Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy to Heinrich Baermann, 14 February 1831
To Heinrich Baermann
Source US-NYpm, Mary Flagler Cary Music Collection - Letters, MFC M5377. B141. No digitisation currently available.
Transcription Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix, et al. Sämtliche Briefe. Kassel: Bärenreiter, 2008, vol. II p. 205–8.
Summary A long, affectionate and conversational letter in which Mendelssohn expresses his longing to visit Baermann in Munich later in the year, and to play music for him. He describes his previous visit as ‘the merriest days I have ever had’ and expresses his wish to talk with Baermann again as he misses stimulating musical conversation. Mendelssohn humorously gives his impressions of the Rome opera and overall musical culture, comparing it unfavourably with London, Venice and Florence in both singing and playing standard, and complaining about the use of keyed trumpets. But despite this he describes and enjoyable and productive stay.
