Letter to Eduard Lannoy

February 14, 1846

Miscellaneous Letters Collection, Irving S. Gilmore Music Library

Baron Eduard Lannoy (1787–1853) was a composer, poet, critic, and educator. Born in Belgium, he spent most of his career in Vienna, where he served as president of the conservatory, and was involved with the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. In this short letter, Mendelssohn mentions a recent performance by the Spohr Quartet, and thanks Lannoy for his kind words about Mendelssohn’s symphonies.

This letter belonged to Vladimir Horowitz (1903–1989). The most celebrated pianist of the 20th century, Horowitz became a wealthy man from his concert fees and record royalties. He spent part of his money acquiring a collection of important musical artifacts. In addition to this letter, Horowitz owned Mendelssohn’s Op. 19, no. 2 "Lied ohne Worte," (also on display) as well as letters by Liszt, Robert and Clara Schumann, and Tchaikovsky. Horowitz and his wife, Wanda Toscanini Horowitz, donated their papers to Yale between 1986 and 1992, but their collection of rare letters and manuscripts was cataloged separately.