Thomas Mann an John L. Stewart, Department of English, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Ist sehr interessiert an St.’s Brief über die ›Buddenbrooks‹ und über dessen Spekulationen über Hannos Improvisationen am Klavier an seinem Sterbetag. »The improvisation was intended as a free phantasy without thought of sonata form. If it did in the opinion of musicians appear to have a sonata form, then it is a pure coincidence for which I cannot claim deliberate intention.«