Handwritten letter on printed letterhead from Hermann Wolff to Harden, with postscript annotation from Harden to Schenker, dated October 20, 1893 [= OJ 11/42, [7], a photocopy of this letter] [printed letterhead with handwritten date] [rule] Vertretung des Philharmonischen Orchesters, Stern'scher Gesangverein, Philharmonischer Chor in Berlin. [/] Châtelet Concerte in Paris (Ed. Colonne). Philharmon. Concerte in Kopenhagen (Joh. Svendsen). [decorated rule] Telephon Amt VI, No. 797 [-] BERLIN W., am Carlsbad 19.I Sehr geehrter Herr. Mit großem Interesse werde ich den Artikel über Bruckner lesen. Ich habe schon oft die Idee gehabt, über das Musik- und Concertwesen einmal nöthige Aufklärungen zu geben, Vorurtheile {2} zu beseitigen & Wahrheit & Klarheit zu schaffen. Bülow2 hat mich oft dazu animirt, denn er pflegte Stunde[n]lang in meinem Beureau [sic] zu sitzen, dem Getriebe zuzuschauen, Einblicke in den Mechanismus zu nehmen. Aber mir fehlt Zeit, Ruhe, & Geduld. Vielleicht finden Sie den Geeigneten. Nothwendig ist's. Ich stelle gern Alles Material zur Verfügung, gebe jede nötige Aufklärung & gewähre dem von Ihnen designirten Schriftsteller gern Einsicht in Alles. Hätten Sie Zeit, Sie wären der rechte Mann wir fänden auch Gelegenheit, uns öfter darüber auszusprechen. Die Bedeutung eines solchen Artikels wäre zweifellos sehr groß. Die Nothwendigkeit erscheint mir geradezu dringend. Vielleicht finden Sie bald einmal Zeit mir ein Wort zu antworten. Ergebenst {3} Ich habe eben den Artikel über Bruckner4 gelesen. Sans phrase er ist gut u. richtig. Dr. H. S. kennt die Partituren Bruckners wirklich genau. Was er speciell über den Kontrapunktiker Bruckner sagt, ist treffend; Sch hat sich eben nicht blenden lassen, wie die Meisten, denen eine Scheingelehrsamkeit imponirt. Ich kann Ihnen hier nicht auseinandersetzen, wie famos in dem Artikel das Wesen Br'scher Musik erkannt ist & nur der, welcher weiß, wie undendlich schwer es ist, dies Wesen mit Worten zu characterisiren, kann voll beurtheilen, wie Dr. Sch den Kern getroffen hat. Besten Dank. [Handwritten annotation from Harden to Schenker:] Könnten Sie nicht einmal über [„]Dirigenten"5 schreiben, Bülow,2 Richter,6 Levi7 u.s.w. ?? Vielleicht interesssirt Sies! Besten Gruß. © In the public domain. |
Handwritten letter on printed letterhead from Hermann Wolff to Harden, with postscript annotation from Harden to Schenker, dated October 20, 1893 [= OJ 11/42, [7], a photocopy of this letter] [printed letterhead with handwritten date] [rule] Agency of The Philharmonic Orchestra, the Stern Gesangverein, the Philharmonic Chorus in Berlin. [/] Châtelet Concerte in Paris (Ed. Colonne). Philharmon. Concerte in Kopenhagen (Joh. Svendsen). [decorated rule] Telephone Office VI, No. 797 [-] BERLIN W., am Carlsbad 19.I Dear Sir, I will read the article on Bruckner with great interest. Quite often I've had the notion to set down some needful explanations about music and concert life, {2} to eliminate prejudices and produce accuracy and clarity. Bülow2 often urged me to do so, for he used to spend hours sitting in my office watching the commotion and observing the workings. But I don't have the time, leisure, or patience. Perhaps you will find the appropriate person. It's imperative. I will make all materials available, provide all necessary explanations, and allow the writer chosen by you to inspect everything. If you had time, you would be the right man and we would find the opportunity to exchange our opinions about it from time to time. The significance of such an article would undoubtedly be very great. The need for it seems nearly critical to me. Perhaps you will find time sometime soon to send me a brief reply. Yours truly, {3} I've just read the article on Bruckner.4 Without any exaggeration, it is good and accurate. Dr. H. S. has an exceptionally precise knowledge of Bruckner's scores. In particular, what he says about Bruckner as a contrapuntalist is on the mark; Schenker hasn't let himself be blinded like most people, who are impressed by the appearance of erudition. I cannot explain here how splendidly the essence of Bruckner's music is revealed in the article and only a person who knows how infinitely difficult it is to describe this essence in words can accurately gauge how close Dr. Schenker has gotten to the root of the matter. Sincere thanks, [handwritten annotation from Harden to Schenker:] Couldn't you write sometime about "Conductors,"5 Bülow,2 Richter,6 Levi7 etc.?? Perhaps this will interest you! Sincere greetings, © Translation William Pastille 2006. |
COMMENTARY: FOOTNOTES: 1 Hermann Wolff was a major concert promoter and artists' agent in Berlin. He also managed the Berlin Philharmonic starting in 1887. 2 Click on Hans Bülow. 3 = "Wenden Sie Gefälligst Um" = "Kindly turn the page over" 4 This was the article "Anton Bruckner," which appeared in Die Zukunft on October 21, 1893, and is reprinted in Hellmut Federhofer, Heinrich Schenker als Essayist und Kritiker ... (Hildesheim: Georg Olms Verlag, 1990), pp. 57-61. 5 This suggestion led to the article "Konzertdirigenten," which appeared in Die Zukunft on April 14, 1884, and is reprinted in Hellmut Federhofer, Heinrich Schenker als Essayist und Kritiker ... (Hildesheim: Georg Olms Verlag, 1990), pp. 75-82. 6 Hans Richter (1843-1916), Hungarian/Austrian conductor. 7 Hermann Levi (1839-1900), German conductor. SUMMARY: © Commentary, Footnotes, Summary William Pastille, 2006
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