Mahler, Gustav

in piano score, bars 6-12, omitting the introductory material, marked “Allegro energico”, notated in black ink, on two staves, signed and inscribed by the composer: “Mit freundlichem Dank für Ihre lieben Zeilen und herzlichen Grüssen Gustav Mahler Schluderbach August 1907”

I page, oblong 8vo (12 x 23cm), Schluderbach, 1907

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."

Mahler’s great Sixth Symphony was written at a time of great personal happiness in 1903-1904, the height of his success at the Vienna Opera and the birth of his second daughter, Anna in June 1904. Yet, the symphony is uniformly dark, turbulent, tragic and without hope. By 1907, when this quotation was transcribed, two of the hammer-blows which punctuate the finale had come to pass: the death of his elder daughter and the loss of his job at the opera in Vienna.  In July 1907, he had already received information from his doctors that his heart was not working correctly. No wonder Mahler was to expunge the third hammer-blow from the score.

In August 1907 Maher and his wife went to stay in Schluderbach, in the South Tyrol, probably as an escape from Maiernigg, their former summer residence, where Maria Anna had died the previous month.

The musical quotation omits the qualification “ma non troppo” of the printed score (1906).