To: Breitkopf & Härtel, Leipzig
Vienna, March 28, [1809]

 

Most highly honoured Sir!

       I am letting you have the small corrections in the symphonies [Opus 67, 68] – Be sure to have the passages corrected in the plates at once – The title of the symphony in F is: Pastoral Symphony or Recollection of Country Life, an expression of feeling rather than a description – In the Andante of this symphony another indication should be added in the bass part: at the very beginning:

       due violoncelli solo primo e secondo con sordino
       gli violoncelli tutti coi bassi.

       You stated that you had found another mistake in the third movement of the symphony in C minor? [Opus 67] – I don’t remember what kind of mistake it can be – It is always best to send me the proofs with the score which you have received.  Everything will be returned to you in a few days – I should much prefer you to do exactly the same thing with the trios and the violoncello sonata too [Opus 70, 69] – If you have not yet printed the title of the violoncello sonata, you may still dedicate it ‘To my friend the Baron etc.’ [Anderson footnote: “The title, with the simple wording in French ‘à Monsieur le Baron de Gleichenstein’, had already been engraved.”] – So far as I know, I sent you only two trios.  Hence there must be some mistake here.  Can it be that Wegener has perhaps played a joke on us and added a third trio of his own invention or one composed by somebody else? – In order to void any mistake I am jotting down the themes of the movements –

       I will reply very soon to the other points in your letter; and I send you my best regards –

In haste,
                                               Wholly your
                                                                 Beethoven