Brahms, Johannes

[to the conductor Hermann Levi], asking him to make the string parts at the words "ins Ungewiße" (indicated by three bars notated as figured bass) conform to the manuscript score now in Leipzig, writing out the revised timpani part in the final tutti (five bars at Letter "N"), suggesting that they wait until after the concert before dealing with the minor alterations for the chorus, and enquiring if all was well with the score of the Triumphlied op.55 ("... bitte ich dich einen Zettel beizulegen für den Leipziger Stecher oder Correktor, dass an dieser Stelle für Viol 1 u. 2 u. Viola die Partitur maaßgebend sei (d.h. Die Partitur in Leipzig)...")

1 page, oblong 8vo (c.14 x 21cm), early annotation naming the recipient on verso (partly obscured by the mount), framed and glazed with a printed portrait of the composer (overall size: c.46.5 35.5cm), no place or date [Vienna, before 18 October 1871]

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."

UNPUBLISHED: this letter is not recorded in the Brahms-Briefverzeichnis at Lübeck. Brahms provides detailed instructions for the revision of the score and parts of Schicksalslied op.54, apparently in advance of the first performance on 18 October 1871.  The recipient Hermann Levi was closely involved with this work, preparing the piano reduction for the vocal score and making copies for the engraver (C.G. Röder in Leipzig). It is presumably Levi's Stichvorlage for the full score that Brahms means when he refers to "the score in Leipzig". Schicksalslied, to words by Hölderlin, is one of Brahms's loveliest choral works; although not widely known nowadays, it is regarded by many as a worthy pendant to Brahms's German Requiem (1866). The two passages referred to by Brahms start eight bars before Letter M (p.52 of the Simrock full score) and Letter N (p.60).