J. Brahms. Photograph inscribed and signed with a musical representation of Helene von Heldburg's initials, 1895

Johannes Brahms

Cabinet-style photograph, signed and inscribed on the reverse

THE INSCRIPTION BELOW A REPRESENTATION IN MUSICAL NOTATION (TWO MINIM B' NATURALS = 'H' H' in German usage) OF THE INITIALS OF HIS HOST'S WIFE, HELENE VON HELDBURG, notated in dark brown ink on a hand-drawn stave, the inscription reading "Der liebenswürdigsten Hausfrau in herzlicher Dankbarkeit!...J. Brahms", the photograph, showing the composer three-quarter face, by Erwin Hanfstaengl of Frankfurt

8vo, overall size 16.5 x 11cm, no place, February 1895, some discolouration to image, chipped at edges

A fine image of Brahms in early middle-age, with, on the reverse, a charming inscription to Freifrau Helene von Heldburg (1839-1929), the former actress and piano pupil of Bülow, then the wife of Brahms's host in Meiningen, Herzog Georg II (1826-1914). During this visit in February 1895 to the Meiningen Festival Brahms participated in a concert of the clarinet sonatas Op.120, with the incomparable Richard Mühlfeld, and the piano quartet Op.25, with Bram Eldering, Alfonss Abass and Carl Peining, principals of the Meiningen Hofkapelle.

LITERATURE:

Christopher Dyment, Conducting the Brahms Symphonies: From Brahms to Boult (2016), p.30