Alma - 2 - Viennese Blood

On April 20th, 1873 roku Gisela Louise Mary, the eldest daughter of Emperor Franz Joseph, married Prince Leopold of Bavaria. On this occasion Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra gave a short concert after which came Johann Straus II and led the first performance of composed especially for this occasion waltz...


I suggest you turn on the above video as an accompaniment to this entry.

For music lovers this was a major event. Not because of the imperial and royal ceremonies, but because, until this time, Vienna Philharmonic treated John Strauss and his music with contempt. After the concert both, Johann Strauss and his waltzes, connected to the Vienna Philharmonic for good. The best evidence can be the lasting tradition of New Year's Concerts established in 1939.

Vienna in Franz Joseph times - amazing place where one could meet in cafes angry Slavic, Romanian or Hungarian nationalists and dreamy visionaries of Greater Germany or Panslavic Empire. In The Cafe Central Leon Trotsky played chess and during breaks disputed with the Austrian Social Democrats. In Cafe Louvre Theodor Herzl - the spiritual father of the state of Israel - CLICK - quarreled with Zionists.

It was an explosive mixture, which could break old order in Europe. Emperor Francis Joseph knew that and implemented tactic of small compromises in order to discharge the generated tensions and to prolong his reign. He prolonged it for another 40 years.

Françoise Giroud in the book - The art of being loved - writes that Vienna was the only place where artists and intellectuals were not going to rebel against the bourgeois elite. Maybe they were spoiled by wealthy Viennese bourgeoisie, who recognized art as a platform which leveled them with the aristocracy.

In such a Vienna, on August 31, 1879, Alma Maria Schindler was born to Emil Jakob Schindler and Anna von Bergen.
Emil Schindler was a painter, who managed to find mighty sponsors and it won him a lot of popularity and fortune that allowed him and his family reside in a stylish palace on the outskirts of Vienna. His studio and lounges were visited by many interesting people . He introduced his daughter into this world, he spent a lot of time with her, was her teacher and mentor. When Alma was eight years her father read her works of Goethe. No wonder that no one remembered to send Alma to school. Her formal education was limited to just a few months at school where the main emphasis was put on religious education.
So the sudden death of Emil Schindler when Alma was 13 years old was a big shock. Loneliness and isolation increased by the fact that her mother hastily married Carl Moll, pupil and assistant of her late husband.
Alma got another mentor, Max Burckhard, highly respected lawyer and cultural activist. He cared about her reading, introduced her to the world of music, led to Opera House, drove to Salzburg  for Mozart festivals. As a result, at the age of 17, Alma knew well European literature, was a fan of Wagner's music, fascinated by the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, knew Greek and Latin and tried to translate the works of St. Augustine. At that time care from Max Burckhard exceeded the limits of friendly mentorship. Alma was shocked, but also felt honored. She discovered the world of lust and passion
Father told her - reaching for the stars - and the star of the first brightness was within reach. A regular guest at the studio of her stepfather was Gustav Klimt, the leading representative of emerging Secession.

35-year-old Klimt enjoyed at that time great popularity in Vienna. How the 17-year-old girl who characterized herself with words - beautiful God-fearing virgin - charmed twice older flamboyant artist?
The answers to this question gave Klimt himself in a letter written after the end of the affair to the stepfather of Alma: "Alma is beautiful, intelligent, witty, has everything a man could wish for from a woman ... whenever she appears in the world men she becomes mistress of the situation ... Do you not understand that there are times when a man loses his head ... "

The romance was discovered by Alma's mother who found in her daughter's diary details of the first kiss. She demanded from Klimt to end the affair.

Klimt  still secretly met with Alma, he even planned her abduction for which Alma eagerly agreed. But she did not agree for a much smaller adventure - to visit the artist's studio. Alma valued her virginity above all else. Romance was finally ended by Alma's stepfather, Carl Moll, who forbade Klimt access to his studio This could be a hindrance in further career and Klimt complied writing the letter quoted above.

Klimt's successor was a music teacher, a young composer Alexander von Zemlinsky.

February 6, 1900 roku Alma wrote in her diary:

"Evening with Schnitzers, I went there with great reluctance and it was a wonderful evening. Nearly the whole evening I spoke with Alexander von Zemlinskym, the young composer. He is terribly ugly, no chin at all. But for me it was fascinating."

Sunday March 4, 1900:

"At the table Zemlinsky asked:

- And what do you think of Wagner?

- The greatest genius who ever lived - I replied.

- And which of his works you appreciate the most?

- Tristan!

My answer pleased him so that there was a total transformation. Suddenly he became quite handsome. We understood each other. It was not a wasted evening - it was a taste of life ".

Zemlinsky settled for good in the life of Alma as a music teacher and Max Burckhard still continued to be her mentor..
Monday, November 26, 1900
"Evening with Burckhard. The oysters, lobster, pig, artichokes, duck, chocolate cream, ice cream, cheese, black coffee, liqueurs, pineapple begining. Amazing gluttony. After a long abstinence drank a lot, but not too much."
Monday, December 10, 1900:
"Dear, dear B ... how I like him. He said he would give anything to be able to travel with me. I wanted to tell him - I would give anything to live with you. Such a handsome, noble, manly, free. At night I dreamed that we kissed. I woke up in a state of bliss. Day - horrible, gray, cold day. What a terrible awakening. "
Thursday, December 13, 1900
"The whole evening I was working alone. My only desire is to achieve something in art ... Strange, when I received a letter from B. I blushed from head to toe. The excitement grew with reading. I would love to give him my body. Just once. Even if it was supposed to be just a kiss ... When it comes to Burckhard it is all I can give and nothing will change ... A kiss is the noblest, purest way to say - I'm yours. Everything that follows is a goal then, is directed hidden motive. There is nothing so selfless as pure kiss ".

And in practice ...
"... he pulled me in. I resisted, but he insisted. Closer, closer, and finally kissed me - it was the worst - his tongue touched my mouth. That ended any illusions. How I waited for this moment and how disgusting is proved . I will never forget this disappointment. The Kiss of Klimt and kiss of Burckhard. Heaven and Hell."
Still ...
"... I would like to know if I actually like Burckhard or not. My feelings for him are not affected."

In this mood Alma received a marriage proposal from a wealthy architect Felix Muhr.
Alma's diary does not contain too much information about the contacts with Zemlinsky, but that they were very intense. Alma led provocative conversation and exchanged passionate letters with him. He promised eternal love, but she stated categorically that she does not intend to marry. Immediately afterwards she said that she wanted to have his baby. Zemlinsky replied angrily: "Your boundless vanity, the pursuit of pleasure. If you love me like you say, give me proof - an hour of happiness."
This did not happen. Alma attached symbolic value to her virginity.
Wednesday November 9, 1901
"If I do not give up completely I suffer torture. If you give - the consequences will be terrible ... I will always remember the feel of his hands deep into my innermost recesses. Perfect bliss there ... I would like to kneel before him, press my lips to his naked body, kiss everything, everything! Amen. "

Two days before this entry Gustav Mahler appeared on the horizon.
22 years older than Alma he was a prominent figure in the cultural life of Vienna. At that time, he was the director of the court opera, Hofoper. Famous, loved and hated at the same time - he was someone to impress ambitious Alma. Lower than her, nervous, sometimes violent and unpredictable. His rages were famous. He kept the orchestra with an iron fist, his demands of perfection and precision have been remarkable. On the other hand, the beginnings of his career as a composer were very difficult. His first symphony was ridiculed by the public.

On November 7th 1901 the first meeting happened. Alma was sitting between her two suitors, Klimt and Burckhard and she shone in this company. Mahler asked if he could join. After a while a quarrel broke out between them.
After this meeting, Mahler tried to get some information about Alma and she wrote in her diary: "I must admit that I enjoyed immensely. Of course he is terribly nervous. He paced around the room like a wild animal. He is pure oxygen, When you get close to him you can burn ".
Soon there was a meeting in Alma's parents' house. At the sight of Friedrich Nietzsche books Mahler said that they should be burned. It was not long when Mahler stated in his letter: "... to marry a man like me, is not a simple matter. I am completely free and I have to stay that way. I can not worry about any material things. I could lose my job from day to day."

Relation developed very quickly.
Friday December 2, 1901
"Mahler afternoon. He said he loves me. We kissed ... his caresses are sensitive and acceptable. If only I knew - he - or the other! (...) I have gradually removed Alex from my thoughts. Sometimes I say - my beloved - and something in me responds - Alex. Do I love Mahler as he deserves? Do I love him at all? Sometimes I think not. So many things annoy me:
- The smell,
- The way he sings,
- His pronunciation - swallows r.
Do I love opera director, a great conductor - or a man? His music leaves me cold, so terribly cold. Simply put - I do not believe in him as a composer (..). The question is nagging me whether Mahler will inspire me to compose, and will support my artistic efforts?
Later that same afternoon Muhr. He asked how things are between us. I had no choice, and I told him the truth. He stood before me, pale and trembling: Fraulein - if you reject me I'll kill myself. I felt so sorry for ".

Felix Muhr, the unsuccesful suitor, decided to share with Alma important discovery:
"He told me that he knew from the doctor that Gustav is suffering from an incurable disease".
An incurable disease? What? Taking into account the times, customs and environment it might have been tuberculosis or syphilis. But in those days it was not proper to ask for details.
Her reaction:
"Oh my God, I will cherish him like a kid. I can not become the cause of his downfall. I will stop my longings and passions - I want to heal, to cure him with my strength and youth."

But two weeks later ...
Thursday, December 19, 1901
"Yesterday I flirted with Louis Adler furiously. He's so damned handsome. Muhr watching us. Oh, if he was so handsome.
Evening: Pollack. We talked a lot about Gustav. I blurted out everything that swirls in my chest ... if ever it comes to marriage I put this condition - the matter of art. Gustav has my art for nothing and his art for everything. And I've got nothing for his art ... I must have freedom - total freedom ".

Mahler in his letter put it straight:
"You have only one task - to make me happy. Do you understand Alma what I mean? Roles will be clearly determined. The role of composer falls to me, your role - be a loving companion and partner. Does this please you? I know I demand much, very much, but I'm allowed to do that because I know what I can give in return. "

Three days of dilemma and finally total capitulation:
"I want to have a child with him ... if he have the strength for it, he has hope so ... In the morning, Carl (Moll - stepfather) came to me for a serious conversation. He explained all eventualities. I know everything. He is seriously ill ... I'll take care of him. My love for him is quite disarming. What a shame that he can not pronounce R. In addition, he confessed that he would prefer me to have a name Maria. Because of the strong R in the middle . How strange ".

Monday, December 23, 1901
"I'm waiting - waiting - for Gustav and Justi (Justine - Gustav sister) This is torture, an eternity. Then they came and we got engaged in the presence of Carl and mother. From now on, only he will have a place in my the heart, the only one. I'll never throw a look behind at any young handsome man. As far as my relationship with AZ (Alex Zemlinsky) was a wild and carnal, this one is imbued with Mahler's holiest feeling ".

To be continued.

Alma Mahler - Introduction

Alma Mahler caught my eye in the Pyrenees during the illegal crossing of the French-Spanish border. Not so much she as her luggage - a dozen suitcases!

Naturally, a woman! - I thought.

And it was so ...

From 1929, Alma was married to Franz Werfel, a popular German writer.
In 1938, after the Anschluss of Austria, Werfel, who was Jewish, fled with his wife to France. Anticipating the worst they applied for a visa to the USA. Received it with ease thanks to the intercession of Thomas Mann, who enjoyed great sympathy and trust of Eleanor Roosevelt and helped to arrange visas for hundreds of German intellectuals and artists.
Anticipating the best they were very slow to leave for the United States until 1940 when France was invaded by Germany. Then it was too late. They could not get out of France legally, because they did not have an exit visa, and application of such a visa would end with being handed to Germans.
They were hiding in Lourdes, close to the Spanish border, where Franz Werfel got familiarized with story of Bernadette Soubirous - a girl, to whom the Blessed Virgin appeared. Then he made a vow that if he can successfully get out of France, he will write a book about this divine revelation.

After a few weeks Werfel intermediaries established contact with an associate of the American consulate in Marseille, journalist Varian Fry, who was just organizing the transfer to Spain of the family of Thomas Mann - son Golo, brother Henry and his wife Nelly. Werfels joined them. Arrived by train from Marseille to Cerbere station just before the Spanish border. Border station Cerbere - how appropriate is the name!

Five refugees went with a guide on foot, and Varian Fry travelled by train to Spain legally.

Hiking through the mountains was not easy. They had to climb to a height of 2000 m, which with obesity Franz Werfel and the poor condition of Heinrich Mann was no mean task.
Varian Fry had all reasons to be afraid of customs inspection - 17 suitcases. 12 suitcases belonged to Alma. She claimed that the suitcases contained things absolutely necessary - manuscripts scores by Gustav Mahler, Bruckner symphonies manuscripts, works of her husband and a bit of her wardrobe. Wicked people claim that all sketches, musical scores and manuscripts occupied only one suitcase.

They met in Portbou - the first station on Spanish side. Varian Fry returned to Marseilles, and they went on by train to Madrid and Lufthansa plane to Lisbon. Escape from the Germans on Lufthansa plane? Why not, in those days it was possible to travel incognito. After one month stay in Lisbon they sailed to New York. They were welcomed by Klaus Mann, son of Thomas, who in a letter to his father mentioned that all refugees were in good shape, but Alma looked like a dethroned queen.

Franz Werfel fulfilled his vow - the book Song of Bernadette - CLICK - and the film ensured him prosperity for the rest of his life.

Note: Varian Fry helped to smuggle some 2,200 refugees from Germany - CLICK.

My next encounter with Alma was in an unexpected place - the fictional Tel Kedar settlement in the Negev desert ...
"Between the news they broadcast a  program about the life and loves of Alma Mahler. Moderator said that the world of men has not been able to understand her and see her for someone else, and then told who really Alma Mahler was. I turned her off in mid-sentence to confirm that the world of men has not changed for the better." - Amos Oz - Do not say night.

Fact, they did not change. Tom Lehrer's song - And the loveliest girl in Vienna was Alma - is a good proof...

Gustav, Walter and Franz - were husbands of Alma - Gustav Mahler, Walter Gropius and Franz Werfel. And in between, sometimes in parallel,  life of Alma was filled with contacts with many famous artists.

I'm not trying to understand Alma Mahler. I even do not want to understand her. This allows me to contemplate her and her surroundings sometimes with admiration, sometimes with horror, but always with mindless fascination.

To be continued.

Bibliography:

Evelyn Juers - House of Exile - CLICK - a wonderful book - a treasure trove of information about artists and intellectuals fled from Nazi Germany.

Françoise Giroud - The art of being loved - CLICK.