Strauss, Richard. (1864–1949)
"Hymne an die Liebe" [3 Hymnen von Friedrich Hölderlin, Op.71, No. 1] - Autograph Manuscript Sketch Leaf, Signed on the composer's 60th Birthday
A large and extensively worked autograph manuscript sketchleaf for the first of the Drei Hymnen, Op. 71, accomplished in pencil on both sides of a trimmed sheet of printed musical manuscript paper, signed and dated in ink on the composer's sixtieth birthday "Richard Strauss / Garmisch, 11.6.24". Approx. 56 measures, with vocal line and short score, as well as unidentified scoring. Numbered "7" in the corner of the inscribed side, with additional (apparently mathematical) notations in two locations. 35.5 x 12.5 cm. Central vertical crease, else fine.The signed side of the sheet includes, from the 11th bar of the upper system, the text "Von den Wettern überschattet Bebt entzückt der Mutter Brust" ["Overshadowed by the elements / The mother's breast trembles rapturously"] and corresponding musical ideas to the final published measures 178 - 198 of Hymne an die Liebe. Though the preceding and following measures do not seem to closely track the published score, this is evidently an early sketch for the identified work and the remaining musical ideas on the both sides are presumed to be discarded material from the same.
"The years 1919 and 1920 are blank in the catalogue of Strauss's works; in 1921 he composed only - some only! - the Drei Hymnen, Op. 71, to texts by Hölderlin with accompaniment for large orchestra, songs which anticipate the richness of the Vier letze Lieder of twenty-seven years later and constitute a major work, sadly underrated and neglected. Part of the explanation is that he was composing the opera Intermezzo and that the Vienna Opera and travels abroad ate into his time. The first performance of Op. 71 was given in Berlin on 4 November by Barbara Kemp, with Gustav Brecher conducting." (Michael Kennedy, "Richard Strauss: Man, Musician, Enigma," p. 210)
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Nigel Simeone in the identification of this manuscript. (11677)
Manuscript Music AMQS Classical Music Opera