Friedrich Nietzsche — Musikalische Werke: Lieder für eine Singstimme
Leipzig: Fr. Kistner & C.F.W. Siegel, 1924. First edition, limited issue.

Scarce limited edition of Nietzsche’s musical compositions, edited by Georg Göhler and issued under the auspices of the Nietzsche-Archiv in Weimar. The archive, managed by Nietzsche’s sister Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, published this volume as part of an effort to canonize Nietzsche’s complete intellectual and creative output. Göhler, a respected conductor and composer associated with late-Romantic repertoire, prepared the musical edition.

This publication includes sixteen songs for voice and piano set to texts by Rückert, Chamisso, Petöfi, Byron, Lou Andreas-Salomé, and Nietzsche himself.

Printed in a limited edition of 200 copies, with copies 51–200 issued on fine handmade rag paper. Typography and artistic design by Walter Tiemann, one of the leading figures in early 20th-century German book arts. Printed by C. G. Röder, Leipzig. A handsome example of German fine press production.

Nietzsche’s musical compositions were often criticized by contemporaries—Hans von Bülow famously described them as “an insult to the world of music”—making this formal and carefully produced publication of his scores particularly interesting to collectors and historians.

Large-format folio in red cloth with gilt publisher’s device. Contemporary ownership inscription to front blank ("Berlin-Friedenau") with period price notation. Light foxing typical of handmade paper; mild sunning to cloth. A well-preserved and attractive example.

Approx. 12.5x 9.5 inches.
Large-format music folio.