P.P.
Add your letter not indicated so clearly your intention to help the poor, you would have offended me not a little by straightway combining your invitation to me with payment –– From my earliest childhood my zeal to serve our poor suffering humanity in any way whatsoever by means of my art has made no compromise with any lower motive; or rather, the only reward I have asked for was the feeling of inward happiness which always attends such actions –– You are receiving herewith an oratorio, the performance of which takes up half an evening, an overture and a fantasia with chorus. [Anderson footnote: “Op. 85, probably one of the overtures to his opera ‘Leonore’ and Op. 80.”] If in the institutions for the poor at Graz there is a storehouse for such wares, then deposit there these three works as an expression of my sympathy for the poor at Graz and as the property of the promoters of concerts for the poor – Furthermore, you are receiving an introduction to the Ruinen von Athen, the score and also a grand overture to Ungarns erster Wohltäter. Both movements belong to two works which I have composed for the Hungarians for the opening of their new theatre. But perhaps you will be so kind as to ensure me in writing that both works will not be given out anywhere else, for they have not been engraved and are not going to be engraved for a considerable time –– You will have the latter grand overture as soon receive it from Hungary, which will certainly be in a few days. Perhaps the amateur pianist at Graz, about whom Professor Schneller told me when he was in Vienna, might be able to perform the engraved fantasia with Chorus [Opus 80] ––
In one chorus (i.e. after No. 4 in C major) the publishers have altered the words, completely disregarding the expression. Hands the words written in pencil above should be sung –– If you could make use of this oratorio I can also send you the parts written out; and thus the expenses would be less heavy for the poor –– You might be so kind as to write to me about this. ––
Your most devoted
Ludwig van Beethoven