Beethoven and His Publishers

Many of Beethoven’s surviving letters were written to his publishers, who, being professional businessmen, preserved them carefully. The Schott publishing firm was one of Beethoven’s most important publishers. Founded in Mainz, Germany, by Bernhard Schott (1748-1809), the firm continued by his sons Johann Andreas Schott (1781-1840) and Johann Joseph Schott (1782-1855) after his death. The firm’s association with Beethoven date back to the composer’s years in Bonn, which makes sense as Mainz, like Bonn, is on the Rhine River and only seventy miles from Bonn. In 1791 the firm published the twenty-year-old composer’s Variations for Fortepiano on Righini’s Arietta “Venni amore,” WoO 65. The brothers did not have contact with Beethoven after he moved to Vienna until 1824, when they wrote the composer to express their desire to publish his latest works. On March 11, 1824, Beethoven offered them the Missa solemnis (described as “my greatest work” in the letter), the Ninth Symphony, and a new string quartet (the late quartet in E-Major, Opus 127). At the letter’s close he explains: “when dealing with these proceedings, do not judge me a businessman, I am not permitted to despise competition [between publishers] even though I am a true artist, by earning money I am able to work faithfully for my muses and am able to provide for very many people in a noble manner—”

Treasure 19

 

Letter to B. Schott’s Sons, November 16, 1824

Gift of Ira F. Brilliant, 2000

Complete English translation
See also entry with more details and downloadable image in the Beethoven Gateway.

Also on display:

First edition of the parts for the String Quartet in E-flat Major, Opus 127, published by B. Schott in Paris, 1826

Gift of Ira and Irma Brilliant, 1992

See entry with more details in the Beethoven Gateway