Four autograph volumes by Antonio Salieri that had been considered lost since the composer’s death have been rediscovered, shedding new light on one of the most influential musical figures of late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Vienna.
The discovery was revealed by German musicologist Timo Jouko Herrmann, who has prepared a new edition of the manuscripts. According to Herrmann, the four volumes correspond to a set of red leather-bound books mentioned in Salieri’s 1823 will. The composer instructed that they be given after his death to Prince Joseph von Dietrichstein as a token of friendship and gratitude. Their whereabouts had remained unknown for two centuries.
The collection contains 149 vocal compositions, including canons, duets, trios and other short pieces. While many of the works were already known through copies preserved elsewhere, Herrmann says the manuscripts also include pieces previously unknown to scholars.
“The existence of the volumes was known from Salieri’s will, but they were considered lost after his death,” Herrmann told German broadcaster BR Klassik .
The manuscripts reportedly remained in private hands and have survived in remarkably good condition, with no missing pages and minimal signs of wear. Herrmann described the collection as unique because it was assembled by Salieri himself and offers a rare glimpse into the composer’s personal and social musical world.
Salieri, who served as Imperial Kapellmeister in Vienna and taught generations of musicians including Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Liszt, remains one of the most significant musical figures of his era. Although his reputation in popular culture has often been shaped by myths surrounding Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, recent decades have seen renewed scholarly interest in his own music and legacy.
Among the discoveries highlighted by Herrmann is a canon dated 11 May 1809, written during the bombardment of Vienna by Napoleon’s troops. The manuscript offers a rare personal connection to a dramatic moment in European history and illustrates how historical events intersected with Salieri’s creative life.
The newly rediscovered volumes are being published in a scholarly edition, providing researchers and performers with access to material that has remained hidden for generations.
Source: BR Klassik.
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