VI.
To Capellmeister Hofmeister in Leipzig.
Vienna, 15th (or something like it),
January, 1801.
With great pleasure, my dearly beloved brother and friend, have I read your letter. I thank you right heartily for the good opinion you have expressed concerning me and my works, and hope I may prove myself really worthy of it. Please also convey my dutiful thanks to Herr K. for his courtesy and friendly feelings towards me.
Your undertakings likewise make me glad, and I hope, if works of art can procure gain, that it will fall to the lot of genuine true artists, rather than to mere shopkeepers. That you wish to publish the works of Sebastian Bach rejoices my heart, which beats in unison with the high art of this forefather of harmony, and I desire soon to see the scheme in full swing. I hope that here, so soon as golden peace has been proclaimed, I shall be able to be of great assistance in the matter, when you issue a subscription list. As regards our special business, since you wish it, I hope this may be to your liking: I now offer you the following: Septet (concerning which I have already written to you; by arranging it for pianoforte, it would become better known and be more profitable) 20 ducats, Symphony 20 ducats, Concerto 10 ducats, Solo Sonata (Allegro, Adagio, Minuetto, Rondo) 20 ducats. This Sonata is A1, dearest brother! Now for a word of explanation; you will perhaps be surprised that I here make no difference between Sonata, Septet, Symphony, because I find that there is not such a demand for a Septet or a Symphony as for a Sonata; that is why I do so, although a Symphony is undoubtedly of greater value (N.B.—the Septet consists of a short introductory Adagio, then Allegro, Adagio, Minuetto, Andante with Variations, Minuetto, another short introductory Adagio, and then Presto). The Concerto I only value at 10 ducats, because, as I have already written, I do not give it out as one of my best. All things considered, I do not think you will find this excessive; any how I have tried to name prices for you as moderate as I possibly could. Concerning the money order, since you leave me the choice, you could make it payable at Geimüller's or Schüller's. The full amount would therefore be 70 ducats for all four works. I do not understand any other money than Viennese ducats; how many thalers and gulden that makes, is no affair of mine, for I am a bad business man and reckoner.
There is an end of the troublesome business. So I name it, because I only wish it could be otherwise in the world. There ought to be an artistic depôt where the artist need only hand in his art-work in order to receive what he asks for. As things are, one must be half a business man, and how can one understand,—good heavens!—that's what I really call troublesome. As for the Leipzig O (?) let them just go on talking; they will never by their chatter confer immortality on any one, neither can they take it away from any one for whom Apollo has destined it. Now, may heaven have you and yours in its keeping. For some time I have not been well; and so it is now somewhat difficult for me to write notes, still more so alphabet letters. I hope that we shall often have opportunity to assure ourselves that you are a great friend to me, and that I am
Your devoted
brother and friend,
L. v. Beethoven.