Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847)
Autograph letter signed (‘Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy’) to his publisher Adolph Martin Schlesinger, n.p. [Berlin], 2 March 1830
In German. One page, 262 x 224mm. Provenance: Sotheby’s, 21 & 22 May 1987, lot 623.

On the publication of Mendelssohn’s Lieder Opp. 8 and 9, providing insight into the music publication process during this period. Mendelssohn writes frustratedly to his publisher, whom he effectively accuses of delaying the publication of his Lieder, since a week has already passed since the publisher’s own deadline. He sets out his terms: ‘I repeat to you here, to avoid misunderstanding: 10 Louis d’or and 6 complementary copies of each book’.

Schlesinger published only one other of Mendelssohn’s works, his first symphony in C minor. Several of the songs in Opp. 8 and 9 are by Fanny Mendelssohn.