Sir,
For some time past I have made Beethoven's last glorious symphony the subject of my deepest study, and the more I come to recognise the high value of this work the more I regret that it should remain almost entirely unrecognised and unheeded by the greater part of the musical public. A suitable pianoforte arrangement seemed to me the way to make this masterpiece more accessible, and such, to my great regret, I have never met with, for Czerny's four-handed arrangement is obviously inadequate.
Feeling very strongly on this subject, I have myself ventured to attempt the arrangement of this symphony for two hands, and have so far succeeded in rendering the first, and perhaps most difficult, movement with all possible clarity and fullness. I now therefore desire to approach your much-respected firm with the question as to whether they might feel inclined to take up such an arrangement, for I am naturally unwilling to carry so laborious a task any farther without this assurance. Had I this assurance I would set about the work forthwith and complete what I have begun.
I therefore humbly solicit a speedy reply, and beg to assure you of my diligence in anything which I undertake. I am, Sir, your humble servant,
Richard Wagner.
My address is Leipzig, im Pichhof vorm Hallischen Tore, 1 Treppe.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 1