Ferras, Christian. (1933–1982)
Signed Program
Rare signed program of a concert of the Association Philharmonique of Lyon, France, April 27, 1949, signed by the French violinist who played Ravel's Tzigane and the Beethoven Concerto, and who was just 16 years old. Signature to head of fol. 1 verso, intersecting with the halftone photograph of him playing his instrument. Unpaginated bifolium (4 pp). 10.5 x 8.25 inches (27 x 21 cm). Some creases; small tear to outer edge; horizontal fold; else in fine condition.Ferras began his career as a young prodigy in the mid 1940's, winning several international competitions, and premiered works by Honegger, Pascal and Semenoff. His collaboration with Pierre Barbizet, which began in 1948 and continued until his death, became one of the most famous violin-piano partnerships of the twentieth century. He left many superb recordings, and it was a great loss to the music world when he committed suicide in 1982 after a long struggle with depression.
"Ferras studied at the Nice Conservatoire (with Bistesi) and the Paris Conservatoire (with Calvet), making his début in Paris at the age of 13 and later working with Enescu. In 1948 he won the Scheveningen International Competition and also the Prix Long-Thibaud. He quickly established an international reputation and throughout the 1950s and 60s made numerous tours of Europe and the USA, being particularly well received in eastern Europe. Although his reputation was originally based on outstanding interpretations of the classical violin concertos, especially those of Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky, he was also a fine ambassador for French music, and in 1964 made a commanding recording of Berg's Concerto. That work was especially suited to his playing, which combined tonal beauty with intensity of feeling and power." Leslie East in Grove Music Online (22423)
Signed Document/Item Classical Music