Bidspirit Auktion | MOZART WOLFGANG AMADEUS: (1756-1791) In

MOZART WOLFGANG AMADEUS: (1756-1791) In a previously ´ lost´ letter Mozart makes the first known reference to his masterpiece, the ´ Haydn´ Quartets - MOZART WOLFGANG AMADEUS: (1756-1791) Composer from the Electorate of Salzburg, a child prodigy, widely considered the greatest classical music composer of all time. Mozart died at the early age of 35 years, leaving his legacy for posterity, including masterpieces in all musical genre. An exceptionally rare and important A.L.S., Wolfgang Amadé Mozart , one page (with a postscript occupying the upper half of the second page of the bifolium), 4to, Vienna, 26 th April 1783, to [Jean-Georges] Sieber ( ´Monsieur!´ ), in German. Mozart writes to the music publisher Sieber to offer him some compositions, and also confirms that he is currently at work on six quartets, ´Es sind nun bereits 2 Jahre daß ich in Wien bin; - Sie werden vermuthlich wissen von meinen Sonaten auf Piano forte mit Begleitung einer Violin, welche ich hier bey Artaria und Compagnie habe Stechen lassen; - da ich aber mit dem hiesigen Stiche nicht allzusehr zufrieden bin, und wenn ich es auch wäre, Meinem LandsManne in Paris auch einmal wieder möchte etwas zukommen lassen ´ (Translation: ´ It has now been two years since I came to Vienna; you probably know about my sonatas for pianoforte with the accompaniment of a violin, which I had published here by Artaria and Company; however, since I am not very satisfied with the local engraving, and even if I were, I would also like to send something to my compatriot in Paris again´ ), continuing ´ wieder möchte etwas zukommen lassen, so mache ihnen hiemit zu wissen daß ich 3 Clavier-Concerte fertig habe, welche mit ganzem orchester als mit oboen und Horn – wie auch nur à quatro , können producirt werden´ (Translation: ´so I hereby inform you that I have three piano concertos that can be performed with a full orchestra, with oboes and horns, or just à quatro ;´ ), explaining that Artaria would again like to engrave them, but instead offering Sieber the privilege, ´ ich will ihnen also, um alle weitläufigkeit zu vermeiden, den geringsten Preis sagen; - die geben mir 30 Lousid’or dafür, und damit ist unser Handel gemacht´ (Translation: ´so, to avoid any further discussion, I will give them to you for the lowest price; – you give me 30 Louis d'or for them, and that is the end of our business´ ). Mozart then proceeds to inform Sieber that he is presently engaged on another musical project, which the composer evidently regards as being highly important, and would become the famous ´Haydn´ Quartets, which he also offers to the publisher, ´schreibe ich nun a 6 quartetten auf 2 violin, viola und Baßo – wenn sie Diese auch Stechen wollen so gieb ich sie ihnen auch. – mit diesen bin ich aber nicht so wohlfeil – diese 6 quarten kann ich unter 50 Louis d‘or nicht geben´ (Translation: ´ I am now writing a set of 6 quartets for two violins, viola and bass – if you also want to engrave these, I will give them to you as well – However, I cannot let these go as cheaply – I cannot let you have these 6 quartets for under 50 Louis d'or´ ). The composer asks Sieber to send a reply if he is prepared to accept the offer and undertake the printing, adding that he will be able to provide an address in Paris where the music could be collected in exchange for Sieber´s payment. In his postscript Mozart requests that Sieber, ´belieben sie nur über ihren Brief eine Adresse Couvert zu machen mit folgender Adresse: A: Monsieur Monsieur Le Baron Raymund de Wetzlar a Vienne auf der hohen Brücke im kleinen Harbonsteinschen Haue´ (Translation: ´ Please put your letter in an envelope with the following address: A: Monsieur Monsieur Le Baron Raymund de Wetzlar a Vienne on the high bridge in the small Harbonstein house´ ). With integral address leaf ( ´Monsieur Sieber, Editeur de Musique, rue St: honoré, à l´hotel d´Aliger, Paris´ ) bearing two postal cancellations and lacking the original seal (circular area of paper loss and a lengthy, neat split to the central horizontal fold). A letter of salient content in which Mozart not only makes reference to his sonatas for violin and piano, and his pianoforte concertos, but also writes of having commenced composing what would become to be known as the ´Haydn´ quartets. Some very light, minor staining to the centre right area of the letter and with a few small, minor tears and light creasing to the edges, none of which majorly detract from the overall appearance of the letter, the text of which remains bold. About VG Jean-Georges Sieber (1738-1822) German-born French musician and music publisher. Following his marriage in 1770 to Marie-Julie Regnault, who was trained in music engraving, Sieber began his publishing activities, initially publishing works by composers of German origin. These included over fifty symphonies and numerous chamber works by Joseph Haydn, as well as Mozart´s Symphony No. 31 in D major (K.297/300a),