Description
Autograph letter signed, one page, 7,5 x 9,25 inch, Berlin, 27.06.1755, in French, to the bookseller Reich in Leipzig - among other things concerning the gift of a dog, written and signed in black ink "Sulzer", attractively mounted (removable) for fine display with a profil picture of Johann Georg Sulzer (altogether 16,5 x 11,75 inch), with intersecting mailing folds, mild foxing, and restorations at the location of the stamp - in nearly fine condition. Accompanied by an engraved picture.
In parts:
"[...] Je suis tellement enfoncé depuis quelques semaines dans quelques affaires tant littéraires que domestiques, que j'ai oublié les choses mes plus nécessaires. Je suis bien charmé de vous avoir fait quelque plaisir par une chose dont je puis me passer si facilement. Je voudrois avoir l'occasion de vous faire le sacrifice d'une chose à laquelle je serois plus attaché que je n'ai été au petit Daphnis. C'est là le nom que je lui ai donné et auquel il est entièrement accoutumé, permis à sa maîtresse de lui en donner un plus beau. Quant à son entretien, le moins qu'on lui donne de viandes le mieux c'est pour lui, parce que les viandes gâtent les yeux à ces bêtes. De la soupe du pâté ou du biscuit cela lui convient le plus [...]"
Translated:
"[...] I have been so immersed for several weeks in a few affairs, both literary and domestic, that I have forgotten the things I most need. I am very charmed to have given you some pleasure by a thing which I can do without so easily. I would like to have the opportunity to sacrifice to you something to which I would be more attached than I was to little Daphnis. This is the name I gave him and to which he is entirely accustomed, allowing his mistress to give him a prettier one. As for its upkeep, the less meat it is given the better it is for it, because meat spoils the eyes of these beasts. Soup, pâté or biscuit suits him the most [...]"
Further Information on the person
Profession:
(1720-1779 in Berlin) Swiss professor of Mathematics, who later on moved on to the field of electricity. He was a Wolffian philosopher and director of the philosophical section of the Berlin Academy of Sciences, and translator of David Hume's An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals into German in 1755.
Year of Birth: 1730
Johann Georg Sulzer (1720–1779) was an Austrian composer, theorist and musicologist. He is best known for being one of the most influential theorists of the Viennese classical period and for his treatise on music theory, Allgemeine Theorie der schönen Künste (General Theory of the Fine Arts).
Sulzer was born in 1720 in Vienna. He studied music under the guidance of his father, Jacob Sulzer, who was a prominent teacher, theorist, and composer. Sulzer also studied philosophy and mathematics at the University of Vienna. As a musician, Sulzer was involved in the performance of operas, oratorios and cantatas, both as a singer and an instrumentalist.
In 1746, Sulzer published his first treatise on music theory, Grundsätze der musikalischen Komposition (Principles of Musical Composition). This work established him as one of the most influential theorists of the Viennese classical period. He followed this with his major work, Allgemeine Theorie der schönen Künste (General Theory of the Fine Arts). This influential treatise was published in 1771 and was widely praised for its clarity and organization. In it, Sulzer discussed the principles of harmony and counterpoint, as well as the importance of structure and form in music. He also argued for the need for a unified theory of the fine arts.
Sulzer also wrote several other works on music theory, including Elementarlehre der Tonkunst (Elements of Music Theory), and Versuch einer Anleitung zur Composition (Essay on the Theory of Composition). He also wrote extensively on the history of music, including his two-volume work, Geschichte der Musik (History of Music). This work was published in 1773 and is still regarded as one of the most important books on the history of music.
Apart from his theoretical works, Sulzer composed several cantatas, oratorios and other works. He also wrote several operas, including Die schöne Galathee (The Beautiful Galathea). This opera was performed in Vienna in 1774 and was highly praised by the critics. It is still performed today and is considered to be one of the finest works of the Viennese classical period.
Johann Georg Sulzer was one of the most influential theorists of the Viennese classical period. His works are still studied and performed today, and his treatise on music theory, Allgemeine Theorie der schönen Künste, is still regarded as one of the most important works of its kind.
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