Furtwängler, Wilhelm, (1886-1954)

discussing his conducting plans for Vienna this coming winter, commenting positively on Bruckner's music, which he conducts gladly and "really well", but voicing his concerns regarding the Ninth Symphony, commenting on the famous Adagio, noting that, for all its beauty, it has "sensitive and gaping holes which, with the best will in the world, cannot be overcome [translation]", and opining that it provides anything but an effective conclusion to the work; in the last part of the letter, Furtwängler also comments on Bruckner's Eighth symphony and Brahms's Fourth, wondering whether the latter work was not "done to death" in Vienna ("...so habe ich gerade gegenüber der Neunten ziemliche Bedenken. Besonders hat das Adagio bei aller Schönheit empfindliche und beim besten Willen nicht zu überbrückende Löcher, und ist alles andere als ein wirkungsvoller Abschluss...")

2 pages, 4to (28.5 x 22cm), with an old printed dealer's description, Wiessee am Tegernsee, 8 August 1918

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 substantial letter, offering an insight into the great German conductor's view of some of the peaks of the Romantic symphonic repertoire. The Austrian lyricist and writer Richard Specht's study of the conductor, Wilhelm Furtwängler, appeared in 1922. Furtwängler’s views about the Adagio of Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony are especially interesting and are at variance with many interpreters today. He never made a commercial recording of the work, but the live account from 1944 is regarded by some as one of the finest performances of Bruckner’s last work.