[Dec. 1857.] [The following is a memorandum by Frau Wesendonck herself, found in company of the said two additional closes to " Schmerzen," the last whereof is the same as that now in use. The difference between the \st and 2nd versions of " Traume " consists in addition of the sixteen introductory bars, the first version having commenced with our bar 17. — TV.] On the $oth of November 1857 Richard Wagner wrote the music to the song : " In der Kindheit fruhen Tagen " [= " Der Engel "]. December 4, 1857, the first sketch for: "Sag*, welch' wunderbare Traume?" December 5, 1857, the second version ^"Traume." December 17, 1857, " Schmerzen " ; with a second, somewhat lengthened close. This was soon followed by a third close, beneath which stood the words: " It must become finer and finer ! " After a beautiful, refreshing night, my first waking thought was this amended postlude : we'll see whether it pleases Frau Calderon, if I let it sound up to her to-day." — * ZURICH LETTERS' 1 7 February 22, 1858, " Sausendes, brausendes Rad der Zeit"[="Stehe still"]. May 1, 1858, "Im Treibhause."— r All five songs subsequently came out at Schotts Sons, Mainz [1862], by the masters own instructions. — Before their publication, " Traume " and " im Treibhause " were named by himself " Studien zu Tristan und Isolde."
Richard Wagner
Source: Richard Wagner to Mathilde Wesendonck, translated by Ellis, No. 35