Autograph letter signed.
8vo. 2 pages. In German.
€ 8,500.00
To Hermann Scherchen on his"Six Pieces for Orchestra, op. 6, his Symphony, op. 28, and Schoenberg's op. 31 Variations. Webern is delighted to hear that Scherchen plans to perform one of his works in Vienna in the autumn: "I would like it best if you choose my Six Pieces for Orchestra, op. 6 - I call them the 'large' in contrast with the 'small' op. 10. As I believe I already told you, last summer I completely re-orchestrated these pieces (the 'large' op. 6). The orchestral make-up has now become quite simple and much smaller […] I think that this new score will greatly interest you!" The pieces have not been performed in Vienna since the "memorable performance under Schoenberg in the year 1913, in which you took part", and Webern has not heard them since then: "So you would give me great pleasure if you choose this work. It would also be valuable if the Viennese heard these pieces again, before my Symphony is played to them!" As regards Schoenberg, Webern strongly recommends his op. 31 Variations, although "Schoenberg himself has something against it: he is so angry with this city"; so Scherchen should discuss it with the composer; but "we all (Berg, Stein and I) would be happy" to hear the work performed. In a postscript, Webern asks whether Scherchen has the score for the orchestral arrangement of his op. 5 String Quartet.
Webern's original orchestration of his atonal op. 6 was indeed "large": the orchestra was comparable to that used by Mahler in his Symphony no. 6 - more than 110 musicians.
Sotheby's, 22 May 1987, lot 649.
Apart from a small trace of rust from a paper clip, the letter is in perfect condition.
