The House of Wittgenstein: A Family at War

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The House of Wittgenstein: A Family at War Page 36

by Alexander Waugh


  156 "Paul Wittgenstein, having been robbed of his right arm." Unsigned review, Neues Wiener Tagblatt, 9/30/1924.

  157 "Strauss is very avaricious." PW to MD, 1/30/1928, BL.

  157 "had to be changed de fend en comble." PW to MD, 3/25/1927, BL.

  157 "How can I with my one poor hand." Quoted in MD, "Memoirs," vol. 2, p. 45.

  157 "It is easy to understand that this pianist." Adolf Weissmann, quoted in unsigned article, "A Radio Opera Premiere," NYT, 2/19/1928, p. 116.

  158 "uninteresting opinions of uninteresting persons." PW to MD, 3/21/1928, BL.

  158 "I am so sorry that the Berlin press tore you." Es tut mir sebr hid, dass die Presse von Posuwitz Berlin Ibnen mein Stuck so zerrissen bat. Icb weiss, dass der Panatbendenzug nicbt scblecbt ist, aber fur so gut, dass er die Ebre einer einstimmigen Ablebnung erfdbrt, babe icb ibn nicbt gebalten. Richard Strauss to PW, 2/8/1928, printed in Flindell, "Dokumente," p. 426.

  158 "Paul Wittgenstein finds here a wealth of activity." Julius Korngold review, Neue Freie Presse, 3/15/1928.

  159 "Paul Wittgenstein has been much sought here." Unsigned article, "One Armed Pianist to Play," NYT, 8/2/1928, p. 25.

  159 "Having to work and moreover to earn money." PW to MD, 9/21/1927, BL.

  44. THE DEATH OF MRS. WITTGENSTEIN

  160 "My mother tried to smooth the surface." HWi, p. 104.

  161 "Gentlemen, I am old and sick and easily tired." HWi, p. 94.

  161 "It was weird. Mama slept." MSt to Thomas Stonborough, 6/8/1926, quoted in Prokop, p. 161.

  161 "It was a gentle death." Lieber Freund! Heute frub ist meine Mutter gestorben. Es war ein sanfter Tod. LW to Rudolf Koder, 6/3/1926, GBW.

  161 "It was a very beautiful night!" Es war eine sebr scbone Nacbt. MSt to Thomas Stonborough, 6/8/1926, quoted in Prokop, p. 161.

  161 "Yes, it can be said that my mother." Ja, meine Mutter batte in vielen Stucken fast etwas von einer Heiligen an sicb und sie wurde aucb so geliebt, verebrt und betrauert von unzabligen Menscben! Und docb ware dieses Bild nicbt vollstdndig und nicbt anmal ganz dbnlicb, wenn nicbt nocb einige sonderbare Eigentumlicbkeiten erwdbnt wurden, die meiner Mutter das Leben scbwer macbten, und die es aucb fur uns Kinder oft scbwer macbte 162 n, ibr gerecbt zu werden. HWi, p. 94.

  45. FROM BOOM TO BUST

  162 "Paul played so splendidly today." Marie Baumayer to HW, 9/21/1926, ONB.

  163 "I come home very depressed with a headache." Jacques Groag to his brother, Emo Groag, c. 2/1927, quoted in Paul Wijdeveld, Ludwig Wittgenstein: Architect, reprinted in Flowers, vol. 2, p. 146.

  163 "two great people had come together." Zwei grosse Menscben waren da als Arcbitekt und Bauberr zusammengekommen und so konnte bei diesem etwas in seiner Art Vollendetes gescbaffen werden. HWi, p. 114.

  164 "all the anger that he felt against himself." MSt to Thomas Stonborough, 12/29/1928, quoted in Prokop, p. 184.

  164 "He is my husband and I cannot destroy." Er ist mein Mann und icb kann nicbtum Geld das Menscblicbe zerstoren. MSt to Thomas Stonborough, 11/12/1929, quoted in ibid., p. 195.

  46. MORE ON PAUL'S CHARACTER

  166 "I remember how mentally difficult." Dr R T. Grant, undated letter, to Georg von Wright, pc.

  166 "Rain was disregarded." MD, "Memoirs," vol. 2, p. 27.

  167 "He was like no one else." Erna Otten-Attermann to Fred Flindell, 6/20/1967, pc.

  167 "the most charming man." Leonard Kastle to the author, 2/23/2007.

  168 "between him and me acquaintance mellowed." MD, "Memoirs," vol. 2, p. 29. 168 168 "One evening at Southwold I asked Paul." Ibid., p. 37.

  168 "a shell around him, like a suit of armour." Steve Portman to the author, 10/2006.

  169 "Paul was indignant; facing me in real anger." MD, "Memoirs," vol. 2, p. 38.

  169 "Both of them are, I think, really great people." Donald Francis Tovey to Stuart Deas, 1/1930, Edinburgh University Library.

  170 "He still makes me shudder." Leonard Kastle, "Paul Wittgenstein; Teacher and Friend," reprinted in Suchy, Janik and Predota, p. 68.

  170 "I wept a little." Philippa Shuyler, Scrapbook, 7/10/1941, quoted in Talalay, p. 91.

  170 "Paul's personality is unforgettable." MD, "Memoirs," vol. 2, p. 58.

  47. RUSSIA AND RAVEL

  171 "It is good music--very likely." Leopold Godowsky to Frieda Godowsky, 5/6/1928, quoted in Nicholas, p. 135.

  172 "Je me joue de difficultes." PW to Joachim Wechsberg, 2/5/1958, pc.

  172 "When dark envy dresses." Ms Gleicbbeit brustet sicb der dunkle Neid. Gilt jeder nur ais Menscb, Menscb sind sie alie Krieg jedem Vorzug beisst das Loesungswort. Franz Grillparzer, Libussa, Act V.

  172 "I was driven to desperation." PW, Russian Notes, c. 1935, p. 7, pc.

  172" 'Cafe au lait.' There is no milk." Ibid.

  173 "If you had kept the Tsar." JSt to Brian McGuinness, 1/18/1996, pc.

  173 "The Great Hall, as is generally the case." PW, Russian Notes, c. 1935, p. 11, pc.

  173 "Mr. Wittgenstein is presently on tour." Georg Kugel to Michel Astroff, 6/25/1930, PA.

  174 "Dear Master, allow me to express." PW to Sergei Prokofiev, 8/27/1930, PA.

  174 "If I had wanted to play without." Quoted in Prokofiev, Autobiography p. 293.

  174 "I suppose Ravel was disappointed." Wechsberg, p. 28.

  174 "Ravel's Concerto will probably be finished." PW to Sergei Prokofiev, 9/29/1930, PA.

  175 "Paul Wittgenstein's virtuoso performance." Paul Wittgensteins virtuose Leistung entfesselte sturmiscben Beifall. Review signed "r," Neue Freie Presse, 1/18/1932.

  176 "As soon as the performance was over." Long, p. 40.

  176 He wrote to the composer Karl Weigl. Ich babe gedacbt man offentlicbes Spielen langsam aufzugeben. PW to Karl Weigl, 2/22/1932, Yale University Library. 176 "I have cancelled the Paris concert." PW to MD, 4/2/1932, BL.

  "As for a formal commitment to play." PW to Maurice Ravel, 3/17/1932, quoted in Orenstein, p. 594.

  177 "It ruins the concerto." Seroff, p. 262.

  177 "a great work." PW to Donald Francis Tovey, 6/22/1932, Edinburgh University Library.

  177 "My quarrel with Ravel." Unsigned interview with PW, " One-Armed Pianist Undaunted by Lot," NYT, 11/4/1934, p. N7.

  48. PROKOFIEV

  178 "I cannot stand Bolsheviks!" Prokofiev, Diaries, 9/2/1930.

  178 "disappointed by the unattractive look." Ibid.

  178 "So what did you expect." Ibid.

  178 "What makes you commission." Ibid.

  179 "You could carry on playing." Ibid.

  179 "how he played with such love." Ibid.

  179 "You will have your own room." PW to Sergei Prokofiev, 3/20/1931, PA.

  179 "clearer than Strauss." PW to Sergei Prokofiev, 10/22/1930, PA.

  179 "I hope the concerto will prove satisfactory." Sergei Prokofiev to PW, 9/11/1931, PA.

  180 "Thank you for your concerto." Prokofiev, Autobiography, p. 293.

  180 "Given the excellent relationship." Sergei Prokofiev to PW, 10/8/1934, PA.

  180 "That is not fair. Your concerto." PW to Sergei Prokofiev, 10/11/1931, PA.

  180 "You don't owe me $3,000 but $2,250." Sergei Prokofiev to PW, 9/16/1931, printed in Flindell, "Dokumente," p. 429.

  180 "I have not formed any definite opinion." Prokofiev, Autobiography, p. 293.

  49. LOVE STORY

  181 Bassia Moscovici. Details concerning Bassia Moscovici are hard to find. Her Verlassenschaftsakt in the Vienna City Archives, BG Landstrasse 6A 414/1932, gives her parents' names and occupations, and her property at time of death. The Jewish Community Austrittsbucher simply record: IKG Austrittsbuch No.108/1931; 25. U. 1931: Bassia MOSCOVICI, geb. 23 [sic]. XU 1910 Bukarest, ledig XIX., Vegagasse 14. Im Verzeichnis der Verstorbenen in Wien (Hrsg.vom Magistrat der StadtWien), Vienna 1936, it is recorded: MOSKOWICI, Bassia (Pauline), Juwelierstochter, 22 J. (geb. 22. XII. 1910), gest. Sa., 23. April 1932 in Wien, 3. Bezirk, Kundmanngasse 19, Sarkom des Oberarms, rom.-kath; begr. Mo., 2
$. April 1932 Zentralfriedhof Wien, Gruppe 30b, Reihe 7, Grab Nr. 14.

  183 "Putting out her hand to greet me." MD, "Memoirs," vol. 2, p. 55.

  183 "Bassia has been in agony." Die Bassia liegt seit gestern Abend in Agonie. Sie wird bald sterben mussen. Ich denke oft an den Paul. Marguerite Respinger to LW, 4.22.1932, GBW

  183 "It made a great impression on me." Es hat mir einen grossen Eindruck gemacht. Nicht weil der Anblick eines Toten etwas erschreckendes fur mich hat--aber um einmal friedlich so daliegen zu konnen, wie muss man da gewesen seinl Gut. Marguerite Respinger to LW, 4.23.1931, GBW.

  183 "Paul has lost a lot and he admits it." Er hat viel verloren und gibt es auch zu, obwobl icb nicht ganz sicber bin, dass er dasselbe denkt wie icb, wenn er es zugibtl HW to LW, 4/26/1932, GBW.

  184 "Paul can only lose here." Verlieren kann dabei naturlicb nur der Paul aber zu andern ist nicbts! HW to LW, 5/7/1932, GBW.

  50. HIS AMERICAN DEBUT

  184 "Despite our admiration for the artist." P. Rytel, "Z Filharmonu: XII Koncert Symfoniczny," Gazeta Warszawska, 1932, no. 378, trans. Krystyna Klejn.

  184 "Performances by single-handed pianists." F. Szopski, "Georg Heoberg, Pawel Wittgenstein," Kurier Warszawski, 1932, no. 341.

  184 "Obviously one hand cannot replace two." Review signed "WF.," Polska Zbrojna, 1932, no. 343.

  184 "As to those compositions composed." Review signed "H.D.," "Z Filharmonu," Robotnik, 1932, no. 421.

  185 "Doubtless the greatest tribute." Review in New York Herald Tribune, 11/18/1934, p. 16.

  185 "I have every sympathy with Paul Wittgenstein." Ernest Newman review in Sunday Times, 8/21/1932.

  186 "It seems to me that one could continue." Es scbeint mir immer, ais konne man ad infinitum so fortreden wie diese Art der Kompositionen jetzt sind. Scbade fur Paul dass er in dieser Zeit nicbts wirklicb Gutes mebr bekommen kann! HW to LW, 2/7/1935, GBW.

  186 "The first and second movements I think." PW to Donald Francis Tovey, 1/14/1935, Edinburgh University Library.

  51. FURTHER COMPLICATIONS

  187 "a Strassenbabn Kontrolleur--a man who checked tram tickets." JSt to Brian McGuinness, 8/19/1993, pc. In various Viennese forms and directories Franz Schania gives his job as: Strassenbabnbeamter (Lehmann directory, 1935-7), Strassenbabn-Vizeinspektor (Lehmann, 1940), Obersekretar der Stadtiscbe Strassenbabn (Wiener Stadt und Landesarchiv: Politische Beurteilung, PB 265247, 1942), Wiener Verkebrsbetriebe Beamter (Lehmann, 1950) and Kanzleioberkommissar (in his will).

  188 "I lost my right arm in the war." PW, Application for a teaching post at the Hochschule fur Musik, 10/11/1930, reproduced in Suchy, Janik and Predota, p. 122.

  188 "Both Hofrat Dr Marx and Professor Mairecker." Minutes from the Hochschule staff committee meeting, 1930, in Archiv der Universitat fur Musik und darstellende Kunst, Vienna, reproduced in ibid., p. 121.

  188 "I love teaching." Article signed "G.N.," "Teaching Field in the United States Gains Adherent in Viennese Pianist," Musical Courier, 1/1939.

  189 "During the lesson and while you played." Erna Otten-Attermann interview with Albert Sassmann in Suchy, Janik and Predota, p. 37.

  52. RISING TENSIONS

  190 "extremely handsome with the neck." MD, "Memoirs," vol. 2, p. 66.

  "At the age of 40." J. N. Findlay, "My Encounters with Wittgenstein," Philosophical Forum, vol. 4, 1972-3, p. 171.

  191 "I think it's very difficult to understand them." LW to BR, autumn 1935, GBW.

  191 "Greetings to you from Dr Ludwig Wittgenstein." LW to Frau Oberleitner, copied to PW, pre-April 1932, pc.

  192 "The important thing is that the people have work." Rhees, Ludwig Wittgenstein, p. 226.

  192 "Russians told him his own work." Told by George Sacks in the play A Thinking Man as Hero, broadcast BBC2, 4/1973, quoted in Monk, p. 351.

  192 "One could live there." Fania Pascal, "Wittgenstein: A Personal Memoir," reprinted in Flowers, vol. 2, p. 222.

  192 "I am a communist at heart." Quoted in Monk, p. 343.

  194 "He has had an accident." Der neuste Witz uber ibn ist, dass er einen Unfall gebabt bat. Er ist bam Ribisel Pflucken von der Later gefalien. MSt to Thomas Stonborough, undated, quoted in Prokop, p. 213.

  194 "Austrian with his heart and soul." HWi, p. 155.

  195 "Fascism in Austria is represented by the Heimwehr." Unsigned article, "Heimwehr Leader in Offer to Hitler," NYT, 1/29/1934.

  195 "We have much in common with the German Nazis." Unsigned profile of Ernst Rudiger von Starhemberg, "New Chancellor Foe of Anschluss," NYT, 7/27/1934.

  196 "Who knows what the future will bring?" Aber eigentlicb weiss docb niemand wie es weitergeben wird. Wir baben ja docb die eine feindlicbe Partei nur zum Scbweigen gebracbt, die andere--die Nationalsozialisten--ist bissiger und feindlicber denn je. Was wird man mit dieser macben? Kann man einen Kampf aufs Messer ausfecbten mit gutem Ausgang? HW to LW, 2/1934, GBW

  196 "could scarcely wipe the delight from his face." PW, Testament Appendix, 1/31/1945 [sic], p. 10, WMGA, pc.

  197 "Reich Troops Pour Through Austria." Front page, NYT, 3/18/1938.

  198 "The Greater German Reich has risen." Ibid.

  53.PATRIOT IN TROUBLE

  202 "As I entered the room, the professor." Erna Otten-Attermann, interview with Albert Sassmann, in Suchy, Janik and Predota, p. 43.

  202 "Paul Wittgenstein was invited by me." Josef Reitler, endorsement of Paul Wittgenstein as piano teacher, 3/11/1938, copy of official English translation, 3/19/1938, pc.

  204 "those National Socialists." In Michael Wildt, Diejuden Politik des SD, quoted in Friedlander, p. 242.

  205 "The Jew must clear out of Europe." Derjude mufi aus Europa beraus. Wir kriegen sonst keine europdiscbe Verstandigung Er betzt am meisten uberall. Letzten Endes: Icb weifi nicbt, icb bin kolossal human. Zur Zeit der pdpstlicben Herrscbaft in Rom sind die Juden mifibandelt worden. Bis 1830 wurden acbt Juden jedes Jabr durcb die Stadt getrieben, mit Eseln. Icb sage nur, er mufi weg Wenn er dabei kaputtgebt, da kann icb nicbt belfen. Icb sebe nur eines: die absolute Ausrottung wenn sie nicbt freiwillig geben. Trevor-Roper, 1/23/1942, p. 193.

  205 "Wir gelten als Juden." HWi, p. 156.

  54. FIRST PLANS

  207 "What can be said about the marriage." From Mitteilungsblatt des Reicbsverbandes der Nicbtariscben Christen, 3/1936, quoted in Friedlander, p. 158.

  207 "She was discovered to be a half-Judin." Unity Mitford to her sister Diana Guinness, 12/23/1935, in Mosley, p. 68.

  208 "Of course poor Heinz was completely erledigt." Unity Mitford to her sister Diana Guinness, 7/18/1938, in ibid., p. 125.

  208 "Our most intimate family." HWi, p. 155.

  208 "Pur sang!" Quoted in McGuinness, Wittgenstein: A Life, p. 1. 209 "even apart from all the nasty consequences." LW to John Maynard Keynes, 3/18/1938, GBW.

  209 "something I have always rejected." Ibid.

  209 "by the annexation of Austria by Germany." Ibid.

  209 "they are almost all retiring." Ibid.

  210 "Although I won't join with you." LW to PW, 5/30/1938, pc.

  211 "to prove the German and Christian nature." Durcb die beigefugten Daten und Legenden die deutscb-cbristlicbe Einstellung der Familie W und ibre zablreicben Verdienste um ibr Vaterland bewasen ... diese Einstellung zum Gemanwobl aucb unter dem neuen Regime nacb Kraften zu beweisen, obwobl das Eamilienvermogen durcb die Einwirkungen des Weltkrieges und insbesondere der Inflation sebr bedeutend gescbmalert wurde. Quoted in Scbiedsinstanz fur Naturalrestitution, 206/2006, 7/12/2006, article 53.

  211 "Jews who become philanthropists." Trevor-Roper, 1/23/1942, p. 193.

  212 "exuding eroticism, with heavy face." From Martha Dodd, Through Embassy Eyes, quoted in Schad, p. 44.

  213 "a scarecrow." Trevor-Roper, 9/2/1942, p. 556.

  213 "A second Aryan grandparent is essential." Ein zweiter ariscber Grosselternteil sei notig HWi, p. 157.

  55. COUNTER-ATTACK

  214 "I want to be remembered as the daughter." Karl Menger, Reminisce
nces of the Wittgenstein Family, reprinted in Flowers, vol. 1, p. 115.

  216 "I want my children to become reformers." Ibid.

  216 "For all her social conscience." Ibid.

  217 "Computing how little there is." JSt to Joan Ripley, 1/2/2000, pc.

  217 "This inventory must be submitted." PWs completed form: "Verzeichnis uber das Vermogen von Juden," no. 19710, signed 7/15/1938, copy, pc. 219 219

  219 "This form has been completed." Ibid.

  56. ESCAPE

  219 "Paul suffered indescribably." HWi, p. 157.

  220 "she would like to see you oxford ." PW to MD, 6/13/1938, BL.

  220 "MY BROTHER-IN-LAW STONBOROUGH." Mein Schwager Stonborough ist heute Nacht plotzlicb verschieden. Mane Schwester wird spater kommen. Herzliche Grusse und Bedauern. Telegram PW to MD, 6/15/1938, BL.

  221 "Everything has been settled now." MD, "Memoirs," vol. 2, p. 60.

  221 "I offered him some of my jam." Ibid.

  222 "nice, honest and honorable man." JSt to Brian McGuinness, 1/22/1989, pc.

  222 "a full-hearted Nazi." Ein offenberziger Nazi. Viktor Matejka, Anregung ist alies, quoted by Herbert Exenberger in Gefangnis statt Erziebungjugendgefdngnis Kaiser-Ebersdorf 1940-1945 on the website of the Dokumentationsarchiv des osterreichischen Widerstandes, www.doew.at/thema/kaiserebersdorf/jugendgef.html.

  223 "One thing I can say: that you, dear Marga." PW to MD, 10/15/1938, BL.

  223 "As to the possibility of war, I do not know." Piero Sraffa to LW, 3/14/1938, GBW.

  224 "Herr Paul Wittgenstein; Re: III Jews 29/38 g." Staatskommissar in der Privatwirtschaft Franz Roitner to PW, 8/5/1938, copy, pc.

  225 Franz Schania was one of the millions of Austrians. Details of Franz Schania's affiliations with the Nazi Party may be found in his Gauakt (District NSDAP file) in the Wiener Stadt-und-Landesarchiv. The Gauakt is described as a "Politische Beurteilung" (political assessment), file no. PB 265247, compiled at the end of 1942 following a request by the Wiener Stadtische Strassenbahnen to the NSDAP Gauleitung, Vienna. Information from the Meldeamtsarchiv shows that Flat 19, Kandlgasse 32, into which Schania moved after the Kristallnacbt pogroms of November 1938, was previously occupied by the Jewish family of Wulwek, whose son, the musician Leo Wulwek, fled to safety in Palestine via Czechoslovakia. Leo's parents, Benjamin and Scheindel Wulwek, were first removed to an inferior flat nearby and on October 28, 1941, deported to the Lotz (Litzmannstadt) Ghetto, or Sammelbaus, at Schottenfeldgasse 53/7. Their names appear on a list of murdered Holocaust victims at http://www.avotaynu.com/holocaustlist/w.mt.htm. The names of Jews deported from Kandlgasse 32 where Schania acted as Blockbelfer, or Nazi informant, may be found on the Holocaust website http://www.lettertothestars.at/liste_opfer.php?searchterm=kandlgasse+32&action=search&x=3i&y=8. In Franz Schania's will (3/1/1964), located in his Verlassenscbaftsakt (probate file), EStLA, Verl. Abh. BG Innere Stadt I, Franz Schania, A4/9A238/70, he leaves nothing to Hilde or Kathe (daughters by his first marriage), because they "have only paid me the very slightest attention" (um micb ja nur allerwenigsten kummerten). On official forms during the war he denied the existence of Hilde. The villa at Gersthoferstrasse 30, where Hilde and her children were secreted in a flat from 1934 to 1938, belonged to the famous singer and friend of PW, Ruzena Herlinger. The flat was registered in Franz Schania's name to preserve the anonymity of PW, Hilde and the two illegitimate children. Ms. Herlinger, who was Jewish, fled to England in 1938. Franz Schania attempted to enlist PWs help to buy the villa but was refused. It was bought instead by an Aryan dentist called Anton Haller and demolished in 2005.

 

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