René Trémine's concert list for Mannheim on 8 December 1917 reads: Works by Pfitzner, with Furtwängler playing the piano. But no further details about these works are provided. We checked all possible sources, in particular the newspapers of that time: there was no Pfitzner concert on 8 December 1917.
However, a chamber music concert dedicated to Pfitzner did take place on Monday 7 October 1918 at the Harmonie hall in Mannheim. Here again, it is mentioned on the list, but without any details. After some research, the programme included:
– Violin Sonata, op. 27
– 5 Lieder op. 9
– Trio op. 8
with :
- Furtwängler, piano,
- Hugo Birkigt, violin,
- Carl Müller, cello,
both soloists with the Theatre Orchestra
- Johanna Lippe, soprano, member of the troupe.
The announcement was made on the 2nd; but on October 4th an insert stated: "... the Pfitzner evening has to be postponed as Hofkapellmeister Furtwängler is unable to perform the piano part due to a hand injury. All tickets already withdrawn remain valid for the new date, which will be announced as soon as possible."
A real impossibility? Diplomatic illness? When will the concert take place? We're still waiting...
