Correspondence to Alma Mahler and Franz Werfel, ca. 1940-1961.

Format:

Other

Author/Creator:

Korngold, Erich Wolfgang, 1897-1957.

Contributor:

Korngold, Luise.

Stravinsky, Igor, 1882-1971.

Language:

English

German

Physical Description:

18 items (25 leaves)

Contained In:

Mahler-Werfel Papers. Folder 662.

Place of Publication:

ca. 1940-1961.

Language Note:

In German and English.

Biography/History:

Luzi Korngold (born Luise von Sonnenthal) and Erich Wolfgang Korngold married in 1924. After Alma Mahler and Franz Werfel moved to California in 1941, the Korngolds were among the German-speaking émigrés there with whom Alma and Franz frequently socialized.

Summary:

The correspondence is mostly written by Luzi Korngold and addressed to Alma; 1 letter from Luzi addressed to Franz Werfel (dated 1940) is a deeply-felt response to his novel Der veruntreute Himmel. Luzi's letters to Alma frequently deliver news pertaining to Erich's career, especially performances and reception of his work, and their related travels. 2 items particularly highlight Alma's inspiring role in Erich's composing. In 1 letter of 1956 Luzi asks Alma to put in an encouraging word with the conductor Dimitri Mitropoulos, who, through Bruno Walter's mediation, was considering Erich's symphony for performance. 2 items refer to Luzi Korngold's books. In 2 items in 1954 and 1955 Luzi speaks of the music critic and composer Alois Melichar and his recent book, as well as an article he had written about Franz Werfel. In 1 letter of 1949 Luzi shares with Alma a typed copy of a letter written to Erich from Pakistan, in which the writer expresses admiration for Korngold as well as Gustav Mahler; in 1 letter of 1952 Erich elaborately apologizes for their declining attendance at a reception in honor of Igor Stravinsky, enclosing a copy of his letter to Stravinsky. Also included is an undated clipping of a full-page cartoon by Rudolf Hermann entitled "Der zwölfjährige Korngold im Tempel -- und die Schriftgelehrten."

Notes:

Includes 13 items from Luise ("Luzi") Korngold; 2 items jointly from Erich and Luzi Korngold; a copy of 1 letter from an unidentified correspondent addressed to Erich Korngold (as an enclosure); and a copy of 1 letter from Erich Korngold to Igor Stavinsky (as an enclosure).