Eric Schaal: Portrait photograph of Bruno Walter (1939)
Eric Schaal: Portrait photograph of Bruno Walter (1939)
In March and April of 1939, conductor Bruno Walter was in the United States trying to break into the concert scene as a guest conductor in New York and Washington. Walter, his wife Elsa and his older daughter Lotte, who had come with him, were horrified at the news reports coming out of Europe. On March 15, German troops marched into Prague. The family feared that their younger daughter Gretel, who had stayed behind in Europe, would be unable to reach safety before the outbreak of war. The Walter family made efforts to get her a visa while they were in the United States. Although Gretel was issued a visa, the Walters returned to Europe shortly thereafter.
The photographer Eric Schaal took these photos of Bruno Walter during concert rehearsals. On the day of his departure, Walter sent a signed print to the photographer: "To Mr. Eric Schaal, with best regards, Bruno Walter, New York, April 15, 1939".
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