Description
Scholars were completely unaware of the existence of this small Lied composition when the autograph was first discovered in 2007 as part of Franz Graf Pocci's (1807-1876) estate at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Bavarian State Library). It sets an unknown poem Wenn die letzte Sterne bleichen (When the Last Stars Fade) to music. Franz Liszt (1811-1886) composed it for Pocci during a stay in Munich, when he gave four public concerts, as the dedication reveals:"Bey Frau von | Arnim | für den Grafen | Pocci | 20 October 1843 F. Liszt" (At Mrs von Arnim's for Count Pocci, 20 October 1843, F. Liszt). Liszt and Pocci were guests at the salon of Bettina von Arnim (1785-1859), who stayed with her three daughters in Munich at the same time. Presumably, Armgart von Arnim (1821-1880), whom Liszt adored, launched the composition at this convivial gathering. The transcript of the song, which Liszt must have written in great haste, contains numerous corrections. Datum: 2016
Author
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Musikabteilung