Mahler, Gustav. (1860-1911). Autograph Letter to Emil Gutmann - "better to play a symphony by Beethoven or Schumann, instead of one of mine!". Autograph letter, signed "Mahler." 1 page, postcard format, postmarked Graz, [April, 1908?]. Addressed to the Munich impresario Emil Gutmann (1877 - 1920) in Munich, in German. Translated in full:
"Dear Mr. Gutmann! First of all, I have to remark that I have to demand the Munich rehearsal right after the concert in Wiesbaden, because I will not make the trip twice under any circumstances. Further, I am just thinking now if it wouldn't be better to play symphony by Beethoven or Schumann, instead of one of mine! Please give me your opinion on this. Will there be a soloist in this concert as well? The date is fine with me, but I would have preferred a bit later. Best regards, Mahler // From today on, back in Vienna"
The impresario Emil Gutmann, active in Munich and later in Berlin, organized the premiere in 1910 of Mahler's Eighth Symphony and was also responsible for coining its nickname, 'Symphony of a Thousand'. His concert agency was central to Munich's musical life of that era. The present letter evidently refers to Mahler's performances in Wiesbaden on 8 May, 1908 (at which he conducted his own First Symphony and works by Mendelssohn and Beethoven) and to his performance, under Gutmann's supervision, in Munich on 27 October, 1908 at which Mahler conducted his Symphony No. 7 and works by Wagner and Beethoven.
Mahler, Gustav. (1860-1911). Autograph Letter to Emil Gutmann - "better to play a symphony by Beethoven or Schumann, instead of one of mine!". Autograph letter, signed "Mahler." 1 page, postcard format, postmarked Graz, [April, 1908?]. Addressed to the Munich impresario Emil Gutmann (1877 - 1920) in Munich, in German. Translated in full:
"Dear Mr. Gutmann! First of all, I have to remark that I have to demand the Munich rehearsal right after the concert in Wiesbaden, because I will not make the trip twice under any circumstances. Further, I am just thinking now if it wouldn't be better to play symphony by Beethoven or Schumann, instead of one of mine! Please give me your opinion on this. Will there be a soloist in this concert as well? The date is fine with me, but I would have preferred a bit later. Best regards, Mahler // From today on, back in Vienna"
The impresario Emil Gutmann, active in Munich and later in Berlin, organized the premiere in 1910 of Mahler's Eighth Symphony and was also responsible for coining its nickname, 'Symphony of a Thousand'. His concert agency was central to Munich's musical life of that era. The present letter evidently refers to Mahler's performances in Wiesbaden on 8 May, 1908 (at which he conducted his own First Symphony and works by Mendelssohn and Beethoven) and to his performance, under Gutmann's supervision, in Munich on 27 October, 1908 at which Mahler conducted his Symphony No. 7 and works by Wagner and Beethoven.