Details
BRAHMS, Johannes (1833-1897). Autograph letter signed ('Johs Brahms') to an unidentified friend ('Geehrtester Herr'), [Lichtenthal near Baden-Baden, 19] July 1872, 2½ pages, 8vo, on a bifolium, pencil endorsements, possibly by recipient. Provenance: Rudolf Serkin (presentation inscription to him signed by Gunter Henle, on an undated Stargardt folder).
The temptation of a trip to the Rhine. The recipient is evidently Brahms and Simrock's host or companion on an intended cruise on the Rhine beginning the next day, but their plans have been complicated by the expected arrival that evening of a friend [a marginal annotation identifies this as Karl Reinthaler, the music director of Bremen Cathedral], whom Brahms had promised to help in finding 'an apartment and a piano'. Unless Reinthaler decides to accompany them, Brahms cannot think what is to be done: 'Mich lockt die Rhein-Fahrt sehr' [The Rhine trip is really tempting], and if he stays behind he will miss so many concerts. If that is the case, however, he wishes the recipient and his son 'recht viel Freude an gutem Singen u[nd] Musiciren'.
The temptation of a trip to the Rhine. The recipient is evidently Brahms and Simrock's host or companion on an intended cruise on the Rhine beginning the next day, but their plans have been complicated by the expected arrival that evening of a friend [a marginal annotation identifies this as Karl Reinthaler, the music director of Bremen Cathedral], whom Brahms had promised to help in finding 'an apartment and a piano'. Unless Reinthaler decides to accompany them, Brahms cannot think what is to be done: 'Mich lockt die Rhein-Fahrt sehr' [The Rhine trip is really tempting], and if he stays behind he will miss so many concerts. If that is the case, however, he wishes the recipient and his son 'recht viel Freude an gutem Singen u[nd] Musiciren'.
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