The Rudolf Steiner Archive

214

To Marie Steiner on a eurythmy trip
Tuesday, October 21, 1924

Goetheanum, October 21, 1924

M. l. M. Now you will soon be in Berlin; I would be sorry not to meet you there; but one must take things as they come. On the whole, I can say that I am better. But that is only due to good, uninterrupted treatment, not just care.

There is now a youth conference in Berlin after all. I am told that Dr. Röschl is unsure whether she should go there, especially since she has also been ill recently and does not yet feel completely healthy. Also Lehrs ³⁶ is unsure whether he should go to Berlin or not. It is now really impossible for me to deal with the matter; I must not deal with people at this time. Just this, if it is just a little too much, has an effect on my gastric system, and I am set back again as a result. So I cannot help but keep away from me all things that do not need to be done immediately. Believe me, m. Believe me, M. M., I feel this painfully enough; but I cannot get any further in my recovery if I do not act this way now. So I could do nothing but let the young people say that they had to do what their hearts told them to do; I could only intervene again when I had the strength to do so. But now the youth conference is going to take place. I am now also concerned about the extent and possible strain on your strength and wonder what will become of these forces?

But now it would be good if the young people in Berlin would rely entirely on you; both as a personality and as a member of the Executive Council at the Goetheanum. Because even if these young people have their special company, they should not cut themselves off factually. There are so many good impulses and spiritual receptivity in our youth that cutting them off would be disastrous. And cutting them off can only be avoided if the young people can find a connection to the few older people in whom they still have confidence. And it is to be hoped that they will work closely with you in Berlin.

I am very fond of Dr. Röschl; but she is not a person who has enough sense of reality to do the right thing everywhere within the youth movement; she fantasizes a lot about things that should be organized out of reality. Dr. Lehrs is actually the best force in the youth movement. And when he arrives in Berlin, he will listen to you in every matter where he has the opportunity to do so.

But because of this youth conference, it would be good if Dr. Wachsmuth or Vreede realized that their place would be in Berlin now, even though I cannot be there. It's just strange that Wachsmuth and Vreede don't think of it themselves. Now they have to be made aware of it. It is really not good if the Goetheanum board only appears where I am. I know that these “board members” can also be a burden to you when they are in Berlin; but you can keep them away when the matter becomes too much. But the main thing in all decisions regarding the youth conference should be up to you. I only hope that if Wachsmuth and Vreede go to Berlin, they will not do anything that is very much against what you want. But I am just considering the matter here in my bed and think that it should be the case that the two of them go to the youth conference. I don't know what else is intended.

The opponents of the Goetheanum building have again made themselves felt in the newspapers here. Now that the Solothurn government has approved the building in principle, the opponents are resorting to martyrdom. They are publishing a resolution in which they say that after the mistake of the Solothurn government, they, the friends of the Swiss Heritage Society, have no choice but to raise their ineffective voices against the defacement of one of the most historically valuable places in Switzerland. I was very pleased to see the success continue in other cities as well. I hope it will continue. I can only say that my thoughts are with you as you carry out your work. I am so glad that you have the strength to do so.

And now, just for today, my warmest thoughts, for I have already had the first rather tiring treatment.

With my warmest regards,

Greetings to everyone.

In the last few days, I have also had to include Dr. Wachsmuth among those I let in; there is no other way. But he also has to get used to leaving when I make it clear to him that I can't go on.

Dr. Rudolf Steiner
Goetheanum, Dornach near Basel
Switzerland, Canton Solothurn

• 36. Ernst Lehrs (1894-1979), scientist, member since 1921, teacher at the Free Waldorf School in Stuttgart and from 1923 member of the committee of the Free Anthroposophical Society confirmed by Rudolf Steiner after the Christmas Conference and thus an official of the General Anthroposophical Society.

215

To Marie Steiner in Berlin, approximately
Wednesday, October 22, 1924

M.l.M. Yes, I wrote about the youth conference – and not about the other things going on for the Society in Berlin. But I assume that you are fully involved in these matters and that your leadership will continue as it did when you were last in Berlin. It goes without saying that I will be very happy about everything you achieve there – I will send you my warmest thoughts and best regards to all your friends.

With warmest regards, Rudolf

216

To Marie Steiner in Berlin
Thursday, October 23, 1924

Goetheanum, October 23, 1924

M. l. M. I have now added everything to the Oberon-Titania scenes

for which I have managed to find forms. It seems to come together all the way to Titania: “[...] to the bower”. Only “bean blossom, mustard seeds” does not work, it has to be left out. But what follows on p. 46: with the best will in the world, I cannot find a form; I think that could only spoil the effect.

So I believe that you now have everything you can have. I think you will get the matter faster if I give this letter to Dr. Wachsmuth, who is traveling to Berlin tonight.

There is nothing new to report about me.

Edmund Ernst, a Reformed pastor ³⁷ from eastern Switzerland has written an excellent book: Reformation oder Anthroposophie? There will be a review of it in the next issue of the “Goetheanum” ³⁸ You will find aphorisms by me about it.

I hope that the “Goetheanum” is always sent to you; the order is of course given; but I don't know if all orders are carried out. In any case, I will ask Wachsmuth to take the last few weeks' numbers for you, since your departure.

My warmest thoughts are with you as you work; I was very happy to receive your letter from Lübeck and the news that things went well in Hamburg for the second time.

Kindest regards, Rudolf

Dr. Rudolf Steiner
Goetheanum, Dornach near Basel
Switzerland, Canton Solothurn.

• 37. Edmund Ernst (1893-1953), a Reformed pastor in Salez/Eastern Switzerland, was actively involved in the ideas of social threefolding from 1919-1921 and later became a priest of the Christian Community in Zurich.
• 38. No. 64 of October 26: “Undemanding aphoristic remarks about the book ”Reformation or Anthroposo phie®, Bern 1924” (in GA 36).

217

To Marie Steiner
Thursday, October 23, 1924, different version

Goetheanum, Oct. 23, 1924

M.l.M. I think I have now done everything I wanted as well as possible. You will find everything you need in the new pages I am sending.

I think you will receive the matter more quickly if I give it to Dr. Wachsmuth, who is leaving for Berlin tonight.

There is nothing new to report from me. Things are continuing in this way.

A Reformed pastor from eastern Switzerland, Edmund Ernst, has written an excellent book: 'Reformation or Anthroposophy'. I have written 'unpretentious aphorisms' for the next 'Goetheanum' about this book, which is very valuable for the movement.

I hope that you receive the “Goetheanum” issues regularly. In any case, the order has been placed; hopefully only all orders will be fulfilled. I will once again ask Dr. Wachsmuth to take all issues that have appeared since your departure with you.

I was very pleased to receive a letter from Lübeck this morning and deeply gratified to hear that you had a good time in Hamburg for the second time.

I follow your work with warm thoughts and send you these warmest thoughts,

Dr. Rudolf Steiner
Goetheanum, Dornach near Basel
Switzerland, Canton Solothurn.

218

To Marie Steiner in Berlin
Sunday, October 26, 1924

Goetheanum, October 26, 1924

M. l. M. So now your work in Berlin has begun. It really upsets me not to be there. Alone, if I am making some daily progress, then it is slow progress. And while I should have made the journey to Berlin and lectured in the large halls there, I am confined to moving between bed, “comfortable chair” and bathroom. That is what all my travels are like now; and I have to avoid anything that might “destroy”. And I see how easily I am thrown back, especially with regard to the ailments of the digestive system, when something disturbing comes along. But as you can see, I am doing reasonably well, even if not exactly as one would like with regard to the demands of work. So you have no reason for any concern, my dear mouse.

As you know, I have been very estranged from my physical body since January 1923. That is why the increasing care has become necessary. Now that this care and treatment is being done systematically, it will certainly help.

I hope that everything goes well in Berlin. After all that the Anthroposophists there, who are sincerely striving for good, have experienced, it is of course too much that now, on top of everything, I have not turned up. When I consider this context and see the loving eyes of our good Münch, ready to make sacrifices, and the anxious eyes of Räther, who is so willing to do anything for everything anthroposophical, it makes me feel quite painful to have to sit here in my dressing gown on the 'comfortable chair' and can only turn my thoughts to the places where anthroposophical work is being done. But I know with deep satisfaction that you are fully active and am so happy, so very happy about it. However, one cannot have very definite ideas about what the 'youth' in Berlin actually want to achieve. I will only see with my own eyes what is unclear there when you are able to talk to me about it.

My warmest thoughts always, Rudolf

Dr. Rudolf Steiner
oetheanum, Dornach near Basel
Switzerland, Canton Solothurn.

219

To Marie Steiner in Berlin
Friday, October 31, 1924

Goetheanum, October 31, 1924

M. l. M. You are probably in the middle of hard work on this. I am thinking of this activity, because otherwise I cannot do anything now, since, as I wrote to you, I am only “traveling” between bed, “comfortable” chair and bathroom. But my condition has improved considerably, even if everything is going slowly. You really have to have a lot of patience.

It was so nice when the Berlin telegram arrived reporting the good progress of the performance. Since then, however, I have heard nothing

from the aftermath of this performance. For example, nothing at all about whether those who, in printed judgment, serve up “the day” on everything, even what they have no idea about, have allowed themselves to be heard or not.

The fact that the youth has done all sorts of things has been reported here in dark messages. But I will wait to hear from you about it.

Steffen is very pleased that I have now written an essay about his “Viergetier” in the “Goetheanum”. The drama is indeed extraordinarily significant. I hope that you receive the “Goetheanum” properly.

In recent days, everyone has been demanding to know something about the reorganization of the Goetheanum; even to receive pictures. I have done as much as possible for this matter, given my reduced capacity for work. Everything that I do that comes entirely from me, such as writing this or that, is possible; but it is not easy to meet demands that come from outside. I still have to be very careful there. But I am too.

I hope that everything went well with Meyer and that he will get in touch when he needs money for petrol etc.

Otherwise, my warmest thoughts and greetings, Rudolf

Dr. Rudolf Steiner
Goetheanum, Dornach near Basel
Switzerland, Canton Solothurn

220

To Rudolf Steiner in Dornach
Friday, October 24, 1924, from Berlin

Friday evening, October 24, 1924

Dear E., thank you very much for your long letter, which I hope did not take too much effort on your part, and for all your contributions. Now we have everything we need for the Johannisnachtstraum, even more, because we won't have enough time for the scenes with Zettel ³⁹. We will save that for when we work with the actors. Incidentally, not much is missing now to complete the ghost scenes. And I thought that since you now know what you want yourself, you might like me to send you all the scenes in which something is still missing. I am attaching them here. I have indicated the pages and marked the places where something still needs to be done. What is left mostly refers to the adventures of the Athenians. I have also left that out in the speeches that we are now presenting. But that would be necessary if we were to work together with the actors. So I am sending them to you in any case for you to review.

Now our first matinee is behind us. It went extremely well, and there was no sign of any negative sentiment – only applause. What the press will say could be different. They say there was a scathing article in the Berliner Tageblatt on Friday. In any case, it had no effect on the matinee; the Lessing Theater was sold out and the audience was completely behind it.

In general, the press treated us well this time. Sometimes reluctantly, as in the Hamburger Nachrichten, but precisely because of that, it is said, it was impressive. Only I was occasionally scolded, or found poems useless. My voice obeyed me quite well on this trip. Only in the members' performance in Stuttgart was I a little embarrassed, and in the second performance in Hamburg I felt the cold from Lübeck a little. (Not yet in Lübeck itself.) The Kammerspiel Theater in Hamburg is also acoustically unfavorable; the Thalia Theater is very good. The Lessing Theater here is also acoustically favorable.

However, I now have a somewhat daunting task with the Johannisnacht scenes; after all, I have a few clumsy people for the choir and little time. Every day, I have rehearsals in addition to the performance, rehearsed the elf scenes, and that was a great effort. (We were allowed to stay at the Lessing Theater quite extensively.) Now this morning, before the matinee, I woke up with a severe migraine and foaming at the mouth. But since that was already happening at 5 a.m., I was able to get myself together until 11:30, and nobody noticed anything. But talking to people is also what unsettles me, I hardly have the strength for it anymore. So unfortunately I couldn't fulfill your wish to participate actively in the conference. Yesterday I had too much to do with the two rehearsals, and today I have to make a considerable effort to keep myself going. Tomorrow I have to rehearse a lot: the Michaeli program for Tuesday and Wednesday, and the new one.

3rd Nov.

Dear E., it's terrible: I wanted to write you a long, detailed letter and not just ask for forms, so I didn't send this and the texts already put in an envelope. Every time I sat down to write, I was called away, and I got so caught up in the whirlwind that I no longer had control over myself. I was unable to attend any lectures. But I experienced all too much that was human and social. So I must speak of gratitude and good fortune that the performance went well yesterday. It was received with enthusiasm. I firmly believe that your thoughts helped us. It was a daring undertaking. — I also wanted to collect reviews for you and couldn't manage it. Tomorrow morning we'll continue our journey and today there is still so much to be done. So I have to close so that this letter can be sent. I couldn't write another one anyway. Only more intensely and lovingly I want to think of you. It gave me courage when I received another letter from you yesterday before the performance, and I want to trust that you are feeling better. We have performances in Stuttgart on November 9 and 11. —- I received the first “Goetheanum” that came in the mail yesterday.

Warmest Marie

• 39. Was later performed at the Goetheanum, but not under Marie Steiner's direction.

221

Telegram from Dornachbrugg to Marie Steiner in Kassel
Postscript: recorded on 5/11 1924

Kind thoughts for further activity, here satisfying under the circumstances, sincerely Rudolf Steiner

222

To Rudolf Steiner in Dornach
Saturday, November 8, 1924

Nov. 8, 1924, Stuttgart

Dear E., Now we have arrived at our last stage, here in Stuttgart. Schuurmans have already gone to Dornach because of their move, and Stuten is taking care of the work with the musicians here. In Kassel we had an overcrowded hall (it holds 1000 people). Our ushers counted 50 people who were turned away. This astonished my dentist, for example, who said that the greatest artists now had empty halls. I also believe that if we had continued to travel as we did then, we would have become the current sensation or attraction. By the time of the next journey, we might have been forgotten again.

The journey from Kassel here was wonderful again. You have no idea what interesting places there are in Germany if you don't travel by car. We only have a lunch break, usually in a place where there is a beautiful cathedral. The other day it was Magdeburg. This time Fulda. It is a focal point of the highest interest - in terms of cultural history. I don't understand how people can come from there and never say anything about it. It is as if all the paths of German development lead back there. And geographically, it feels like the heart too. But now Catholicism is tightening its net there the strongest. I was interested in copying out the text of the indulgence offers at the grave of St. Boniface, which is posted there.

This was the longest trip Meyer had made. He learned as much on this journey as eurythmists do on their travels. He has become very safe and skillful. Today I have not seen him. What about him and the car now? Can I find out from you how we should all make our way home?

I wanted to stay here until the 14th or 15th to sort out various things at the Eurythmy School. I am almost afraid to come back to Dornach and perhaps tire you out. I think I have served you best through my work outside the School.

Now I have to go to rehearsal – we are staging the Oberon scenes with some choristers from here.

All my warmest regards. Hopefully you are already spending more time in an armchair than in bed. Frieda Noll ⁴⁰ She was lovely and caring and sweet to us.

Goodbye Marie

• 40. Frieda Noll (died 1963), involved in the re-establishment of the Kassel branch in January 1907, sister of Dr. Ludwig Noll.

223

To Marie Steiner in Stuttgart
Sunday, November 9, 1924

Goetheanum, November 9, 1924

M. l. M. I was very pleased to receive the telegram from Eisenberg,⁴¹ This indicates that Kassel was also a success. And I am grateful for your letters, which give me a picture of how you have endured the hard work.

I would like to send you these few lines to Stuttgart as a greeting of thoughts. You probably have your first performance there today. You can imagine that I am not at all satisfied with the very slow progress of my recovery. The matter has been in preparation for so long and will only start to take shape over a similarly long period of time. I thought I would be further along when you returned.

Among the books that I have now looked at – but in this case really only looked at – is “The Ecstatic Theater” by Emmel, with the letter from Dumont. The thing is interesting. But the whole book is just one scream, or at most two screams. One scream about the corruption of the present stage and another that it must become different. But shouting misery to the world and appealing to an instinctive ecstasy will not change anything. A bridge must be created to the understanding of the divine-cosmic in language, gesture and stage design, as it is striven for in my dramatic course. Yes, there is much to be done and it is necessary to be healthy for it.

The doctors were very happy to receive your greetings and send their warmest regards.

My very warmest thoughts, Rudolf

Dr. Rudolf Steiner
Goetheanum, Dornach near Basel
Switzerland, Canton Solothurn.

• 41. Dr. med. Otto Eisenberg (1886-1943), a general practitioner in Kassel, a homoeopath, member since November 1906, and brother-in-law of Dr. Ludwig Noll, with whom he prepared some remedies according to Rudolf Steiner. 41