Sale 2461 - Autographs, November 7, 2017

“ARE YOU GOINGTOTHE KÖLN FESTIVAL?” 144 c   BRAHMS, JOHANNES.Autograph Letter Signed,“J. Brahms,” to botanist The- odor Wilhelm Engelmann, in German, discussing a marzipan treat and the recipient’s baby daughter, mentioning discussions in Italy with [music publisher Fritz] Simrock and [composer Theodor] Kirchner, requesting a festival program, and asking whether he expects to attend the “Köln Festival” [Lower Rhenish Music Festival?]. 3 pages, 8vo, written on a folded sheet, terminal page written vertically; short closed separa- tions at folds; matted with portrait in a double-sided frame.With the original envelope, addressed in holograph. Thun, 24 May 1887 [from postmark] [3,500/5,000] “. . . I have . . . just returned from Italy, where I spent the most gorgeous days . . . and in the evenings heard Simrock and Kirchner speak . . . about the [Leipzig?] Gewandhaus, Signale [music journal published by Bartholf Senff: Die Signale für die musikalische Welt ], Senff, [music publisher Ernst Wilhelm] Fritzsch, and many other such nice things. “. . . [S]end me a tempting festival program . . . . “. . .Are you going to the Köln Festival? I’m afraid I must go and have only the consolation that you and others can breathe. . . .” Brahms’s String Quartet No. 3 in B flat major was dedicated to Engelmann, who helped to arrange concerts for Brahms in Holland. On May 29-31, 1887, the Lower Rhenish Music Festival took place in Düsseldorf, at which two works by Brahms were performed:“Dort in denWeiden” and “Akademische Ouvertüre”.The previous year, the Festival took place in Köln.