Object #58

Arnold Schönberg
After Mathilde’s death
1923

Arnold Schönberg Center, Wien

“November 1923 – 10 a.m. [...] I suddenly heard my wife’s voice calling ‘Papa, Papa …’ 3 or 4 times (perhaps more). [...] I would like to take this opportunity to also mention the feeling that I had [...]: I was so pleasantly animated. Perhaps those in the beyond are able to have an immediate effect on our senses and nerves, just like bodies do when they are present. I would like to say that I felt vaguely as though something were flowing through me. It was something entirely indistinguishable, though. So I am hardly able to recall it now. Perhaps they are able to make themselves noticeable as they fly past (with some kind of planet). Or perhaps it is just that they are thinking of us? Hopefully it is that, at least!”