Friedrich Wilhelm Jähns an Charles John Hargitt in London
Berlin, Freitag, 11. Dezember 1874

Excuse me, for having waited so long with an answer at your letter from the 18th of November. My copier who had to write the Offertorium of Weber made me wait so long. But now I send it with this letter, as well as two little compositions of mine, an “Agnus Dei” and an “Ave Regina”*. Concerning the Offertorium, it is a brillant piece, but more for theater‡ than for church, it was written for the Soprano Sassaroli at the royal church at Dresden and fitted very well for the wishes of King Fr. August I of Saxen‡; who liked very much to see this famous singer emploied in the most brillant manner. | By its wide, big rhythms and beautiful harmonical changes of the piece, it makes a magnificent even brillant effect, though it cannot stated on the same heigth as the Mass E b. It was composed the 1th march 1818. I envy you the pleasure to have exhibited this mass, with orchestre. With pianoforte I have exhibited it completely‡, may be 5 times; Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, separated in my academy, often.

Concerning the affair of the masses of Reissiger, his widow wishes word for word:

„I am willing to have copied for Mr Charles J Hargitt a mass, (the one he exhibited, is the only one printed), and I ask for it, with the copy 10 ₤ = 10 pounds. I do not give the mass to copy, before I have got the aviso of 10 ₤, if you send this aviso of a banker from here, this banker will take care of the mass and its expedition.

I ask you to tell me exactly, which mass mister Hargitt shall have, and‡ I am ready to answer | at all your questions and wishes. Will there be found an editioner o‡for all the masses, also for Reissiger’s “Requiem”, and his Oratorium “David”, and for his “Graduale” which are so beautiful and rich; then I hope to get soon the german masses, which, by the the‡ present King are allowed to be copied, and which are sung every Sunday in the royal church of Pillnitz, a single (but double) quartetto. The german Text King Johann gave to Reissiger to compose.

Still I have to say that Reissiger got the allowance, to take advantages by his compositions for the church, they are not the only property of the royal church.“

So much Mrss. Reissiger; I send her original letter with, but I ask you to send it back to me.

Concerning Mrss. Reissiger’s manner, to ask the honorary, I beg you not to think so of me, I have not given her‡ the least reason to do so, I think you will believe me without assuring you any more.

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If you do not like the message of the money and the copy to be made by a banker, I will be very glad to do you this favour.

Misses Reissiger only speaks of one mass, so I think you will order the one in D moll, it is composed in a very s[t]rict style, and very fine.

Whatever you decide in this affair, I beg you to let me know, because I am interested to know, which mass you get, and how it goes on.

I will be very much enjoied with your songs and all you will send me of your compositions.

The money for the 3 operas, and that for the copy of the Offertorium, please to send to Schlesinger. The copy of the Offertorium costs 1 Thlr. = 3 sh. – I am very much obliged for having corrected the Faults of Oberon. They will all be adjusted by Schlesinger. He thanks also very much.

And now Farewell. With the greatest interest I follow your doing and acting. In cordial friendship
F. W. Jähns.
Prof.