* * * * *
At Mendelssohn’s request to find a publisher for the work, then called
“Melodies for the Pianoforte,” Moscheles had made arrangements with the
firm of Novello, according to which the composer was to receive a
royalty on each copy sold. From the books of that eminent firm, we
gather that the work was published in 1832, and that on the 11th of
June, 1833, Mendelssohn received £4 16_s._ 0_d._, forty-eight copies
being sold. In 1836, four years after the publication, only one hundred
and fourteen copies had been disposed of. In 1837 Mendelssohn sold the
copyright of the first and third books of “Songs without Words,” three
Preludes and Fugues for the organ, and three Chorales for female voices,
for £35, to Messrs. Novello. We are indebted to Messrs. Littleton of
that firm for the original Assignment, which we reproduce.[18] The
titlepage is a fac-simile of the manuscript in the possession of Felix
Moscheles.[19]
During this stay Mendelssohn conducted his Symphony in A major (the
Italian) for the first time, at one of the Philharmonic concerts. At No.
3 Chester Place he was a constant visitor, ever bright and welcome in a
circle which included Hummel, Malibran, Paganini, Rubini,
Schröder-Devrient, Cramer, etc. On the 17th of May he left for
Düsseldorf, to conduct the Musical Festival on the 28th. From there he
writes:--
* * * * *
DÜSSELDORF, May 31, 1833.
DEAR MRS. MOSCHELES,--_Meâ culpâ_; but I have been more besieged than
ever. I have dropped down on my bed at night unable to write or think,
and scarcely able to speak. That sounds touching, but is true,
nevertheless; so do not be too angry with me.
This is the first day of leisure, and I write to say that, please God, I
shall be back in town on
[Illustration: 8. Fac-simile of Assignment to Mr. Novello.]
Wednesday the 5th, ready to christen, play, conduct, and even to be a
“genius.”
All else verbally. So farewell till we meet.