Bülow, Hans von. (1830–1894)
Autograph Letter
Autograph letter in English from the German pianist and conductor to the English conductor Sir William George Cusins, declining an invitation to perform in London and asking him to prevent another person from writing "unbearable and somewhat insolent letters." November 16, [n.y., ca. 1874]. 2 pp. Folding crease, toning and soiling; overall very good. 4.5 x 7 inches (12 x 18 cm)."Dear Sir, I have just received your kind line of the 13th inst. when I came back from Berlin. Certainly I shall have great pleasure in playing your admirable conducting in London again, but I doubt seriously that I would be able to cross the Channell next spring. I am bitterly overburden by business (most for honours sake) the whole winter without any intermission, so that at the end of the season I will feel so thourougly exhausted both in brain and hands in order that it might be quite impossible to fulfill with your very valuable wishes. I must think of my health. I should feel enormously obliged, dear Sir, and ready for reciprocal services if you would kindly prevent Mr. Berger from boring me again with his unbearable and somewhat insolent letters, telegrams. I never treat with societies but by care of my well-known agents Mr. Wolff. I must keep up my very small leisures for better things. Of course, when so high an artiste like you, dear Sir, honours myself by writing, circumstances are changed. Believe me, dear Sir, yours very thankfully, Hans von Bülow."
Cusins was the conductor of the Philharmonic Society from 1867 to 1883. Hans von Bülow made his London debut with the Society in April 1873, dating this letter to sometime thereafter. (15774)
Autograph Letter Classical Music