Mendelssohn, Felix - Autograph Letter Signed 1846

German composer (1809-1847), pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period and one of the greatest in music history.

Beautiful 1-page autograph letter signed by him, to German composer and cellist August Julius Rietz (1812-1877). Rietz edited many works of Mendelssohn, succeeded him as conductor of the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, and would later become a teacher of Arthur Sullivan.

In this autograph letter, Mendelssohn recommends to Rietz a new student named Julius Tausch (1827-1895). Only 19 at that time, Tausch would go to study with Rietz in Dusseldorf (where Rietz lived for 37 years), and would later become an accomplished pianist.

The letter is dated November 5th, 1846 in Leipzig, and is written in German. Mendelssohn writes "This is to ask you to become the bearer, Mr. Julius Tausch, whom David, after your letter, is pushing in the direction of Dusseldorf. He is a really good and talented musician, plays the piano with great skill, and is well endowed in other ways behind the ears, so you can happily take him around with you and be of great help to him". Size is 5.4 x 8.3 inches, central fold, in excellent condition.

On the bottom right, Rietz writes about the provenance of this letter and signs, dating his signature in 1870.

ALSO INCLUDED is a steel engraving of Mendelssohn by Richard Bentley, London, dated in 1851, and is 7 x 10.1 inches, minor water stain over the top left corner, otherwise in excellent condition.