Strauss II, Johann. (1825–1899)
Autograph Letter about a Scandal
Autograph letter from the "Waltz King," thanking a friend for his support during a scandal. September 6, [n.y.], 3 pp. Translated from the German, in full: "Dear Sir! Your letter, which provides me with evidence of your complete innocence, touched me even more pleasantly, because I would rather hold my grudge, which I carry in my whole being against the inventor of this abominable defamation, against another, rather than against you, with whom I have been in friendly exchange for a long time, and to whom as far as I know I have never done any harm. Thank you very much for sending me this information. I remain with great admiration yours, Johann Strauss." On a bifolium embossed with Strauss's "S" at the head. Scattered foxing and folding crease split at the foot, else fine. 5 x 8 inches (12.8 x 20.5 cm).The "abominable defamation" referred to in the letter may be related to one of several scandals surrounding Strauss II, who was a figure of great public interest. During the lifetime of Johann Strauss I, the father-and-son composers were often in competition, beginning when Strauss II collected orchestral musicians to make his debut in 1844, which stimulated much interest. Another scandal surrounded Strauss I's death from scarlet fever in 1849: the newspaper Die Geisel reported that Strauss's wife and children had cold-heartedly left the patriarch to die alone, to which Strauss II responded angrily in the newspaper on September 26, 1849. More dramas came later in Strauss II's life, as he suffered a nervous breakdown in 1853, and had three marriages closely following one another in the 1860's to 1880's. (17054)
Autograph Letter Classical Music