Schenker Correspondence Project

Handwritten letter from Halm to Schenker, dated January 27, 1917

27.I.17

Sehr geehrter Herr Professor,

Mein Klaviersatz ist mit meinen musikalischen Bedürfnissen zusammen gewachsen, infolgedessen mehr von der Klavierauszugstechnik bestimmt worden. Ich danke Ihnen aber für Ihre diesbezüglichen Ausführungen.¹ — Meine Klavierschule denke ich mir zunächst nur in etwa 5-7 Druckbögen;² ich könnte mich darüber nur ziemlich ausführlich erklären u. bedauere daher doppelt die Verzögerung, die mein Aufsatz darüber erleidet, den Sie wahrscheinlich immer nocht nicht erhalten haben. Ich schrieb an den musikalischen Schriftleiter der Zeischrift “Das neue Österreich” (existiert sie noch?) Herrn Baron von Wächter,³ seit langem vergeblich, hernach an die Chefredaktion—gleichermaßen ohne {2} Antwort zu erhalten, so daß ich fürchte, die Zeitschrift hat sich ihr Erscheinen unterbrochen u. meine Arbeit liegt irgendwo in einem verschlossenen Büro. Nach einiger Zeit werde ich ja auch ein druckfertiges Manuskript meiner Klavierschule haben, das ich dann der Univ.-Edition vorlegen kann. Nimmt sie dann überhaupt gegenwärtig neue Sachen an? Ich hätte eine Serenade (Streichtrio, für Schul- u. Hausmusik geeignet) druckfertig,⁴ bald auch eine Sonate bzw. Suite f. Viol. u. Cello mit Klavierbegleitung (gleichfalls für Liebhaber u. Schüler gedacht).⁵ Ich unterrichte seit Kriegsausbruch an einem Lehrerseminar als Hilfslehrer u. habe meine wenige Freizeit zum größten Teil solchen Bedürfnissen gewidmet.⁶ Mit hochachtungsvollem Gruß

Stuttgart [sign’d:] A. Halm
Lehenstr. 21

© In the public domain.
© Transcription Lee Rothfarb, 2006.

Handwritten letter from Halm to Schenker, dated January 27, 1917

January 27, 1917

Dear Professor!

My compositional style for piano is fused with my musical requirements, consequently more determined by techniques of piano arrangements. However, I thank you for your comments in this regard.¹ Initially, I imagine my piano method in only 5-7 gatherings;² I could only explain rather extensively and regret doubly, therefore, the delay that my essay on the topic has experienced, which you probably still have not received. Some time ago, I wrote in vain to the editor of the periodical Das neue Österreich (does it still exist?), Baron von Wächter,³ and thereafter to the office of the editor in chief—similarly without {2} receiving an answer. I fear, therefore, that the appearance of the periodical has been interrupted, and my work is lying somewhere in a locked office. After a time I will of course also have a manuscript of my piano method ready for print which I can present to Universal Edition. Are they even currently accepting new things? I could have a serenade (string trio, suitable for school and domestic music-making) ready for print,⁴ and soon a sonata, or rather suite for violin and cello with piano accompaniment (also conceived for amateurs and students).⁵ Since war broke out, I am teaching at a teacher training institute as adjunct faculty and for the most part have devoted my scant free time to such necessities.⁶ With respectful greetings

Stuttgart [ sign’d: ] August Halm
Lehen Street 21

© Translation Lee Rothfarb, 2006.

COMMENTARY:
Format: 2-p letter, holograph message and signature
Sender address: Stuttgart, Lehenstraße 21
Recipient address: --

FOOTNOTES:

¹ Federhofer transcribes the first sentence of this letter in Heinrich Schenker: Nach Tagebüchern und Briefen, 135. The letter to which H replies appears not to have survived.

² Halm’s piano method (Klavierübung) embraces three volumes: vol. 1, Stuttgart, Zumsteeg, 1918; vol. 2, ed. Willi Apel (a former Wickersdorf student of Halm), 1932; vol. 3 (unpublished).

³ Wächter, Baron Eberhard von [create biogfile]

⁴ Probably refers to one of Halm’s three serenades for string trio (G major, C major, G major), published in volumes 11 and 12 in Bärenreiter’s series of Halm’s chamber music, first published in Hausmusik, ed. Fritz Jöde, vols. 4-5 (Wolfenbüttel, 1919).

⁵ Probably refers to one of Halm’s three suites for piano trio (D major, C major, B minor), published in volumes 2 and 3 in Bärenreiter’s series of Halm’s chamber music (Kassel, Bärenreiter, 1922), the first of which appeared as supplement in the Neue Musikzeitung 40 (1919).

⁶ During World War I, Halm taught as adjunct faculty at a teaching training institute in Esslingen, just outside of Stuttgart (Protestant Teacher’s College, Evangelische Lehrerbildungsanstalt) from 1914 to 1918.

SUMMARY:
Discusses plans for his Piano Method (Klavierschule), which he intends to submit to UE. Publication of his article on this has been delayed. Describes other works ready for publication, and his current wartime post.

© Commentary, Footnotes, Summary Lee A. Rothfarb, 2006

Rothfarb, Lee
Halm, August
Discusses plans for his Piano Method (Klavierschule), which he intends to submit to UE. Publication of his article on this has been delayed. Describes other works ready for publication, and his current wartime post.
DE
Cambridge University Faculty of Music-Ian Bent
IPR: In the public domain; Transcription, Translation, Commentary, Footnotes, and Summary: Lee A. Rothfarb, 2006.
Halm, August; Schenker, Heinrich; Klavierschule; piano method; Das neue Österreich; New Austria; Wächter, Baron Eberhard von; article; Hausmusik; serenade; suite; teacher training institute
Handwritten letter from Halm to Schenker, dated January 27, 1917
letter
academic; musicology; music theory
OJ 11/35, 2
1917-01-27
2006-03-03
Halm
This document is deemed to be in the public domain as of January 1, 2000, and is published with the agreement of the heirs of August Halm 2006.
holograph message and signature
Schenker, Heinrich (1917-1935)--Schenker, Jeanette (1935-c.1942)--Ratz, Erwin (c.1942-c.1955)--Jonas, Oswald (c.1955-1978)--University of California, Riverside (1978--)
IPR: In the public domain; Image: University of California, Riverside; Transcription, Translation, Commentary, Footnotes, and Summary: Lee Rothfarb.
Stuttgart
1917