Details
MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY, Felix (1809-1847). AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED to an aspiring composer, Leipzig, 19 January 1843, giving his opinion of the composer's works and in doing so commenting on what he believes the general public expect from a work, notably a 'certain smooth superficial finish' and 'that freedom which is indispensable to obtain the approval of outsiders and the so-called public who exact that freedom and take no note of the musicianship and expression contained in many of the individual passages,' black ink, 4 pages on a bifolium, 8vo (196 x 127mm.), (with later note referring to the death of Mendelssohn's mother).
This letter is remarkable in the care that Mendelssohn takes in giving his reasons why he is unable to help the recipient either to have his works performed or to have them published. He gives a detailed critique of the other composer's technique and style, referring to a stiffness of form and writing that the songs dealing with old texts please him best, but that these songs need more delicacy of feeling rather than fineness of form.
Mendessohn also offers to help his correspondent, with characteristic generosity, in his great misfortune, even though they are comparative strangers. The misfortune apparently refers to an illness and Mendelssohn even offers to assist with a journey to sea-baths, which are supposed to be a remedy for whatever illness affects the recipient of this letter. It is quite possible that both this letter and that in the preceeding lot are written to the same man.
The solicitude shown in this letter is all the more remarkable given that it was written barely a month after Mendelssohn had himself undergone the emotional crisis brought about by the death of his mother on 12 December 1842.
This letter is remarkable in the care that Mendelssohn takes in giving his reasons why he is unable to help the recipient either to have his works performed or to have them published. He gives a detailed critique of the other composer's technique and style, referring to a stiffness of form and writing that the songs dealing with old texts please him best, but that these songs need more delicacy of feeling rather than fineness of form.
Mendessohn also offers to help his correspondent, with characteristic generosity, in his great misfortune, even though they are comparative strangers. The misfortune apparently refers to an illness and Mendelssohn even offers to assist with a journey to sea-baths, which are supposed to be a remedy for whatever illness affects the recipient of this letter. It is quite possible that both this letter and that in the preceeding lot are written to the same man.
The solicitude shown in this letter is all the more remarkable given that it was written barely a month after Mendelssohn had himself undergone the emotional crisis brought about by the death of his mother on 12 December 1842.