Schoenberg, Arnold. (1874–1951) [Greissle, Felix. (1894–1982)]
Typed letter signed
TLS of the Austrian-American composer, founder and head of the Second Viennese School, to his former student and son-in-law Felix Greissle at G. Schirmer, New York. July 17, 1944. In English. 1 p. Schoenberg's personal handstamp to left head with address of 116 N. Rockingham Ave., Los Angeles, California. In part: "Though my letter to Mr. Reese, by naming only the condition that the publication of my orchestration of Carl Engel[']s Triptych must be guaranteed by Schirmers, makes it quite clear, I feel I should mention it in a formal manner: / I do not ask for a fee for this work. / I do not know why the Goldmann Band does not perform my variations this summer. / I am doubtful whether under thee circumstances one should leave the 'Uraufführung' to him." Extended note to right head in pencil, erased and probably lost. 11 x 8.5 inches (28 x 21.5 cm).Felix Greissle, born in Vienna, became a student of Schoenberg in 1920 and married Schoenberg's daughter Gertrude in the following year. He lived in New York and worked for G. Schirmer since 1938. The French-American pianist, composer and musicologist Carl Engel (1883–1944), president of G. Schirmer in his final years, had just died on May 6, 1944. As this letter confirms, Schoenberg intended to orchestrate Engel's Triptych, originally written for violin and piano and published in 1920, in his honor. There is no mention of this arrangement in either WorldCat or the works list on the website of the Arnold Schoenberg Center in Vienna, which suggests that Schoenberg never completed it (and possibly never begun it).
The "variations" are Theme and Variations for Full Band, op. 43a, composed 1943 for the band of Edwin Franko Goldman (1878–1956). The reason why the premiere was delayed was Goldman's active military service, to which he was called in 1943. The score was not performed until 1946. A version for orchestra (Op. 43b) was first performed in 1944 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Serge Koussevitzky. (23132)
Classical Music Autograph Letter