Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Breitkopf und Härtel in Leipzig, Wien, 18. November 1806, Autograph

Beethoven is in negotiations with Breitkopf and Härtel, a music publishing house from Leipzig, concerning the sale of his exclusive rights for several compositions. He offers the publisher a license that is mainly restricted to Germany. Beethoven does not want to cede the right for printing his compositions in Britain and France as he hopes to obtain further revenue and appreciation in these countries. Provided that Beethoven can accept orders from abroad, Breitkopf and Härtel will be the only German publishing house with a permission to print and distribute his compositions in Germany for three years. The first pieces offered are the 4th Piano Concert op. 58 and his three String Quartets op. 59. He tells the payment in silver coins he wants to receive for each composition. Once the period agreed with Breitkopf and Härtel has expired, the 4th Symphony op. 60 may be the next composition to be published. (FG)