# - Schumann, Robert.

discussing his arrangement for two sopranos and piano of his male-voice partsongs Op.33, enquiring about how best to return the proofs, remarking that he has only changed a note here and there, suggesting that the song Der träumende See be transposed to F major, thanking him for the effort and industry he has expended on those 'older children' of his; in the remaining part of the letter Schumann discusses at length his newest musical progeny [the Album für die Jugend], which he sent to him the day before yesterday, remarking that one always prefers one's newest creations but that these are particularly close to his heart, confiding to him that the pieces grew out of his family life, the first ones in the album being written for the birthday of his oldest child [Marie]; in a highly revealing passage Schumann describes how it seemed that he was starting out as a composer all over again, adding that he will be able to detect traces of the old humour here and there; Schumann also compares it with his Kinderscenen Op.15, describing the latter as looking back from an older viewpoint and written for older people, the former, [which he calls 'Weihnachtsalbum', its original title] being for younger people and containing, rather, presentiments of the future; the composer further discusses the work's possible publication by Schuberth, stating that he believes that the publisher will do well out of it as, of all his compositions, he considers it will prove to be his most popular, stressing the need for the publication to look attractive, asking him to inform him of the name of the Leipzig engraver, when this is known, so that he may discuss everything with him in person when he is in Leipzig the following week, discussing the size of print and the need for an attractive title illustration, admitting that time is too short for each piece to have an illustration, and asking Schuberth to return his manuscript at once should he not accept it for publication; in a final section, Schumann enquires after his correspondent and hopes to see him in Leipzig, where he plans to rehearse his opera [Genoveva] in January, and asks him to let him know at once when he receives the 'Album'



...Freilich liebt man die jüngsten immer am meisten; aber diese sind mir besonders an's Herz gewachsen - und eigentlich recht aus dem Familienleben heraus. Die ersten der Stücke im Album schrieb ich nähmlich für unser ältestes Kind zu ihrem Geburtstag und so kam eines nach dem andern hinzu. Es war mir als fing ich noch einmal von vorn an zu componiren. Und auch vom alten Humor werden Sie hier und da spüren. Von den Kinderscenen unterscheiden sie sich durchaus. Diese sind Rückspiegelungen eines älteren und für ältere, während das Weihnachtsalbum mehr Vorspiegelungen, Ahnungen, zukünftige Zustände für jüngere enthält...An Hrn. Schuberth wendete ich mich wegen der Herausgabe, weil Eile nothwendig ist, und weil ich glaube, wenn er will, setzt er etwas durch. Das er übrigens kein schlechtes Geschäft damit macht, dafür möcht ich einstehen; von allen meinen Compositionen glaub' ich werden diese die populärsten. Nur muss auch das Album ein hübsches, entsprechendes Aeussere haben. Sagen Sie Hrn. Schuberth, sobald er wegen der Herausgabe entschlossen ist und sich für eine Leipziger Offizin entschieden hat, in der das Album gestochen wird, möge er mir den Namen der Offizin gleich sagen, damit ich dann in Leipzig, wohin ich in nächster Woche auf einige Tage reise, noch persönlich alles mit dem Stecher besprechen kann. Erst dachte ich mir zu jedem der Stückchen eine Randzeichnung (Illustration) - aber wie gesagt, die Zeit bis Weihnachten ist zu kurz dazu. Aber für ein hübsches Titelblatt müsste jedenfalls gesorgt werden...   



5 pages, 8vo, integral autograph address-panel, remains of seal, Dresden, 6 October 1848, seal tear, splitting along folds, a few tiny tears to margins, creasing, some later pencil annotations at head of first page

The autograph differs in a few points from the transcription in Erler, pp.60-62 

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."

A wonderful letter in which Schumann discusses his celebrated work for young pianists, Album für die Jugend, Op.68.

Schumann's Album für die Jugend, written in 1848 and containing 43 short pieces divided into two groups for beginners and more advanced players is a much-loved staple of the repertoire for young, as well as not so young, pianists. The present letter is remarkable for its revelation how Schumann, in entering into the world of the child, felt that he was approaching the craft of composition anew.

Schumann's correspondent is the composer, pianist and conductor Carl Reinecke (1824-1910), whose own compositions for piano are stylistically close to Schumann.