I have left with Herr Kunz & co. a sextet for two clarinets, two bassoons and two horns [Opus 71], and two German Lieder or songs [WoO 136, WoO 137], with the request that they be forwarded to you as soon as possible – You must regard them as gifts in return for all the works which I have requested you to send me as presents – moreover I had forgotten the Music-Zeitung and therefore wish to remind you of it in a friendly way – Perhaps you could arrange for me to receive editions of Goethe’s and Schiller’s complete works – Such works flow into your literary coffers as a matter of course;. And then in return for several works of that kind I will send you something which will flow out into the whole world – These two poets are my favourites, as are also Ossian and Homer, though unfortunately I can read the latter only in translations – Since all you have to do is to hand out these two poets – Goethe and Schiller from your literary treasury, you will afford me the greatest pleasure – NB. If you will let me have them soon – the more so as I am hoping to spend the rest of the summer at some pleasant country spot –
The sextet is one of my early works and, what is more, was composed in one night [Anderson footnote: “Op. 71 was composed in 1796 or possibly earlier, but was not performed until April, 1805.”] – All that one can really say about it is that it was written by a composer who has produced at any rate a few better works – Yet some people think that works of that type are the best –
. Accept my good wishes and let me hear from you very soon.
Your most devoted
Beethoven
I should like to have a few more copies of the violoncello sonata [Opus 69]; and, in general, please send me always half a dozen copies – I never sell any – but here and there I come across poor musici, to whom I cannot refuse copies of my works.