Mar 21, 2019 - Sale 2502

Sale 2502 - Lot 186

Price Realized: $ 715
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900
(MAHLER, GUSTAV.) MAHLER, ALMA. Autograph Letter Signed, to psychoanalyst Theodor Reik, in German, in purple ink, explaining that elements of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 were inspired by the death of Hans von Bülow, repeating Mahler's poetic characterization of a certain movement in A-Major, and reporting that she would not be releasing any letters for publication. Three lines written in another hand in upper margin of first page promising to write to Arthur and sending greetings. 4 pages, oblong 4to, written on two separate sheets; folds. With the original envelope. [Vienna: from postmark], 28 June 1933
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". . . Mahler's relationship with Bülow was that of disciple and master. He was therefore also asked to escort Bülow's coffin from the ship to the crematorium. Bülow had died in Egypt. During the Dies irae he came up with the idea for the II Sym [Symphony No. 2]. Instead of the 'Great Call', the last sentence should read 'Lux in tenebris lucet.' He imagined people, breaking out of their graves accompanied by a great drum-roll, in unordered and, above all, in blaring crowds . . . .
". . . As far as the A-Major movement is concerned, Mahler said, it is like lying on your back in a green meadow, with the heavens and the clouds above, thinking of those you love. For the time being I will not release anything for the first volume of letters."