Bidspirit auction | [MUSIC AUTOGRAPHS] - ROBERT SCHUMANN

[MUSIC AUTOGRAPHS] - ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810–1856) - Important Autograph Letter Signed to his publisher - ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810–1856) “THE ROBERT BURNS SONGS ARE POPULAR” Important Autograph Letter Signed to his publisher, concerning Myrthen, the Overture, Scherzo and Finale, and the Four Sketches for Pedal Piano, Dresden, 1 September 1846 Autograph letter signed “R. Schumann”, Dresden, 1 September 1846, to his Leipzig publisher Julius Kistner. Two pages, with integral address panel; dark red wax seal with initials, apparently “CS”, intact; postal markings dated “1 Sep. 46”, “2 Sep.” and “Staatspost 2 Sep.”; contemporary annotations in other hands. A significant publishing letter in which Schumann discusses the publication and circulation of three markedly different compositions: Myrthen, Op. 25, the Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op. 52, and the Four Sketches for Pedal Piano, Op. 58. Schumann opens with Myrthen, the celebrated song cycle composed during his extraordinary “year of song” in 1840 and presented to Clara Wieck on the eve of their marriage. He reports having heard that “the Robert Burns songs are popular” and asks Kistner whether it might be advantageous to gather the most recent issues together and publish them separately. The passage offers an insight into Schumann’s direct interest not only in the reception of his songs but also in their commercial presentation and circulation. Turning to the Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op. 52, Schumann requests revisions and discusses practical arrangements for its publication. He expects to be able to send Kistner the four-hand piano reduction within three or four weeks, adding that the orchestral parts can follow shortly. Initially conceived as a “Suite” or “Symphonette”, the work had received its first performance in Leipzig in 1841 and underwent substantial revision before its publication in 1846. Finally, Schumann refers to the Four Sketches for Pedal Piano, Op. 58, noting that he understands the work to be completely finished and asking Kistner to send him complimentary copies. Composed in 1845 during Schumann’s intensive engagement with counterpoint and his fascination with the pedal piano, the Sketches were published in 1846. An unusually rich publishing letter, bringing together three distinct areas of Schumann’s output — song, orchestral music and experimental keyboard writing — and documenting his close involvement in the revision, presentation and dissemination of his works. His remark on the popularity of the Burns settings is particularly striking as first-hand evidence of the composer’s awareness of the contemporary reception of his songs. Signed “R. Schumann”. Provenance / Literature: Published in Schumann Briefedition, Series III, Vol. IV, Briefwechsel Robert und Clara Schumanns mit Leipziger Verlegern, pp. 204–205. Condition: Slightly browned; creased at folds and very slightly overall; a very small split at the lower central fold; a small, neat triangular portion excised opposite the wax seal. Overall in very good condition. One item: autograph letter signed, two pages with integral address panel, Dresden, 1 September 1846.