Strauss, Richard

autograph title-label ("Donau II Skizzen", over traces of pencil), the short score notated in ink and pencil on up to nine staves per page, including composing drafts of sections titled by Strauss "Walhalla", "Die Nibelungen an der Donau", "Regensburg", and "Donau", instrumental designations ("Orgel", "Viol tremolo"), and several drafts for the choral conclusion of the tone poem, including "[Wie sing ich dich] du vielgeliebte Stadt!" (the words by Josef Weinheber), "Ich kenne ein Dorf so wunderschön" (in the style of a folksong), with markings and memoranda ("Coda", "Modulation", "wie früher F dur"), with additional inserted passages and cues

48 pages, oblong  8vo (c.13 x 17.5cms), and autograph dedication and title-label to cover, 9-stave paper, cloth-backed card wrappers and title-label, by Max Liebers Musikhaus, inscribed in another hand "90", [Vienna, 1942]

Trenner 284; RSQV ID w0577 (this source is not recorded).

This is a substantial autograph workbook by Strauss containing many sections of his long-planned tone poem describing the Danube, including a broad song-theme in G major depicting the Danube in full flow, a folksong, possibly for the wine festival at Wachau, the Nibelungen on the Danube and several for the choral finale.  

Strauss intended Die Donau to be a grand tone poem in praise of Vienna; it was to culminate in a choral finale, setting words by the poet Josef Weinheber.  The occasion that prompted this composition was the impending centenary celebrations of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.  The tone poem would trace the course of the Danube through the countryside, ending with an encomium of Vienna itself.  Strauss worked assiduously on the project at the beginning of 1942 but failed to complete it in time for the festivities in February.  Walther Thomas, to whom Strauss presented this manuscript, was the head of the Vienna Staatsbühne, who had been instrumental in persuading Strauss to compose his last opera, Capriccio.