Karl J. Davydov, Stammbuchblatt an Mathilde Wegeler, Koblenz, 9. Februar 1888, Autograph

Karl J. Davydov (1838-1889), a cellist, conductor and composer from Saint Petersburg, dedicated four measures of a cello concert in A Minor to Mathilde (1847-1916), the sister of Julius August Wegeler. The theme, written in tenor clef on hand-drawn lines, was probably taken from Davydov's second cello concert (op. 14, composed in 1863). Davydov stayed in Koblenz because he participated in these two concerts: the fifth subscription concert of the Koblenz Musik-Institut on February 3rd, 1888 (he interpreted two of his own compositions, namely a cello concert and "Springquell") as well as a chamber music soirée on February 8th, 1888 (newspaper "Koblenzer Volkszeitung" no. 30 and 31 from February 7th and 8th). (F.G.)