BEETHOVEN'S EARLY CORRESPONDENCE WITH LEIPZIG PUBLISHERS
AN OVERVIEW IN TABLE FORM
OF THE YEARS 1800 - 1806


 



Old View of Leipzig
 




LISTING OF RELEVANT CORRESPONDENCE
FROM THE HENLE-GESAMTAUSABE
Letter No. Datem Sender/Recipient Brief Description
  49  Dec. 15, 1800 LvB to F.A.Hoffmeister Offer of the following works: Septet, Op. 20, 1st Symphony, Op. 21, 2md Piano Concerto, Op. 19, 1st Piano Concerto, Op. 15, 11th Piano Sonata, Op. 22, Quintet, Op. 29
  53  Jan. 7, 1801 F.A.Hoffmeister to LvB Request for indication of prices to the works offered with Letter No. 49
  54  Jan. 15, 1801 LvB to F.A. Hoffmeister Provides requested prices, writes of the "Magazin der Kunst" (art magazine), and of Bach as "Urvater der Harmonie"/"Father of Harmony" 
  55  Jan. 24, 1801 F.A. Hoffmeister to LvB Accepts Beethoven's offer
  57  March 7, 1801 Hoffmeister & Co. Vienna to Hoffmeister & Kühnel, Leipzig Reports of a delay in Beethoven's shipment of the offered works
  59  Apr. 22, 1801 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Reply to the publisher's letter, reference to the AMZ, also to actions in support of Bach's daughter Regina Bach
  60  Apr. 22, 1801 LvB to F.A. Hoffmeister Discusses ordered works, reports of new works: Op. 43 "Prometheus" Ballet, String Quartets, Op. 18
  61  Apr. 25, 1801 Hoffmeister & Co. Vienna to Hoffmeister & Kühnel, Leipzig Shipment of these works:  Op. 19, Op. 20 and Op. 21
  62  May 21, 1801 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Discussed: Susanna Regina Bach, Beethoven's composition in support of her, request of a Beethoven portrait 
  64  June 22 or 23,  1801 LvB to F.A. Hoffmeister Provision of titles to Op. 19 - Op. 22
  68  July 11, 1801 LvB to F.A. Hoffmeister, but in Vienna Request for a meeting
  69  appr. Oct. 17, 1801 LvB to Hoffmeister & Kühnel Sends dedication of the 1st Symphony to Baron van Swieten
  71  Nov. 21, 1801 F.A. Hoffmeister to LvB Commission of a Sonata by Countess  Kielmannsegge and specifications with respect to it
  72  Nov. 27, 1801 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Discussion of the composition for Bach's daughter, and of Beethoven's portrait
  73  Dec. 2, 1801 Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna to Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig Discussed:  Op. 18, Op. 21, Op. 19 und Op. 22.
  74  Dec. 2, 1801 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Discussed: Op. 21, Op. 19
  75  Dec. 12, 1801 Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna to Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig Discussed:  free copies of  Op. 19 and Op. 21
  76  Dec. 19, 1801 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Discussed: Etching errors in Op. 19, Op. 22 described as very beautiful
  78  Febr. 17, 1802 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Reminder of commissioned sonata
  79   Febr. 22, 1802 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Discussed: Commissioned sonata, free copies of Op. 20
  80  March 13, 1802 Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna to Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig LvB expecting Sonata, Op. 22, mentioned: Beethoven's travel plans, Op. 20
  81  Mar. 28,  1802 Kaspar Karl van Beethoven (hereinafter referred to as KKvB) to Breitkopf & Härtel Offer of these works: Op. 29, Op. 36 and Op. 37
  82  Apr. 3, 1802 Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna to Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig Thanks for shipment to LvB, satisfactory: Op. 19 und Op. 21, Discussion of the "Kielmannsegge" Sonata
  83  Apr. 5 o5 6, 1801 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Accepts offer of Op. 29, payment of fee through the Viennese partner, Kunz & Co., request for written proof of ownership of Op. 36 and Op. 37.
  84  Apr. 8, 1802 Beethoven to Hoffmeister & Kühnel Reply to the Sonata request, contains Beethoven's famous, lively comment, confirmation that Op. 22 has been printed beautifully.  Request for publication of the Septet, Op. 20, report of faulty publication by Mollo of Op. 18 
  85  Apr. 22, 1802 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Discussed:  Shipment of copy of Op. 29, offer of Op. 30, mention of refused academy concert, also of works dedicated to Countess von Braun, of Op. 36 and Op. 37, asks publisher to wait since those works were still needed, attachment:  Letter no. 86 
  86  Apr. 22, 1802 LvB to Breifkopf & Härtel Greetings to the publisher, reference to letter no. 85. 
  88  May 1, 1802 Countess Kielmannsegge to A. Kühnel Cancels commission of Sonata from Beethoven, since his price is considered too high  
  89  May 8, 1802 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Conveys cancellation of Kielmannsegge Sonata, see letter no. 88. 
  90  June 1, 1802 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Reference to: Sonata offcer, Letter no. 85, repetition of the same; also mentioned: arrangements for piano sonatas and for other instruments by  Franz Xaver Kleinheinz
  91  June 8, 1802 Breitkopf & Härtel to KKvB Confirmation of offer of piano sonata, however, conditions described as unfavorable to the publisher.  
  92  June 10, 1802 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Reference to LvB-Brief letter of the beginning of June that has not been preserved and to Letter no. 91, discusses meagre economic prospects for collected editions of composers' works, based on pirate prints, confirmation of prices, receipt by Kunz.  
  93  June 19, 1802 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Announcement of the delay of shipment of the Septets, 'Compensation':  new edition of Op. 26, originally published by Cappi in Vienna
  94  June 23, 1802 KKvB to the Editor of the AMZ Reference to AMZ letter to him, not preserved.
  95  June 30, 1802 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Announcement of 5 fee copies of the  Septet for LvB 
  97  July 13, 1802 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Glad that the publisher did not accept the arranged pieces, famous LvB comment about "unnatural eagerness" etc.  
  98  July 14, 1802 LvB to Hoffmeister & Kühnel Refers to non-appearance of a Leipzig businessman that was supposed to see him in Vienna.  Expresses displeasure with the Septet, request for news from Leipzig 
 100  July 24, 1802 Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna to Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig Thanks for free copies received by LvB, displeasure with the fact that the Septet has been printed in two parts
 101  Aug. 25, 1802 Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna to Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig Reference to arrangement of Op. 20 as Quintet, price too high 
 102  Sept. 4, 1802 Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna to Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig Report of LvB's hesitance to tell them of new, free works of his 
 103  Sept. 25, 1802 KKvB to F.A. Hoffmeister New works: only 6 or 7 variations for piano, in a new manner, arrangment for violin, violoncello and clarinet of the Septet, Op. 20  
 104  Sept. 25, 1802 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Request for new LvB works, only want to correspond with him directly, but not with his brother  
 105  Sept. 25, 1802 Hoffmeister & Kühnel to LvB Recommends that F.A. Hoffmeister only wants to negotiate with LvB, himself  
 107  Oct. 18, 1802 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Offer of two Variation works,  Op. 34 and Op. 35, 2 Adagios for Violin, Op. 40 and Op. 50, request to insert announcement into the AMZ  
 108  Oct. 18, 1802 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Discussed: Variations Op. 34 and Op. 35, sales figures for his works
 109  Nov. 3, 1802 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Accepts Op. 34 and Op. 35 for 50#, payment through Kunz & Co. in Vienna, of pirate etchings,  Quintet Op. 29 having been etched, Beethoven's illness, his opera work, libretto by   Friedrich Rochlitz, thanks for Op. 40 and Op. 50.
 110  Nov. 13, 1802 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Pirate print of Op. 29 by Artaria, revers signed, copies "corrected" by  Ries 
 112  Nov. 20, 1802 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Blame LvB for the pirate print of Op. 29
 118  Dec. 4, 1802 Georg August Griesinger to Breitkopf & Härtel Comment on the pirate print of Op. 29
 119  Dec. 5, 1802 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Complains about the tone of Letter No. 112, explains granting of temporary exclusive rights to LvB's works by to his patrons 
 120  Dec. 8, 1802 Griesinger to Breitkopf & Härtel Report of his success in his negotiations between the publisher and Beethoven
 121  Dec. 11, 1802 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Publisher's attempt at calming Beethoven down, enquiry with respect to Op. 34 and Op. 35
 122  Dec. 18, 1802 Griesinger to Breitkopf & Härtel Suggestions with respect to Op. 29
 123  appr. Dec. 18, 1802 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Shipment of Op. 34 and Op. 35, coment on the Variations
 125  Jan. 22, 1803 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Announcement of works that are ready to be printed: Op. 36, Op. 37, for 600 florins, Ouverture and No. 8, No. 10 and No. 16 of Op. 43, for 60#; suggestion of subscription for 3 sonatas (not realized), enquiry about Schiller's works 
 126  Jan. 28, 1803 Breitkopf & Härtel to KKvB Thanks for list of new works, doubts with respect to the economic viability/success of LvB's works; shipment of Op. 29, 500 florins counter-offer for Op. 36 and Op 37; offer with respect to Op. 43 'postponed'; reference to advantage of movable letters; reply to KKvB's reference to the announcement of Op. 29 
 127  Febr. 12, 1803 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Reference to Op. 29 not having been announced, yet by Mollo; reference to court decreee; indications of dedications to Op. 34 and Op. 35; LvB's engangement by the Wieden theathre and his work on an opera ('Vestas Feuer').
 128  March 3, 1803 Breitkopf & Härtel to KKvB Request for an indication if LvB would accept the offer of 500 florins for Op. 36 and Op. 37; request for opus numbers to the Variations, Op. 34 and Op. 35,  also for clarification with respect to the numbers of variations, request for the dispatch of an attachment to Anton Reicha; enquiry with respect to sonatas for four hands for piano and for a cantata, with respect to this, suggestion of the supplying of a text for it  
 129  Mar. 26,  1803 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Reply regarding Op. 36 and Op. 37, report that both works have been sold to the Kunst-und Industriekontor for 700 florins; Sonata offer refused on grounds of paltry fee; announcement of offer of further works; number of variations in Op. 34 and Op. 35: asks the publisher to check this, himself; indication of opus numbers of these works.  
 133  Apr. 8, 1803 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Discussion of the number of variations in Op. 34 and Op. 35; request for the sending of proofs of works that are to be published; change of the dedication of Op. 35 to Count Moritz Lichnowsky; thanks for Bach works; request for the text to the cantata. 
 135  Apr. 16, 1803 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Enquiry with respect to the cantata; reference to text book  
 138  May 21, 1803 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Request for copies of the variations, half of them to Träg, the other half to  Sonnleitner, in one parcel; request for insertion of announcement in the AMZ with respect to faulty publication of the   "Nägeli"-Sonatas; offer of the Overture to Op. 43, 3rd Symphony Op. 55.
 140 End of May/Beg. of June, 1803 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Announces a list of errors in the  "Nägeli"-Sonatas; afraid of errors in Variations, Op. 34 and Op. 35; request for proofs of works to be published; reference to the original theme from the Prometheus Ballet, request to add this at his cost; postponement of cantata poem  
 141  June 2, 1803 Breitkopf & Hätel to LvB Variations have been etched, but only Op. 34 had been printed, copies to be sent; Nägeli insertion accepted; want to become sole publisher of Beethoven's works (as a means against pirate prints), thanks for Kleinheinz offer, postponed
 146  June 30, 1803 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Reminder regarding the list of errors to the Nägeli Sonatas; the 2nd Viariation work is still to be printed, with a changed title, reminder of composition for Bach's daughter Regina  
 153  Aug. 27, 1803 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel. Newer works mentioned: Son. Op. 49, early variations, Op. 121a or Op. 44, WoO 28, Op. 40 and Op. 50, with price notations by Härtel
 154  Sept. 10, 1803 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Accepting the following works: Op. 44, Op. 39, Overture Op. 43, Op. 41 and Op. 42.
 156  Sept. 20, 1803 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Reference to KKvB's offer, letter no. 153, rejected, reference to announcement of publication of Beethoven works by Zulehner in Mainz.
 157  Sept. 20, 1803 LvB to Hoffmeister & Kühnel Declaration of ownerships to the agreed-upon works, see letter no. 154, price of 50# accepted 
 158  betw. Sept. 15 and 27,  1803 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Offer of 300 florins for: WoO 78 + 79, WoO 129, Op. 45, reference to copies of Op. 34, not correct, fear that Op. 35 will also be full of errors.  Composition for Bach's daughter postponed to the winter, "infamous" treatment by Viennese theaters mentioned 
 159  Sept. 28, 1803 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Sending of "Bankozettel"; acceptance of Beethoven's works, declaration of ownership asked of LvB
 163  Oct. 14, 1803 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Discussed/offered:  Symphony and Concerto; reference to '2 symphonies' (GA: Op. 55, sketches to Op. 68 and Op. 67 in the Eroica sketchbook), unfinished Concertante, request for name of AMZ reviewer of the Oratorio 
 164  Oct. 22, 1803 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Offer of fee for works offered in letter No. 163: 500 florins, asking for terms/conditions for the Oratorio 
 165  Oct. 23, 1803 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Request for the insertion of a warning by LvB re Zulehner in Mainz; repeat of request for the name of oratorio reviewer 
 168  Nov. 2, 1803 Breitkopf & Härtel to KKvB Agrees to print warning in the AMZ
 171  Nov. 22, 1803 KKvB and LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Rejection of the offer of 500 florins, agrees with respect to the oratorio, extends permission to have a piano reduction and a quartet arrangement of it prepared; LvB recommends instrument builders by the name of Poback and Moser; price notes by Härtel to several works 
 172  Dec. 5, 1803 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB According to the GA, the content is not known
 174  Dec. 23, 1803 Hoffmeister & Kühnel in Leipzig to Hoffmeister & Co. in Vienna Reports that 2 etchings of 6 LvB works ordered in September have been prepared 
 176  Jan. 4, 1804 LvB to Johann Friedrich Rochlitz in Leipzig Returns an unfinished, unknown opera libretto; reports of his difficulties with Schikaneder
  188  Aug. 26, 1804 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Denies to have entered an exclusive contract with a Viennese publisher; complains about the late or delayed publication of his works by publishers; want to see several works published quickly by them; offer consists of the Oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives, the 3rd Symphony Op. 55, Op. 56, Op. 53, Op. 54 and Op. 57, for 2000 florins.
 189  Aug. 30, 1804 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB They can not accept the offer of Aug. 26th as extended; in particular, the Oratorio would create financial problems and problems with sales; for that work, they want to only give LvB free copies instead of money, and money only for the other works
 194  Oct. 10, 1804 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Suggestion with respect to the oratorio will be considered; names price of 1100 florins for the other 5 works; wants to know the publication date; asks for opinion with respect to violin quartets.  
 198  Nov. 3, 1804 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Accept price of 1100 florins; request for written ownership declaration; name Griesinger as payment middleman; request for indication of dedications to the offered works and for more information with respect to the quartets 
 199  Nov. 24, 1804 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Agrees to requested deadlines with respect to the above-noted works, promises shipment of Op. 53 and Op. 56 in 12 or 14 days, of Op. 44 and 2 sonatas in another 14 days; complete shipment not possible due to LvB's opera work; refers to copyist, probably Wenzel Schlemmer; promises 'security papers' with next return mail 
 200  Nov. 24, 1804 Griesinger to Breitkopf & Härtel Reports of LvB's lacking willingness to deliver works, also with respect to the ownership document, does not appear to get along well with KKvB; reports that for Op. 55, LvB received 700 florins from Prince Lobkowitz and also a present of 80 gold ducats; assumes that this is similar with other works; refers to KKvB's letter (no. 199) as attachment; points out that the latter is hesitant with respect to the ownership declaration; 5 works are supposed to be shipped in instalments; Griesinger insists on one shipment and one payment
 204  Dec. 4, 1804 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Confirms terms with respect to the shipment and paymentof the works ordered from LvB, insists on notarially certified ownership declaration 
 205  Dec. 22, 1804 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Reminds of works, refers to delay of the publication by 3 - 4 months due to this; requests a reply for clarification, payment left with Kunz & Co. is being called back 
 209  Jan. 6, 1805 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Refers to already sent shipment that might not have been received, yet, which contains Op. 55, probably also Op. 53 and Op. 56; the remainder of the works is supposed to follow, soon; refers to lack of good copyists, also to ill health in winter; reference to enclosed, small song 
 210  Jan. 30, 1805 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Reminder with respect to Op. 56, the third sonata and Op. 85, the oratorio; expresses hunch of difficulties due to "middleman" 
 211  Feb. 1, 1805 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Probably concerns shipment of the parts to Op. 85, but not of the score, since that has not been prepared, comments to the production 
 212  Feb. 12, 1805 KKvB to Breitkopf & Härtel LvB's instructions regarding Op. 55; reference to WoO 136, Op. 55: the publisher is supposed to have a piano reduction made out of it, also a quintet; recommends Moser in Vienna in case no-one is available in Leipzig, otherwise, Cappi in Vienna will have these arrangements made; other works discussed:  Op. 36 and the last of the 3 piano sonatas; the score to Op. 85 is supposed to follow soon 
 213  Feb. 20. 1805 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Remidner re. Op. 56 and the 3rd piano sonata, can not guarantee agreed-upon publication date 
 218  Apr. 18, 1805 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Apologies on account of the delay of the shipment of Op. 56 and of the 3rd piano sonata, names bad copyizsts as readon; the works are supposed to follog in 4 - 6 ***;  request for immediate etching of the already shipped works so that they can be published within 2 months; request for payment of 700 florins for the shipped works and for 400 florins for the still missing works later; the money is supposed to be set to  Kunz & Co.; otherwise, the deal will be cancelled; Prince Lichnowsky is supposed to send off the score toOp. 85 by the end of April; proceeds of the performance of Op. 55 and Op. 85 in Leipzig earmarked for Bach's daughter 
 223  May  1805 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Regrets and confirms late arrival of publisher's letter dated January 30th (according to the GA this letter has not been preserved); refers to "Paris" letter of the publisher mentioned therein, according to which LvB wanted to publish the works given to Leipzig in Paris, as well; delay of Op. 56 and 3rd piano sonata due to KKvB's error in estimating copying time; asks that the works be returned since the fee was too low; the oratorio was to stay in Leipzig, for the time being, for the performance, and after that it could be had for 500 florins 
 226  June 21,1805 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Gives up on the offered and delivered works, will be returned with the next post; refer to future negotiations without a middleman; returned were:  Op. 85, 2 Piano Sonatas, Op. 53 and Op. 54, Op. 55.
 242  Feb. 1, 1806 Ambrosius Kühnel to LvB Renewal of contact, request for works 
 243  Mar. 27,1806 KKvB to A. Kühnel Offer of the following works: Op. 58, Op. 85, for 600 florins
 249  Apr. 12, 1806 A. Kühnel to LvB Request for information on Op. 58 and on the new opera, Op. 72.  Hesitates with respect to Op. 85.
 254  Jul. 5, 1806 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Announces KKvB's Leipzig travel plans and the works that he is supposed to bring along:  Leonore Overture (piano reduction), Op. 85, Op. 58, Op. 59; in the event of their arriving at a contract, he wants to send a piano reduction and the scroe of Op. 72; complains about article in the AMZ regarding Op. 55, sends greetings to  Rochlitz and Kantor Müller
 255  Jul. 11, 1806 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Publisher is interested in Op. 58, 59, 72 and 85, greetings to Leipzig men a joke?
 256  Sept. 3, 1806 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Promises not to give works earmarked for them to anyone else in Germany; offer of Op. 58, Op. 58, Op. 60, Op. 72, Op. 85. Greetings to Leipzig men not a joke
 257  Sept. 13, 1806 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Request for indication of the fee for the fee of the above-noted works; if acceptable and exclusive to them: contract for 3 years 
 260  Nov. 18, 1806 LvB to Breitkopf & Härtel Request for reply to his offer, contract for 3 years alright, if works can also be published in England, Scotland or France, otherwise, they would be their exclusive property; 600 floring sfor Op. 59, 300 florins for Piano Concerto, in convention money; Aviso to the exchange agent; Symphony (Op. 60) to follow soon 
 261  Nov. 26, 1806 Breitkopf & Härtel to LvB Rejects offer of the works on the grounds of unfavorable economic conditions due to the war