MARBELLA, SPAIN .- International Autograph Auctions Europe SL, Europe’s leading specialists in autograph and manuscript auctions has announced the exciting discovery of a highly important letter by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. One of the most significant composers in the history of Western music, Mozart’s cultural contributions to the world, with more than 800 works in virtually every classical genre, are profound. He is celebrated for his perfection and elevated the different genres such as the symphony, sonata, quartets and opera to new artistic heights. His compositions have captivated audiences for centuries and continued to be enjoyed to this day. A child prodigy recognized as the greatest classical music composer of all time, Mozart sadly died at the young age of 35. The letter was written in the last decade of the genius’ life.

International Autograph Auctions Europe, SL will auction a n exceptionally rare and recently discovered letter dated 1783. The letter is one of the most important to appear at auction in many years be discovered and was thought to be “lost” before its discovery. It is the first time this letter has appeared at auction. It carries an estimate of 100,000-150,000€ ($105,000-$155,000 USD).

The document provides a fascinating glimpse into Mozart’s thoughts and musical composure. The letter, which is addressed to Jean-Georges Sieber in Paris, contains what scholars believe to be the first known reference Mozart makes of his famous six-string quartets known as the Haydn Quartets. A treasure such as this has remarkably stood the test of time having been saved for almost 250 years.

Only 27 years old at the time of his writing the letter, Mozart demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit, candidly negotiating the publication prices for his music.

The extraordinary details found in the letter also offer insight into Mozart’s creative process. He would reportedly compose his entire works in his mind before transcribing them, maintaining complete instrumental details without physically writing them down.

This very important “lost” letter was penned in Vienna, on 26th April 1783. Mozart writes the music publisher Sieber to offer him several compositions and confirms that he is currently at work on six quartets. “It has now been two years since I came to Vienna; you probably know about my sonatas for pianoforte with the accompaniment of a violin, which I had published with Artaria and Company however, since I am not very satisfied with the local engraving and even if I were, I would also to send something to my compatriot in Paris again,” he writes and continues “so I hereby inform you that I have three piano concertos that can be performed with a full orchestra, with oboes and horns.”

Mozart made sure to also mention how important these compositions were. The significance of this letter is compelling given that this is the first time Mozart reveals that he is composing what will later be known as the “Haydn” Quartets, and which the composer believed to be very much advanced.

The “Haydn” Quartets were finished by Mozart in 1785 and dedicated to Joseph Haydn, the composer who has been called the “father of the string quartet.” Upon hearing them all in early 1785, Haydn remarked to Mozart’s father, Leopold, “Before God, and as an honest man, I tell you that your son is the greatest composer known to me either in person or by name. He has taste and what is more, the most profound knowledge of composition.”

Ultimately, Sieber rejected Mozart’s offer and Artaria & Co. published the quartets in September of 1785 paying Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 100 ducats for the publishing rights. In today’s market 100 ducats would be worth over $30,000 USD.



Most extraordinary about the discovery by International Autograph Auctions Europe, SL is the fact that the content of the letter has been published in numerous books with the assumption that the original had been lost. Now being offered for the first time, the letter has been located by the auctioneers in the archives of a distinguished French family. The importance of such a letter cannot be denied and offers an intimate look into the legendary composer’s professional life during his final decade.

The auction of this remarkable piece of classical music history takes place on Thursday, December 5th , 2024. More details of the lengthy letter can be found by clicking here.

International Autograph Auctions Europe SL (autographauctions.eu) was founded in 2011 and has gained the reputation of being Europe’s leading specialist auctioneers of autograph letters, manuscripts, historical documents and signed photographs. The auction house sells individual items, collections and rarities. International Autograph Auctions Europe SL has an expanding global client base complemented by international media coverage on some of the most fascinating autograph collections of all time.