Autograph letter signed ("Mozart [manupropria]").
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To the great Austrian botanist Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin (1727-1817), asking him to send him three musical scores by way of the messenger: "Ich bitte sie, mir durch überbringer dieses das quartett in g minor, die Sonata in Eb und das Neue Terzett in g zu überschicken". The pieces in question are KV 478 (Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, 1785), KV 481 (Violin Sonata No. 33 in E-flat major, 1785), and KV 496 (Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in G Major). This latter, "new" trio "in g" was completed on 8 July 1786, which fact provides the terminus post quem for dating the letter. KV 478 was published as early as December 1785, the other two would see publication in 1786. While the edition of Mozart's "Briefe und Aufzeichnungen" by Bauer and Deutsch hypothesizes that the composer required the latter two works so as to have them engraved by Hoffmann or to make final corrections before going to press (VI, 298), Wolfgang Rehm (Miscellanea, p. 154) has suggested a different reason why Mozart might have desired to have these pieces returned. In his letter to Sebastian Winter, valet de chambre to the Fürstenbergs (dated August 8th, 1786), in which he made the Prince of Fürstenberg an offer of a number of older as well as recent compositions, Mozart included these three works, clustered together at the end of his list: thus, Mozart's request to Jacquin for the "quartett", "Sonata", and "Terzett" would appear to be in connection with his plans of offering them to the Donaueschingen court. - Mozart knew the Jacquins well and dedicated a considerable number of his works to the family, notably the "Kegelstatt Trio", which was first performed at Jacquin's house in August 1786 with his daughter Franziska at the piano. Mozart gave piano lessons to Franziska and wrote two songs for his son Gottfried, one of the composer's closer friends in Vienna, which were published under Gottfried's name. - Slightly browned and wrinkled, edges irregular. Overall in sound and attractive condition.