Autograph musical manuscript in short score of the second movement of the Concerto for Piano, Op. 20 (1953/1955). 8 pp. Titled "II," in 9/8 6/8 time, G major, and with the tempo indication "Adagio, dotted quarter = 46." Dated at the conclusion: "Wien, 30.V.55." In pencil, with some alterations and additions in ink and red pencil, on loose sheets of manuscript paper inside an unrelated later card portfolio. Toned, overall fine. 11 x 8.5 inches (27.5 x 21.5 cm). From the Collection of Dimitri Mitroupoulos.

It was Dimitri Mitropoulos, when he conducted in New York von Einem’s Orchestermusik op. 9 in 1953, who had asked von Einem to write a Piano Concerto for him, and originally it was he who intended to both play the solo part and to conduct the orchestra. Wanting the score well enough in advance to prepare the solo part, already in the spring of 1954 he wrote to Einem "I am waiting anxiously." But von Einem in the end took too long to complete the work for the very busy conductor to prepare it in time. The present short score of the second movement was sent to him at some point and later he sent copies of the completed score, but von Einem’s Piano Concerto op. 20, dedicated to Alma Mahler Werfel, was first performed by Gerty Herzog with the Sinfonieorchester des Norddeutschen Rundfunks, conducted by Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, October 6, 1956.

Mitropoulos was slated to conduct (not play) the work with Gerty Herzog as soloist and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at the Salzburg Festival 1957 (with works by Honegger and Theodor Berger), but finally he was again too busy (Elektra, two orchestra concerts with "classical“ works) and Herbert von Karajan took over this concert with music of the 20th century. Karajan conducted the concert also with Gerty Herzog and the WPH in Vienna.

Dimitri Mitropoulos was Greece’s most prolific conductor and New York Philharmonic Music Director from 1949-1958.  Widely regarded as one of the most significant conductors of the twentieth century, he is best remembered for his significant recorded legacy and for his commitment in bringing new compositions to the stage of major symphony orchestras.  Indeed, it is thanks to his efforts that many of our current symphonic standards made their way into the repertory.  He gave World and American premiers of seminal works such as Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 and Schoenberg’s Erwartung, as well as other major works by Schoenberg, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and many others.  His personal collection has been held in private hands since his death in 1960, when it passed to conductor James Dixon, his student and protégé.  Mitropoulos came to consider Dixon his son, introducing him to conductors and performing arts institutions around the world, jumpstarting his career.  When Mitropoulos died in 1960 he left all his belongings, including his scores, to Dixon.  The bulk of the musical library has been subsequently gifted to the University of Iowa’s music library, but a selection of rare items have been selected to be offered for sale exclusively by Schubertiade Music & Arts.  This manuscript, gifted by Mitropoulos to a younger colleague and subsequently inherited from him by still another conductor, has not previously been offered for sale. 

We are grateful for the assistance of Otto Biba and Leon Botstein in the cataloging of this manuscript.