Kaspar Karl van Beethoven, Brief an Breitkopf & Härtel in Leipzig, Wien, 24. November 1804, Autograph

Karl explains to the publisher Härtel in Leipzig the way the works he is interested in are to be sent. He suggests that a sonata (probably op. 53) and the triple concerto will be sent within two weeks. Two weeks later he will then deliver two further sonatas (probably opp. 54 and 57), and the Symphony op. 55 will then follow two weeks after that.

Karl explains that this plan will ensure everything runs more smoothly. By delivering the works in succession it means that production will not be so hectic. Furthermore his brother is busy working on his opera (op. 72) so that he does not have time to look through too many works in one go. At this time they also only have one good copyist (Wenzel Schlemmer?) to hand, to whom they can entrust this kind of work.

Karl promises to enclose the necessary documents of ownership for Härtel in the first package. He puts off the publisher regarding an exact delivery date for the quartets (Karl had offered Härtel op. 59 in advance, even though they were still in the planning phase and were only completed in 1806).