Perhaps Andersen's best-known fairy tales are that of the little mermaid falling in love with a prince. The sad story inspired Alexander von Zemlinksy to create a compelling orchestral work in three parts. The symphonic poem was premiered in 1905 during a concert in which Schönberg's Pelleas und Melisande (Zemlinski's brother-in-law) also played. After the concert, Zemlinsky withdrew the work. The
… first part ended up with Marie Pappenheim (the socialist and doctor who also invented the macabre story for Schönberg's Erwartung). Zemlinsky had the remaining two volumes with him when he fled to the US in 1938. It was not until the 1980s that scientists realized that the three parts belong together. That is why the work did not experience its second performance until 1984. (HJ)more
