R. Schumann. Autograph letter signed, to Joseph Fischhof, 14 January 1838

Schumann, Robert

Autograph letter, signed twice ("Robert Schumann"; "R. Schumann"), to Joseph Fischhof, ABOUT CLARA WIECK AND MENDELSSOHN

concerning Clara Wieck's concerts in Vienna, noting that the newspapers have confirmed what he told him and expected, requesting that he write to him concerning her third concert, stating that he has written to him on several occasions regretting the lack of a reliable correspondent from such a city as Vienna, asking him if he might at least rely on speedy reports concerning the latest operas, performers and performances of note, mentioning that Mendelssohn is ill and that he hasn't seen him for a while, ending the first part of the letter with a request for him to write fully about Clara, a subject he cares about, adding that he will soon receive the Davidsbündlertänze; in the second part of the letter Schumann asks whether he is well acquainted with Lenau, and whether he might not be prepared to send him some poems which he might set to music and publish in his journal, enquires after Liszt and discusses the plain and simple performing style of the singer Clara Novello

...Schreiben Sie mir viel über Clara; es liegt mir daran...Mendelssohn ist krank; seit einiger Zeit habe ich ihn gar nicht zu sehen bekommen... 

3 pages, 8vo (22.4 x 13.3cm), Leipzig, 14 January 1838, some splitting along folds, small seal tear, slightly affecting text 

A superb and wide-ranging letter dating from a period of great emotional turmoil for the composer, yet also great productivity, one which saw the creation of such keyboard masterpieces as the Novelletten, op.21, Kinderszenen, op.15 and Kreisleriana, op.16.

LITERATURE

Jansen, pp.107-108 (no.113)