Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Louis Schlösser, Wien, 6. Mai 1823, Autograph

The violinist and composer Louis Schlösser came to Vienna in April 1822, leaving for Paris in May 1823. On his departure Beethoven wrote the canon WoO 185 in his album. Shortly before he left, the composer gave Schlösser two letters for Luigi Cherubini and Maurice Schlesinger, which were enclosed with this letter. Beethoven asks Schlösser to deliver them in Paris. Neither letter has survived. In the letter to Schlesinger Beethoven asks whether his Piano Sonata op. 111 has already been published. He also instructs Schlösser to ask Schlesinger the same. Beethoven turned to Cherubini asking him to act as an intermediary with the French king, to whom Beethoven wishes to sell a subscription copy of the Missa solemnis. Cherubini probably never received this letter, but the king still subscribed, as Beethoven had already written to him in March 1823.

As far as Beethoven was concerned Cherubini was the greatest contemporary composer. He greatly admired his operas and copied out excerpts to study them more closely. He therefore also asks Schlosser to not only send best wishes to Cherubini but to also enquire after a new opera. Cherubini on the other hand was very reserved towards Beethoven and by no means returned his admiration. He thought him boorish and his setting of texts (with regard to Beethoven's opera Fidelio) not very well done.