Natalie Curtis to Ferruccio Busoni arrow_backarrow_forward

March 24, 1911

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Mus. Nach. F. Busoni BII, 1351
1
March 24.
1911
33. West 64,
New York.

My dear Mr. Busoni,

On applying for
tickets for your March
April 5th concert I
learn that the recital
has been cancelled. I
hope this decision does
not mean that you
are tired out with the
long strain of much
travelling and much
playing, though I should
think that such demands
upon an artist-nature
would be indeed ex-
hausting!

March 24. 1911 33. West 64, New York.

My dear Mr. Busoni,

On applying for tickets for your March April 5th concert I learn that the recital has been cancelled. I hope this decision does not mean that you are tired out with the long strain of much travelling and much playing, though I should think that such demands upon an artist-nature would be indeed exhausting!

The world of art cannot afford to lose any of your strength and the doctrine of „conservation“ that we are now advocating so vigorously in all the practical issues of our national life should certainly be made to apply to the Herculean demands we make upon the musicians who come to teach us. I am deeply disappointed not to hear you again but I am still more sorry if the cause is fatigue on your part. Is there any hope that you will return another year? –

I send you some more Indian Songs simply hoping that they may help to pass some of the tedious hours of railway travel. I would have sent them before, only that I was called away to be aunt-in-command of my married sisters household in the country during my sister’s absence You have no doubt heard that Mrs. Rich is a grandmother and all is well?

With hearts greetings and best wishes, your sincere friend Natalie Curtis.

                                                                
<div xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" type="split"> <note type="shelfmark" resp="#archive">Mus. Nach. F. Busoni BII, 1351</note> <note type="foliation" resp="#archive">1</note> <opener> <dateline> <date when-iso="1911-03-24">March 24. <lb/>1911 </date> <lb/>33. West 64, <lb/>New York. </dateline> <salute>My dear Mr. <persName key="E0300017">Busoni</persName>, </salute> </opener> <p>On applying for <lb/>tickets for your March <lb/><date when-iso="--04-05">April 5th</date> concert I <lb/>learn that the recital <lb/>has been cancelled. I <lb/>hope this decision does <lb/>not mean that you <lb/>are tired out with the <lb/>long strain of much <lb/>travelling and much <lb/>playing, though I should <lb/>think that such demands <lb/>upon an artist-nature <lb/>would be indeed ex <lb break="no"/>hausting! </p> </div>
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The world of art cannot
afford to lose any of
your strength and the
doctrine of „conservation“
that we are now advocating
so vigorously in all the
practical issues of our
national life should cer-
tainly be made to apply
to the Herculean demands
we make upon the musicians
who come to teach us. I
am deeply disappointed
not to hear you again
but I am still more sorry
if the cause is fatigue
on your part. Is there
any hope that you will

                                                                
<div xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" type="split"> <note type="foliation" resp="#archive">2</note> <p type="pre-split">The world of art cannot <lb/>afford to lose any of <lb/>your strength and the <lb/>doctrine of „conservation“ <lb/>that we are now advocating <lb/>so vigorously in all the <lb/>practical issues of our <lb/>national life should cer <lb break="no"/>tainly be made to apply <lb/>to the Herculean demands <lb/>we make upon the musicians <lb/>who come to teach us. I <lb/>am deeply disappointed <lb/>not to hear you again <lb/>but I am still more sorry <lb/>if the cause is fatigue <lb/>on your part. Is there <lb/>any hope that you will </p></div>
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return another year? –

I send you some more Indian
Songs simply hoping that they may
help to pass some of the tedious hours
of railway travel. I would have sent
them before, only that I was called
away to be aunt-in-command
of my married sisters household in
the country during my sister’s absence
You have no doubt heard that
Mrs. Rich is a grandmother and all
is well?

With hearts greetings and
best wishes, your sincere friend
Natalie Curtis.

                                                                
<div xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" type="split"><p type="split"> return another year? – </p> <p> I send you some more Indian <lb/>Songs simply hoping that they may <lb/>help to pass some of the tedious hours <lb/>of railway travel. I would have sent <lb/>them before, only that I was called <lb/>away to be aunt-in-command <lb/>of my married sisters household in <lb/>the country during my sister’s absence <lb/>You have no doubt heard that <lb/>Mrs. Rich is a grandmother and all <lb/>is well?</p> <closer> <salute> With hearts greetings and <lb/>best wishes, your sincere friend <lb/>Natalie Curtis. </salute> </closer> </div>
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Document

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Provenance
Deutschland | Berlin | Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin · Preußischer Kulturbesitz | Musikabteilung mit Mendelssohn-Archiv | Nachlass Ferruccio Busoni | Mus.Nachl. F. Busoni B II, 1351 | olim: Mus.ep. N. Curtis 4 |

proof Kalliope

Condition
Brief und Umschlag sind gut erhalten.
Extent
2 Blatt, 3 beschriebene Seiten
Hands/Stamps
  • Hand des Absenders Natalie Curtis, Brieftext in schwarzer Tinte, in lateinischer Schreibschrift
  • Hand des Archivars, der mit Bleistift die Signaturen eingetragen, eine Foliierung vorgenommen und das Briefdatum ergänzt hat
  • Hand des Archivars, der die Zuordnung innerhalb des Busoni-Nachlasses mit Rotstift vorgenommen hat
  • Bibliotheksstempel (rote Tinte)
  • Poststempel (schwarze Tinte)
Image source
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin · Preußischer Kulturbesitz: 123456

Summary
Curtis bedauert die Absage von Busonis Konzert am 5. April 1911, befürchtet als Ursache Erschöpfung; sendet weitere indianische Lieder; berichtet, Mrs. Rich sei nun Großmutter.

Editors in charge
Christian Schaper Ullrich Scheideler
prepared by
Revision
May 8, 2023: unfinished (currently being prepared (transcription, coding))
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