Strauss, Richard

to Toscanini (“Verehrtester Maëstro, lieber Freund!”), writing that he has just heard that the conductor will direct the symphonic poem Tod und Verklärung in Luzern with the Orchestra of La Scala, explaining how touched he is by the performance and the affection he has for La Scala, where so many of his operas had been performed; he explains that he is unable to attend, owing to ill-health, and he has to remain in his present place of asylum; 2 pages, 8vo (18 x 14.5cms), Hotel Beau-Rivage, Ouchy, Lausanne; with autograph envelope stamped and postmarked, and a second envelope addressed to Toscanini dated 1929; and a telegram from Pauline Strauss (who may have attended the 1946 performance: “Begeistert und zu Tränen gerührt”)

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."

A letter of great poignancy. When the Nazis took power in 1933, Toscanini abjured Bayreuth and did not perform again in the Axis countries until after the war, when he triumphantly re-opened the rebuilt Scala in 1946. Strauss had replaced Toscanini in Bayreuth in 1933, conducting Parsifal, a decision which history judged a bad one.

Toscanini had been a champion of Strauss’s music, especially the tone poems and the opera Salome. Strauss, who had taken refuge in Switzerland with his wife, and was awaiting de-Nazification, writes of his respect for Toscanini and his orchestra. That Toscanini conducted Strauss’s works despite everything, must have meant much to the composer.