GOTTFRIED VON EINEM Composer autographed musical quote from Der Zerrissene 1970

Description

Autographed 5.75” x 8.25” musical quotation on a large leaf with 5 bars from his first comic opera, “Der Zerrissene”, Naumberg, January 7, 1970.
Von Einem (1918-1996) wrote his first comic opera from a farce by the 19th Century Viennese playwright and actor Johann Nestroy.  The work was a commission from Wolfgang Sawallisch at the Hamburg Staatsoper.  His previous two operas, “Dantons Tod” and “Der Prozess” premiered at the Salzburg Festival in 1947 and 1953 respectively.  “Der Zerrissene” Op. 31 (The Man Torn in Two) was written to a libretto by his mentor Boris Blacher between 1961 and 1962 and the World Premiere was staged on September 17, 1964 with Swallisch on the podium.
The Swiss critic and musicologist Willi Schuh attended the World Premiere and wrote the following about Einem’s music;
witty and imaginative music...has totality...very tastefully designed….where else does one find nowadays a modern comic opera which entertains as wittingly, offers so much that is attractive in its’ musical detail and is distinguished by such a vivacious flow of music making.
(Tempo, New Series, No. 71, Winter 1964-65 p. 22-24)
Einem was known for not subjecting himself to neoclassicism, or twelve tone schools and instead wrote lyrical works with modern harmonies reminiscent of Richard Strauss in his early works.
Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc.
Music Antiquarian and Appraiser
New York, New York