Gustav Mahler and Alban Berg. Three autograph letters and an autograph document, 1899-1931

Gustav Mahler and Alban Berg

Three autograph letters and an autograph document, 1899-1931

Gustav Mahler

1) Letter signed ("Mahler"), to an unnamed correspondent, stating that the score of the opera Il cuor delle fanciulle has made a good impression on him, noting that before he makes a judgment on it he needs to become familiar with the text, and requesting him to send him a translation, 1 page, 4to, on printed stationery of the Vienna Hofoper, Vienna, 25 April 1899

2) Letter signed ("Mahler"), to the theatrical agency Oskar Holitor in Budapest, declining the services of the singer [Louise] Kirkby Lunn on account of her lack of familiarity with the German repertoire, 1 page, 8vo, on embossed stationery of the Vienna Hofoper, Vienna, 7 September 1905; with a telegram from Mahler to Universal Edition in Vienna, informing them he is travelling to Munich for the first rehearsal on Monday [of his Eighth Symphony], Toblach, 3 September 1910

Alban Berg

1) Autograph letter signed ("Berg") to his composition student Herbert Strutz, informing him that he has many rehearsals, but that they could start work from 1 October, mentioning the Wozzeck fragments [Drei Bruchstücke aus 'Wozzeck'], and stating that he must speak with him, 1 page, 8vo, on a postcard, in pencil, [Vienna,] 4 September 1924 (?)

2) Autograph document listing performance details of his works in the first three months of 1931, the works listed including the Lyric Suite, Three Fragments from Wozzeck, and the Sieben frühe Lieder, the performers including the Kolisch Quartet, Friedrich Wildgans and Stokowski, 1 page, 22.3 x 28.3cm, no place, January-March 1931

Both Mahler letters date from his time as director of the Vienna Hofoper (1897-1907). Berg's correspondent, his one-time composition student Herbert Strutz (1902-1973), was later active as a journalist and art critic. See lots 000 and 000.