[CONDUCTORS] Toscanini, Arturo. (1867–1957) & Walter, Bruno. (1876–1962) & Zweig, Stefan. (1881–1942) [Hoeller, Susan. (1910–1998)]
Original Photograph
Original portrait photograph by Susan Hoeller of New York, showing the Italian and German conductors with arms interlocked with Zweig, Austrian writer who became one of the most highly regarded men of letters writing in German between the wars. Photograph 7.5 x 9 inches (19 x 23 cm) mounted on card (total 9 x 12 inches [22.5 x 30.5 cm]), with heavy wear and losses to corners, including peeled surface layers of mount at corners, affecting three corners of the photograph print, conclusion of the photographer's name visible in pencil inscription on the lower left of the mount. Stamped by the photographer on the verso of the mount, otherwise good. An extraordinary image of two of the greatest conductors of the 20th century together with one of its most important writers.A number of sources, including the Austrian National Library, suggest that the photo was taken in Salzburg during the Festival probably in 1934 and certainly not later than 1937. Zweig had a house there and mentions Toscanini's visit in his memoir "The World of Yesterday". Walter, too, remembers the time he spent with Toscanini at Zweig's home in his book "Theme and Variations".
Zweig, a novelist, playwright, journalist and biographer, made his name in the inter-war period as the author of novels and biographies. He was also a prolific autograph collector and his massive collection of musical and literary manuscripts resides at the British Library. Zweig and his wife, who left Europe together in 1940, committed suicide in 1942, largely in desperation over the horrors continuing in their homeland.
The photographer Susan Hoeller was born Susanna von Winternitz and was Zweig's stepdaughter from his first wife. She worked as a press-photographer in Salzburg. (see: https://www.stadt-salzburg.at/fileadmin/imports/stadtgeschichte/salzburg_archiv_32_2007_00357684.pdf) (18530)
Classical Music Unsigned Photograph