# - Busoni, Ferruccio.

entitled in another hand "offener MusikBrief" ["open music letter"]; outlining the tendency of modern criticism to judge a work not by its worth but by its musical 'direction', discussing three components of neo-expressionism, harmony, hysteria and temperamental gestures, concluding that the harmonic structure of all neo-expressionists sounds alike, that hysteria is maintained by the obstinate repetition of one or more sounds using the 'highest of the high and the lowest of the low sounds' and that temperamental gestures appear mainly in orchestral works, where a pseudo-polyphony imparts a feeling of still further restlessness; as an illustration of his arguments, Busoni relates an anecdote concerning Stravinsky's disparagement of classical composers, outlines the requirements of a new harmony - strict instruction and a sovereign mastery of melody - and repudiates the criticism which his book Entwurf einer neuen Ästhetik der Tonkunst has attracted ("...Mit Freiheit der Form meinte ich nie Formlosigkeit, mit Einheit der Tonart nicht eine unlogische und ziellose Kreuz und Quer Harmonik...") ; in the unpublished original ending to the letter Busoni cites the contents of a communication addressed to him by twelve young admirers ("eine Gruppe erlesener junger Männer") in praise of Busoni's support for 'timeless modern music" ("zeitlos junge Werke") 



7 pages, 4to (28 x 21.8cm), numerous autograph corrections and cancellations, some autograph entries in pencil, some annotations apparently by the recipient, [Berlin], 17 January, 1922, central fold 

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This celebrated letter, a musical manifesto on harmony and the state of modern music written two years before Busoni's death, was published with title "Über die Harmonik" ["On Harmony"]  in the music journal Melos in 1922 (iii/2). This famous pre-war music journal was founded by the conductor Hermann Scherchen and published in Berlin between February 1920 and August 1934, its aim being to promote modern music. Fritz-Fridolin Windisch (1897-?) was general editor from May 1921 until August 1922.