Three Autograph Letters Signed - "Have you followed Paderewski's 'My Story' in the Saturday Evening Post?"

Three ALS of the Austrian-American pianist Moriz Rosenthal, born in Lemberg, Austria-Hungary (later Lwów, Poland, now Lviv, Ukraine), who studied with Liszt for 9 years and was one of the most important pianists of the late 19th and first half of the 20th century. A regular sonata partner of Fritz Kreisler, he toured frequently and left some fantastic recordings. In German, as follows:

1. To unidentified male recipient (Wiktor Łabuński?). No date. 2 pp. Bifolium with letterhead of St. Moritz on the Park hotel, New York. In full: "Kochany przyjacielu [Polish, 'Dear friend'], I cannot find the address and remember it only vaguely, Thus, before I send you the borrowed books, I want to verify whether the letter will arrive. Please confirm by air mail so that I still have the time to sent you Hans von Bülow's letters. With cordial regards to you, your wife and the two giants, Yours very Truly Moriz Rosenthal." 6.75 x 5.25 inches (17 x 13.5 cm). The "two giants" are the recipient's sons.

2. To the same (follow-up to the above letter). New York, St. Moritz Hotel, March 28, 1937. 4 pp. Bifolium with letterhead of St. Moritz on the Park hotel, New York. "Dear friend, I just returned the books. ... My Viennese address is noted on the envelope of the books. I give it here once more: Moriz Rosenthal | Wien (Vienna) I. | Ebendorferstrasse 8. – I also want to tell you that I will go back to America next fall and will have my first New York concert on November 28. All the best to you, your wife and to Fafner and Fasolt (of course, in their original state as giants). Yours very truly, Moriz Rosenthal. [P.S. Have you followed Paderewski's 'My Story' in the Saturday Evening Post? He does not even mention the delights he must have experienced thanks to Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, and Wagner wen he was very young." Fafner and Fasolt are the two giants in Richard Wagner's Ring. Fafner kills Fasolt and subsequently morphes into a dragon. Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) published "My Story" as a serial in the weekly Saturday Evening Post. 


3. To Wiktor Łabuński (not named, but context is clear). Abbazia, Italy (now Opatija, Croatia), April 26, 1937. 1 p. Stationery of Quarnero Majestic Hotel (now Hotel Kvarner). In full: "Dear esteemed friend, I am delighted for you that you will come to Kansas City, which offers more opportunities, and I cordially congratulate you on this new stage of your career. It is doubtful whether I will make it there! Maybe you will approach an orchestral conductor there or some other influential person once you have settled in! In that case, I would stay in Kansas City for a few days after the performance, and we would have the opportunity to discuss many an interesting musical topic with you—also at the piano, and of course also with your wife. By the way: In a concert by [Artur] Rodzinski with Myra Hess I met your brother, a charming person and musician. Now I send you and your dear ones my most cordial regards s Yours truly Moriz Rosenthal." Fold partly split, right bottom corner torn. 11.5 x 8.75 inches (29 x 22.5 cm). 

Wiktor Łabuński, identified as recipient of the third letter in pencil in an unknown hand, was a Polish-born pianist, composer and teacher. Living in the U.S. since 1928, he accepted a professorship for piano at the University of Missouri in Kansas City in 1937, which was to be the final stage of his career. Previously, he had held a position in Memphis, Tennessee. The question whether he was also the recipient of the other two letters in this lot is open, but the Polish salutation in the first letter makes it at least plausible. (21674)

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Autograph Letter

Classical Music

$500.00

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