Brahms, Johannes.

Remarkable autograph manuscript of the opening of the second movement of the Violin Sonata no.1 in G major Op.78, sent to Clara Schumann, with an autograph letter signed to her on the verso, about the work and his feelings for her(``Liebe Klara…Dein Johannes’’) and her late son Felix,



comprising bars 1-24, written in black ink on three systems of three staves, here marked ``Adagio espressivo’’ (the qualifying adjective is lacking in the published score); in the deeply felt letter, Brahms expresses through his music his feelings for her and for Felix, he thanks her for her letter and reveals his concern for her in her grief for her son; he announces that he is with Joachim, but has not played in his concerts, mentioning his Violin Concerto, composed for Joachim, describing the violinist’s playing in the concerto, and promising her a copy of the piano score when it is ready



2 pages, oblong 8vo, red margins, no place or date [1879]



 

Wenn du Umstehendes recht langsam spielst, sagt es dir vielleicht deutlicher als ich es sonst könnte, wie herzlich ich an dich u[nd] Felix denke—selbst an seine Geige, dir aber wohl recht…es drängt mich immer sehr von Felix zu hören…J[oachim] spielt aber die Zeit herrlich; so frisch u[nd] ganz vorzüglich…Falls u[nd] wenn ich einen Klavierauszug mache sollst Du ihn gleich haben…

This is one of the most extraordinary and memorable Brahms items to have appeared on the market in recent years. The manuscript was owned by Clara Schumann and it appeared at auction in 1931: a photograph of it survives, but the original appears not to have been available for scholarly inspection.

The love Brahms felt for Clara Schumann is well-known. They became close during the illness of Robert Schumann and the young composer cared for her in Düsseldorf, even living in her house. During the time of upheaval after Robert’s death they moved apart, but despite a number of vicissitudes, they remained very close, musical friends. She was one of the few people Brahms addressed as ``Du’’. Clara’s last child, Felix, died on 2nd January 1879, the day after the premiere by Joachim of the Violin Concerto. Some commentators have imagined that Felix might even have been Brahms’s child, but that view is now generally discredited. Brahms was close to Felix and, on his death, hurried to Frankfurt to see Clara and to comfort her. The composer was more eloquent in his music than in his speech, a point he makes clear in this letter. The beautiful slow movement of the First Violin Sonata is clearly written with Clara in mind and to assuage her grief.