Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Felix, (1809-1847)

a working manuscript and Stichvorlage, a setting of Heine's poem "Über die Berge steigt schon die Sonne", notated in brown ink on up to four systems of three staves per page, with autograph title ("Morgengruß"), marked up by and for the printer in pencil and red crayon, with a number of autograph deletions, revisions and corrections, the original tempo marking deleted and altered as in the first edition

2 pages, 4to (c.25.3 x 22.6cm), 14-stave paper, Leipzig, April 1839, trimmed on both sides, some light spotting

Cf. MWV, pp. 166 [K 100] and 477 [Sammeldruck 20]

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.
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A MENDELSSOHN REDISCOVERY. THIS MANUSCRIPT HAS BEEN LOST FOR EIGHTY YEARS AND IS UNKNOWN TO MODERN SCHOLARSHIP: it was last traced in a Hinterberger catalogue in 1937.

On 23 April 1839, Mendelssohn sent the Stichvorlage of four of the six Songs Op. 47 to Breitkopf & Härtel. This manuscript was almost certainly included, and was used by the printer for the publication, as is shown by the casting-off marks in pencil and the numbering in red crayon. The song was published as the second of the Sechs Lieder by Breitkopf later in 1839. The re-emergence of the autograph confirms that it is the Stichvorlage listed in the modern scholarly catalogue of Mendelssohn's works, Mendelssohn Werk-Verzeichnis (2009): see K 100 autograph b). Mendelssohn probably only signed and dated the manuscript after receiving it back from the publisher.

A further autograph of the song is in the songbook for Cécile Mendelssohn Bartholdy (now in the collection of the Juilliard School of Music, New York). An autograph manuscript of 'Wiegenlied' op. 47 no. 6 was sold at Sotheby's, London on 4 December 1992, lot 531.

We are grateful to acknowledge the kind assistance of Dr Ralf Wehner.