by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
Translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
J S Bach to the Town Council
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
Leipzig, 24 Aug 1736 Magnificent, most honourable gentlemen, our wise and learned councilors, distinguished Lords and Patrons, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera... . May it please you to condescend to hear how Herr Johannes Fredrich Eitelwein, a merchant in the town of Leipzig, was married on the twelfth of August of the present year out of town, and therefore thinks himself entitled to withhold the fees due us in all such cases, and has made bold to disregard our many kind reminders. Where as the said fees make up the greater part of our emoluments, a perquisite of this position and no one has hitherto endeavoured to withhold from us our lawful share. We therefore feel compelled to beg you, honoured Lords and Gracious Patrons for this reason to take us under your protection and by your decision to uphold us in our old right and agreed Salario, and further to enjoin upon the said Herr Eitelwein that he remit to us a due proportion of the foresaid marriage fees, together with the costs occasioned, in this instance, which we also claim, with all respect and reverence. Magnificent and honourable gentlemen, most wise and learned councilors, distinguished Lords and Patrons, from your most humble and devoted servant, Johann Sebastian Bach.
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) [text unavailable]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Dominick Argento (1927 - 2019), "J S Bach to the Town Council", 1968 [voice and guitar], from Letters from Composers, no. 4. [ sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-12-16
Line count: 23
Word count: 212