Since you are so very fond of lump sums, I will let you have the works I have mentioned for a fee of 250 gold ducats. But I will not reduce this figure, particularly as with the help of my brother I could obtain more in Vienna. Would to Heaven that in order to get some money out of you I had not always to wrestle with you first. You are receiving herewith the first consignment of works which are to appear before September 1, 1810, and which consists of a violin quartet in Eb, a fantasia for pianoforte, two sonatas for pianoforte, five variations for pianoforte and six ariettas [Opus 74, 77, 78, 79, 76, and 75] –
The second consignment consists of a concerto in Eb, the fantasia with full orchestra and choruses – and three ariettas. All these works are to appear on November 1, 1810 [Opus 73, 80, 83]
The third consignment consists of the characteristic sonata: Der Abschied, Abwesenheit, Das Wiedersehen [Opus 81a] – and also of five Italian ariettas [Opus 82], and also of the score of Egmont which is not being published in England and which you may publish if you like.
These can appear on February 1, 1811.
You will receive these two consignments within a fortnight. Therefore, as I shall send the last two consignments to Herr Kunz & Co, you may send me the draft now for the amount to be paid to me here –
In haste,
Beethoven
NOTES
Egmont is entirely your property.
So that you may receive them without delay, I have despatched [sic] at once to Herr Kunz & Co. the works belonging to the first consignment. Let me add that for several reasons I am convinced that the works mentioned in the first consignment could not possibly appear in London about this time, and still less that a copy of them could reach Germany – The same statement applies to the other works. But certainly it is absolutely essential for your commercial profit that these works should appear on September 1st, I mean, of course, the works belonging to the first consignment. You will find the manuscripts together with the copied works, an arrangement which I have considered most desirable –
I have too little time to deal with all the points which keep on occurring to me. I will write more very soon. Accept my good wishes and do reply quickly.
Your devoted servant
Beethoven