Wagner's Letters

Richard Wagner to B. Schott's Söhne

Undated · Leipzig

Overview

Wagner again sends Schott his two-hand piano score of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, previously returned, asking no fee but only a gift of music in return: Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, the Ninth in full score, two late quartets, and Hummel's arrangements of the symphonies.

Letter

Sir,

I am sending you herewith a piano arrangement for 2 hands of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, which you had in your possession last year, but which, being at that time inundated with manuscripts, you returned to me. I am once again offering you this same piece, which you may put to whatsoever use you wish; I relinquish it to you in perpetuity to dispose of as you think fit. I am not asking for any fee; but if you were to offer me in return some items of sheet music, I should be most deeply indebted to you. Might I therefore ask you to send me, via Herr Wilhelm Härtel: Beethoven’s 1.) Missa Solennis (D major) full score and vocal score. 2.) Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Full score; 3.) Idem: 2 Quartets: full score; and 4.) Hummel’s arrangement of Beethoven’s symphonies? The sooner you were able to fulfil this request, the happier I should be.

I am, Sir,
your most obedient servant,
Richard Wagner.

Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 4

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