Mahler and Busoni, Vienna 1899

 Mahler conducted concerts with Busoni as soilist in Vienna in 1899 and 1900. In the first of these concerts Busoni was to play a Beethoven piano concerto. Arriving from Berlin on the sleeper, Busoni was met at the station in Vienna with an urgent demand to go to see Mahler at the Hofoper as soon as possible. Unshaved and no doubt more dishevelled than he would have wished, Busoni hastened to the opera house and was asked to wait in the ante-room to Mahler's office. Loud voices were audible from there while Busoni waited. After quite some time the door burst open and Mahler put his head round. 'Ah, Busoni, in the last movement - not too fast!' and disappeared again.

Mahler conducted the world premiere of Busoni's 'Berceuse Elegiaque' in his very last concert which took place in New York with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra on February 21st, 1011 at Carnegie Hall. Busoni and Toscanini shared a box on that occasion. Mahler cancelled his remaining concerts in New Your and set sail for the last time to Europe on the SS Amerika on April 8th, 1911. Busoni was also on board. Mahler was never to appear before the public again. He died in Vienna on the 18th of May 1911.

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