Lot 170
  • 170

BRAHMS, JOHANNES. FINE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ("J.BRAHMS"), TO THE BACH SCHOLAR PHILIPP SPITTA

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Fine autograph letter signed (“J.Brahms”), to the Bach scholar Philipp Spitta
explaining that their letters had crossed and that his contained the promised 100 gulden; he apologizes for the robust tone of his previous letter; suggests that if more funds are required he should contact the violinist Franz Ondricek. Konzertmeister Grün and the conductor Hans Richter; he enquires after the complete edition of the music of Handel and an award for its general editor, Friedrich Chrysander and offers to donate more money as necessary …Auch die 100G hatte ich geahnt u[nd] bitte, mir ganz einfach zu befehlen falls Sie s.Z. mehr Geld zu wünschen hatten... Nun Lassen Sie mich noch bekennen, dass mein letzter Brief zunächst durch den Gedanken an die nahe Vollendung der Händel-Ausgabe veranlasst wurde, also durch den Gedanken an eine Ehrengabe für Chrysander. Für diesen Fall ist mehr Geld nöthig u[nd] schwerer zu beschaffen. Sollten auch Sie etwa davon denken, so bin ich einstweilen mit 1000G dabei... 4 pages, large 4to, with autograph envelope stamped and postmarked, dated by the recipient “2.XII.1888”

Literature

Brahms Briefwechsel, xvi, no.33

Catalogue Note

Brahms was interested in music of the past and himself edited the works of Couperin with Friedrich Chrysander, who was the first editor and main mover behind the Händel-Ausgabe, which he produced practically single-handed. The rumour that the last volume was about to appear was false, and further volumes appeared until 1902 when Chrysander died. Brahms was also privately generous to musicians who had fallen on hard times. He contributed to pay for a headstone on Spitta’s grave when he died in 1894. See Part 1, lot 22.