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German composer, conductor, pianist, guitarist, and critic, one of the first significant composers of the Romantic school (1786–1826). ALS in German, signed “C. M. v. Weber,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, September 23, 1812. Handwritten letter to organist, violinist, and music publisher Ambrosius Kuehnel of Leipzig, written from Gotha. In part (translated): "My dearest Friend, I have the honor of sending you here, as agreed upon, the Overture in D Minor, the Concertino and the Variations. Asking you to dress them up nicely would be a superfluous request knowing how tasteful your publications are. I would like to ask you to tackle the Variations as soon as you can, as I intend to present them as a small surprise to my dear student Frau von Wiebeking in Munich. My stay here is so quiet and free of distraction, just as a composer needs it to be, to recover from stumbling from one social whirlwind into the next for seven months in Berlin. I am working hard and loving it. The Duke is very gracious toward me and he is the only person who, every now and then, takes an evening away from me. Prince Frederick, in whose palace I am staying, is not back from Spa yet, but he is expected to return in 8 days. Your cantor Schade will be giving two big concerts in 8 or 10 days in which Spohr, Hermstedt and yours truly [will perform]. Romberg's Glocke ['Bell'] and Schicht's 84th Psalm will also be performed later. I am looking forward to the latter and want to do my very best to contribute to its good execution. The Glocke has rung for me so often that I have quite enough of it."
He adds postscripts at the top and bottom: "If you see something in the titles you think should be changed, I happily leave it up to you. 1000 greetings to Councilor Rochlitz and all acquaintances," and, "I just noticed that the notation of the theme of the Variations is poorly written. I hope your engraver can make sense of it. I arranged it so it can be either sung or played." In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing, and seal-related paper loss to the top blank area, affecting no text.
In September 1812, Carl Maria von Weber accepted a long-standing invitation from Augustus, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, who welcomed him warmly, housed him lavishly, and paid his debts, but whose erratic eccentricity and impulsive demands left Weber physically and mentally exhausted rather than refreshed, as he was frequently compelled—along with court concertmaster Louis Spohr—to travel at a moment’s notice and provide melodramatic musical accompaniments to the Duke’s poetic whims. The Duke was nonetheless a generous patron, and it was to him that Weber dedicated his Piano Concerto No. 2.
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