Herbert von Karajan (1908–1989).

A lovely collection of family correspondence. These tender and affectionate letters are addressed to his parents, Ernst von Karajan (1868–1951) and Martha von Karajan, née Kosmac. The first two letters date from Karajan’s early childhood: one was written in 1915 whilst on holiday with his grandfather in Grundlsee, and the other from Salzburg in February 1916. In April 1934, he was staying in Berlin, living at the Pension Splendid on Budapeststrasse. He recounts his trip to the Rhineland, to Mannheim and Frankfurt, and plans to go to Ulm. He mentions a letter to KRUPP, the purchase of a piano, his financial difficulties, and a recommendation to GÖBBELS. He mentions his forthcoming engagement in Aachen and his negotiations with the theatre manager for the post of Musikdirektor; there will be a good orchestra and an audience, and he will have to give eight concerts and a few opera performances… He mentions FURTWÄNGLER, BACKHAUS, Salomé, the Mozarteum… Summer holidays 1934 in Wangerooge; he is preparing for his rehearsals at the Mozarteum and asks for the score of RAVEL’s La Valse to be sent to him. From Aachen, in February–March 1935, he announces the premiere of Tannhäuser and mentions the first reviews…