![Novello, Vincent. (1781-1861) [Graun, Carl Heinrich. (1704 - 1759)] Autograph Letter Signed re. Graun's "Der Tod Jesu"](http://www.schubertiademusic.com/cdn/shop/files/Novello_Vincent_Graun_ALSDerTodJesu21713a.jpg?v=1728678892)
![Novello, Vincent. (1781-1861) [Graun, Carl Heinrich. (1704 - 1759)] Autograph Letter Signed re. Graun's "Der Tod Jesu"](http://www.schubertiademusic.com/cdn/shop/files/Novello_Vincent_Graun_ALSDerTodJesu21713b.jpg?v=1728678892)
Novello, Vincent. (1781-1861) [Graun, Carl Heinrich. (1704 - 1759)]. Autograph Letter Signed re. Graun's "Der Tod Jesu".
ALS from the English organist and music publisher to on unidentified male recipient. [London,] 8 Percy Street, Thursday [illegible number]. 2 pp. The address "8 Percy Street" allows to date the letter to the period from 1820 to 1823. 7.75 x 6.25 inches (20 x 16 cm). In fine condition.
In full: "Dear Sir/ If you have a Card to spare this Season, I should much like to hear the Mass by Andre which I perceive by the Bills is to be brought forward tomorrow. - I should not have ventured to intrude this request, but that you were so kind as to favor one with a Card of Admission last season. - I have often felt surprised that Graun's 'Tod Jesu' has never been brought forward at the Oratorios. - The whole of this composition appears to me so masterly, that I think it would allow of being performed entire[ly], with the exception perhaps of a few of the c[h]orales which might probably appear rather heavy to the audience – but the others, particularly the one which is accompanied by the orchestra, would I think produce quit[e] a novel effect in the Theatre. - You are probably very well acquainted with this fine Production, but in case you s[houl]d not have yet met with it, I have sent a Copy which I thought you w[oul]d like to look over. - I have several Masses and other Sacred Music in Score, any of which, or all of which are perfectly at your service, if you wish to make use of them."
Vincent Novello, based in London, founded the music publishing house of the same name. A church musician by training, he composed a sizeable body of mostly sacred music, but his major achievement was as a pioneer in the revival of early music, creating awareness of repertories and composers of the past, and in the canonization of Mozart and Haydn, editing and championing their works. The present letter may have been addressed to the director of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, which had an ongoing series of Oratorio offerings around this time.
Carl Heinrich Graun's 1755 Der Tod Jesu (The Death of Jesus) was the most often performed Passion of the 18th century in Germany. The libretto was intended for Graun but a copy of Karl Wilhelm Ramler's text was somehow received by Telemann who produced his own setting of the oratorio (TWV 5:6) in Hamburg before Graun could perform the premiere in Berlin. The text is not a full retelling of the Passion of Christ and it does not quote Bible texts. Instead, it presents emotively various aspects of the Passion.
Novello, Vincent. (1781-1861) [Graun, Carl Heinrich. (1704 - 1759)]. Autograph Letter Signed re. Graun's "Der Tod Jesu".
ALS from the English organist and music publisher to on unidentified male recipient. [London,] 8 Percy Street, Thursday [illegible number]. 2 pp. The address "8 Percy Street" allows to date the letter to the period from 1820 to 1823. 7.75 x 6.25 inches (20 x 16 cm). In fine condition.
In full: "Dear Sir/ If you have a Card to spare this Season, I should much like to hear the Mass by Andre which I perceive by the Bills is to be brought forward tomorrow. - I should not have ventured to intrude this request, but that you were so kind as to favor one with a Card of Admission last season. - I have often felt surprised that Graun's 'Tod Jesu' has never been brought forward at the Oratorios. - The whole of this composition appears to me so masterly, that I think it would allow of being performed entire[ly], with the exception perhaps of a few of the c[h]orales which might probably appear rather heavy to the audience – but the others, particularly the one which is accompanied by the orchestra, would I think produce quit[e] a novel effect in the Theatre. - You are probably very well acquainted with this fine Production, but in case you s[houl]d not have yet met with it, I have sent a Copy which I thought you w[oul]d like to look over. - I have several Masses and other Sacred Music in Score, any of which, or all of which are perfectly at your service, if you wish to make use of them."
Vincent Novello, based in London, founded the music publishing house of the same name. A church musician by training, he composed a sizeable body of mostly sacred music, but his major achievement was as a pioneer in the revival of early music, creating awareness of repertories and composers of the past, and in the canonization of Mozart and Haydn, editing and championing their works. The present letter may have been addressed to the director of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, which had an ongoing series of Oratorio offerings around this time.
Carl Heinrich Graun's 1755 Der Tod Jesu (The Death of Jesus) was the most often performed Passion of the 18th century in Germany. The libretto was intended for Graun but a copy of Karl Wilhelm Ramler's text was somehow received by Telemann who produced his own setting of the oratorio (TWV 5:6) in Hamburg before Graun could perform the premiere in Berlin. The text is not a full retelling of the Passion of Christ and it does not quote Bible texts. Instead, it presents emotively various aspects of the Passion.