To: Breitkopf & Härtel, Leipzig
Vienna, May 6, 1811

                                                           P.P.

       Mistakes –– mistakes –– you yourself are a unique mistake –– Well, I shall have to send my copyist to Leipzig or go there myself, unless I am prepared to let my works –– appear as nothing but a mass of mistakes – – Apparently the tribunal of music at Leipzig can’t produce one single efficient proof-reader; and to make matters worse, you send out the works before you receive the corrected proofs In major works consisting of several parts one should at least count the bars –– But in the case of the fantasia [Opus 80] and so forth one can see what has happened –– Please note that a whole bar is missing from the pianoforte arrangement of the overture to Egmont [Anderson footnote: “This pianoforte arrangement of the overture of Op. 84, made by Beethoven himself, was published by Breitkopf & Härtel in February, 1811.”] ––

        Here is the list –– of the mistakes [errata].

        My warmest thanks for stirring me up so vigorously for such an interesting undertaking –– All good wishes. I hope for an improvement –– The fantasia [Opus 80] has already been despatched and the sonata [Opus 81a] too will be sent off from here tomorrow – – Make as many mistakes as you like, have as many mistakes made as you like All the same I do esteem you very highly.  As you know, it is the custom with human beings to esteem one another for not having made even greater mistakes ––

                                       Your most devoted servant
                                                                                Beethoven

       NB.  Note well in my corrected copy of the concerto [Opus 73] that in the first violin part in the first Allegro, Page 5, line 7, first bar

                                         

The piano is put under these notes but not, as you have it, under the violin
notes ––