Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Peter Joseph Simrock in Bonn, Wien, 10. Februar 1820, Abschrift

Beethoven negotiates with the Bonn publisher('s son) Peter Joseph Simrock and asks him for information regarding a complete edition of his works (a plan which Beethoven pursued with several publishers his whole life). He had already asked Simrock but has not yet received an answer.

In reply to Simrock's enquiry regarding new compositions, Beethoven offers him the Scottish Songs op. 108, which he had composed for Thomson in Edinburgh, for 60 gold ducats. Simrock may produce an edition with German and English texts. For 70 gold ducats Simrock may purchase eight varied National Airs (nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10 from op. 107). He also offers the publisher the Missa solemnis op. 123, asking for payment of 125 louis d'or (Beethoven does not, of course, mention that he has only completed the Kyrie and Gloria at this time).

Annoyed, he tells him of the failed attempt to send his nephew Karl to a boarding school in Landshut. The boy's mother had intervened (understandably, as she wanted to prevent her son being sent abroad) and so he had been denied an exit permit.

Beethoven reacts with a lack of understanding to the official letter, "in this respect the Chinese and the Japanese have an advantage over us as they never allow people to leave the country, because at least a different religion, language or customs can be considered to be repulsive to them. But what should one say, if one is not, so to speak, allowed to leave one province for another one, where the religion, etc. is just as good if not perhaps even better?!!!"

Finally Beethoven asks Simrock for a prompt reply to his offer as his financial situation is not particularly good: the Archduke and present Archbishop does not have "enough money to be able to pay his top musical director his due" and in addition he himself has not done very much work ("I have not ploughed my field").