Letter
Royal Manchester College Of Music (RMCM)
1923

Autograph letter signed from Ivor Bernhoff, violinist, to Alberto Bachmann (violinist and pupil of RMCM Principal Adolph Brodsky) This letter was enclosed with a letter to Brodsky [AB/308L]. Bernhoff is overcome with gratitude at receiving a gift of money which has enabled him to procure meat, eggs, butter and milk which he has not tasted for months. [?Thomas Alexandrovich de] Hartmann's letter has brought hope to Bernhoff and restored his faith in humanity. When he recalls the years in Leipzig chez le bon Professeur Brodsky and others, he could weep. Bernhoff works night and day. He can no longer play the violin as he has almost lost his hearing through lack of food during the war. He describes how inflation is galloping. His violin, library and possessions are worth millions and millions of marks: everything is rising in value daily. Bachmann has asked how he can help and Bernhoff suggests that he needs 5 francs daily to live. In return for this Bachmann will become Bernhoff's heir. The letter is in French and is dated 30 Aug 1923.
Reference number: AB/322
This was digitised as part of the HLF funded project "Revealing and Reinterpreting 'Making Music in Manchester during WW1'"