Wolf, Hugo.

to a poem by Mörike ("Wenn ich, von deinem Anschaun tief gestillt"),  written in dark brown ink on up  to four three-stave systems per page, with a few alterations and corrections, the dynamic markings added by the composer throughout  in blue crayon (one in pencil), including a few further deletions and revisions in crayon, the Stichvorlage, marked up by and for the printer in pencil, including a few editorial annotations



3 pages, folio (c.34.5 x 26.5cms), 12-stave paper by Eberle ("J.E. & Co..No.12"),  the publisher's number 26231 added by the editor in blue crayon, [possibly Unterach am Attersee or Vienna, autumn 1888], annotated at the head in a later hand, splitting at top margin affecting title and small tears to margins, light browning  

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This song comes from Wolf's first great collection, the Gedichte von Eduard Mörike, published in 1889.  It is one of Wolf's finest love songs, supported by a quasi-orchestral piano accompaniment, which  builds to a shimmering climax, evoking the starry sky described in the final sextet of Mörike's sonnet and concluding with a piano postlude marked "sehr ausdrücksvoll".  The pianissimo tremolos introduced half-way-through the song recall Wagner's 'Liebestod' , while the harmonies reflect Parsifal: Wolf had recently been overwhelmed by attending Parsifal at Bayreuth.

"Von Tiefe dann zu Tiefen stürtzt mein Sinn
Ich höre aus der Gottheit nächt'ger Ferne
Die Quellen des Geschicks melodisch rauschen.
Betäubt kehr' ich den Blick nach Oben hin
Zum Himmel auf--da lächeln all Sterne;
Ich kniee, ihrem Lichtgesang zu lauschen"

Although Wolf's composition score of the entire Mörike songbook is in the Austrian National Library, this manuscript also appears to include important work in progress, with nearly all the autograph dynamic markings added by him subsequently in blue crayon.  The published edition contains a marking "zart" in the antepenultimate bar, which is missing here.  The song was composed on 11 October 1888, at the house of his friend Friedrich Eckstein in Unterach am Attersee, the culmination of a remarkable burst of creativity which resulted in no fewer than nine such songs in eight days, including several masterpieces.  "An die Geliebte" was published in 1889 as no.32 in the Mörike cycle.  There is a proof copy of the first edition, dated 1 January 1889, with Wolf's autograph corrections, also in the Austrian National Library.