Typewritten letter with handwritten additions from Furtwängler to Schenker, dated May 30, 1930 [printed address, typed date] Sehr verehrter Herr Schenker! Soeben hörte ich von Herrn Professor Straube1, wie die Sache mit Ihrem Vertrag abgelaufen ist.2 Ich bin empört darüber und habe meinerseits noch einmal an die Inhaber von Breitkopf & Härtel geschrieben. Ich werde Mitte des Monats selbst nach Leipzig kommen und werde auch selbst Gelegenheit nehmen, persönlich mit den Herren zu sprechen.3 Ich würde Sie sehr bitten um eine Nachricht, wie lange Sie die Abgabe des Werkes an Herzka4 hinausziehen können? Ich würde evtl. dann auch einmal versuchen, mit dem Max Hesse-Verlag5 Fühlung zu nehmen, der bekanntlich die Bücher von Kurth6 in Vertretung hat. Ich finde das ganze eine Kulturschande7 und werde es, soweit es an mir liegt, nicht auf sich beruhen lassen.8 Von meiner Niederlegung der Wiener Stellung werden Sie wohl gehört haben.9 Leider werde ich auf diese Weise wohl auch sehr lange nicht die Freude haben, Sie persönlich zu sehen. Jedenfalls wäre ich Ihnen dankbar, wenn Sie mir mitteilten, wann Sie ins Gebirge gehen und wohin. Vielleicht können wir uns im Sommer einmal treffen. Für heute in grosser Eile mit schönsten Grüssen [typwritten:] © Heirs of Wilhelm Furtwängler, published with kind permission. |
Typewritten letter with handwritten additions from Furtwängler to Schenker, dated May 30, 1930 [printed address, typed date] Most honored Mr. Schenker, I have just heard from Professor Straube1 how things have turned out over your contract.2 I am furious about it and have written making representations once again to the proprietor of Breitkopf & Härtel. I will be going to Leipzig mid-month and will take the opportunity to speak with the gentlemen concerned in person.3 I should be very grateful to know from you how long you can put off the hand-over of the work to Hertzka?4 I would then perhaps also try to sound out the Max Hesse Verlag,5 which, as is well known, has taken over Kurth's books.6 I consider the whole thing a cultural disgrace,7 and, so far as is in my power, will not let matters rest at that.8 You will no doubt have heard that I have resigned my Vienna position.9 Sadly, as a result of this it will be a long time before I have the pleasure of seeing you personally. At any rate, I should be grateful if you would let me know when you are heading for the mountains, and where. Perhaps we can meet sometime in the summer. For now, in great haste, with warmest greetings, [typewritten:] © Translation Ian Bent, 2008. |
COMMENTARY: FOOTNOTES: 1 Click on Karl Straube. 2 See OC 54/297, April 19, 1930. See also Schenker's letter to Hellmuth von Hase, also of April 19, 1930, Sbb 55 Nachl. 13, [1]. Straube's letter to Schenker of May 14–16, 1930 (OC 54/218) states that Breitkopf & Härtel and Peters have both declared themselves unable to undertake the [unspecified] work. 3 See OC 54/299–300 which quotes the word "Kulturschande." 4 Click on Emil Hertzka. 5 Max Hesse Verlag: [create profile and link]. 6 Ernst Kurth: [create profile and link]. Most of Kurth's books were first published in Berne, then in Berlin: Grundlagen des Linearen Kontrapunkts (Berne: M. Drechsel, 1917; Berlin: Max Hesse Verlag, 1922, 3/1927), Romantische Harmonik und ihre Krise in Wagners „Tristan“ (Berne & Leipzig: P. Haupt, 1920; Berlin: Hesse, 1922, 3/1923). Bruckner came out first in Berlin, 2 vols (Berlin: Hesse, 1925), Musikpsychologie followed six years later (Berlin: Hesse, 1931). 7 Schenker was delighted at this wording, see his diary entry of June 7, 1930: "From Furtwängler (letter): – 'downright cultural disgrace' if the 'Eroica' is not taken on by Breitkopf & Härtel or Peters." [Von Furtwängler (Brief): – 'geradezu eine Kulturschande', wenn die Eroica nicht bei Br. und H. oder Peters durchzusetzen wäre]. 8 The publication concerned must have been the so-called "monograph on the Eroica [Symphony]" about which Weisse had told Furtwängler and the latter inquired in OJ 11/16, [7], August 30, 1929, which formed the major part of volume III of Das Meisterwerk in der Musik, the Rameau article of which Schenker had already outlined to Furtwängler on March 21, 1930 (OJ 4/3, p. 3486). A letter of May 22, 1930 (OC 54/224) to Otto Erich Deutsch from Drei Masken Verlag states that the publisher "is willing to publish the third volume of Dr. Schenker's Yearbook in the manner proposed" by Deutsch in a print-run of 1,100 copies, and DMV acknowledged receipt of the signed contract in a letter to Schenker of July 18, 1930 (OC 54/228). Release of Meisterwerk III took place about December 10, 1930, the costs being due by March 10, 1931; Schenker paid 4,000 Austrian Schillings = 2,360 Reichsmarks (OC 54/266, March 20, 1931; OC 54/267, March 25), leaving a shortfall of 693.40 RM which remained in dispute for some time (OC 54/269, April 15; OC 54/270–272, April 22, etc.). As recorded in Schenker's diary, June 1, 1931: "From Weisse (express letter): Furtwängler is sending 3,000 Marks." [Von Weisse (Br. expreß): Furtwängler sende 3000 Mark.]; June 6, 1931: "To Floriz (postcard): 3,000 Marks received from Furtwängler; Free Composition is almost secured." [An Floriz (K.): von Furtwängler M. 3000 erhalten; der freie Satz ist fast gesichert.]. 9 In 1930, Furtwängler resigned as conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. 10 Arturo Toscanini: [create profile and link]. Which concert? 11 Click on Jeanette Schenker. SUMMARY: © Commentary, Footnotes, Summary Christoph Hust, 2008
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