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[A photocopy of this document exists as Sbb 55 Nachl. 13, [17]]

HOTEL [monogram: "HI"] IMPERIAL
WIEN
17 Mai 1933

Sehr verehrter Herr Schenker, 1

Wäre es Ihnen recht, wenn ich Samstag Abend [i. e. May 20] nach dem Kammermusikkonzert noch ein Stündchen zu Ihnen hinaus käme? Leider ist kein anderer Abend möglich, da ich bereits Sonntag Abend nach Berlin fahren muss. 2

In der Hoffnung auf einige Zeilen von Ihnen bin ich mit den schönsten Grüssen auch an Ihre Frau


Ihr
[signed:] Wilhelm Furtwängler

© Transcription Christoph Hust, 2008

[A photocopy of this document exists as Sbb 55 Nachl. 13, [17]]

HOTEL [monogram: "HI"] IMPERIAL
VIENNA
May 17, 1933

Greatly revered Mr. Schenker, 1

Would it be all right with you if I came to you for another brief visit after the chamber music concert on Saturday evening [i. e. May 20]? Unfortunately, no other evening is possible, since I have to depart for Berlin as soon as Sunday evening. 2

Hoping to hear word from you, I remain, with warmest greetings to you and your wife.


Yours,
[signed:] Wilhelm Furtwängler

© Translation Ian Bent, 2008

[A photocopy of this document exists as Sbb 55 Nachl. 13, [17]]

HOTEL [monogram: "HI"] IMPERIAL
WIEN
17 Mai 1933

Sehr verehrter Herr Schenker, 1

Wäre es Ihnen recht, wenn ich Samstag Abend [i. e. May 20] nach dem Kammermusikkonzert noch ein Stündchen zu Ihnen hinaus käme? Leider ist kein anderer Abend möglich, da ich bereits Sonntag Abend nach Berlin fahren muss. 2

In der Hoffnung auf einige Zeilen von Ihnen bin ich mit den schönsten Grüssen auch an Ihre Frau


Ihr
[signed:] Wilhelm Furtwängler

© Transcription Christoph Hust, 2008

[A photocopy of this document exists as Sbb 55 Nachl. 13, [17]]

HOTEL [monogram: "HI"] IMPERIAL
VIENNA
May 17, 1933

Greatly revered Mr. Schenker, 1

Would it be all right with you if I came to you for another brief visit after the chamber music concert on Saturday evening [i. e. May 20]? Unfortunately, no other evening is possible, since I have to depart for Berlin as soon as Sunday evening. 2

Hoping to hear word from you, I remain, with warmest greetings to you and your wife.


Yours,
[signed:] Wilhelm Furtwängler

© Translation Ian Bent, 2008

Footnotes

1 Receipt of this letter and his reply are recorded in Schenker's diary at OJ 4/6, p. 3834, May 19: "Von Furtwängler (Br): bittet nach dem Konzert fur ein Stündchen kommen zu dürfen. – An Furtwängler (Br. expreß): erwarten ihn." ("From Furtwängler (letter): asks if he may come for a short visit after the concert. — To Furtwängler (express letter): we will expect him.").

2 The meeting is recorded in Schenker's diary at OJ 4/6, p. 3835, May 20, 1933: "Im Auftrag (Br.): Furtwängler werde spätestens um 10h kommen. – Uebermüdet schlafe ich gegen ½9h ein u. rette dadurch den Abend. – [...] Um ¼11h Furtwängler, bleibt bis ¼2h! Zunächst über die Rede: Vorbehalte wegen "volksverbinden", – "Themen", die von Gegnern leicht ausgenützt werden könnten – zeige beim Klavier zur II. Sinfonie, Adagio (Blatt) u. IV. 1. S. erster Gedanke, Andante u. a. Dann "Deutschland u. die Juden" – F. schämt sich u. fragt, ob er nicht besser täte, nach Wien zu ziehen. Lie-Liechen hat Arbeit bis ½3h!" ("By proxy (letter): Furtwängler will come at the latest at 10 o'clock. — Tired out, I fall asleep around 8:30, and in so doing salvage the evening. — […] At 10:45, Furtwängler [arrives], stays until 1:45! First, regarding his address: reservations about "propitiating the people" ‒ "themes" that can easily be exploited by his adversaries. At the piano, I draw his attention to the Second Symphony, Adagio (leaf) and Fourth, first movement, first subject, Andante, among other things. Then "Germany and the Jews." Furtwängler is ashamed and asks whether he would not do better to move to Vienna. Lie-Liechen works until 2:30 [a.m.]!").

Commentary

Format
1p letter, printed monogram/address, typewritten date, salutations and message, holograph signature
Rights Holder
Heirs of Wilhelm Furtwänger, published by kind permission
License
Permission to publish granted by the late Mrs. Elisabeth Furtwängler, February 2, 2005. Any claim to intellectual rights on this document should be addressed to the Schenker Documents Online, at schenkercorrespondence (at) mus (dot) cam (dot) uk
Provenance
Schenker, Heinrich (document date-1935)--Schenker, Jeanette (1935-1938)--Oster, Ernst (1938-c.1939)—New York Public Library (c.1939-)

Digital version created: 2015-01-28
Last updated: 2010-06-28