An important, lengthy, and very touching autograph letter from the great violinist and composer to his new wife Louise. Dated Mannheim, November 13, 1886, less than two months after their wedding. 16 pp. on 4 bifolia, 12mo. In the long and intimate love letter, Ysaÿe responds with joy to the news that his wife is pregnant with their first child: "A son! A child! From you! From you, my darling wife! Nothing in the world could be to me such a source of joy! Nothing... nothing." Offering a "fervent prayer" that their children will have "your dear sweet eyes, so divinely good, your little mouth, alas, so far from my kisses!, your character, so free of pride, your nature, which seems to be made of the sublime essence of the soul of an angel," he goes on to reflect on his plans for their children's upbringing: "you see, my adored angel, we mustn't love them too much, we must be strict with them to the right degree, one must mold the souls of children, form them and not leave the care of their education to their nature..." He promises on his return to help her with the prescribed enemas: "You will see on my return that I can play that instrument very well, especially when it is for my little mother, my big girl, my child who is my wife..." and reports that on her urging he has seen a doctor about a case of eczema on his ear. Read More...
2 vol., 4to, deckled edges, publisher's gray paper boards with title impressed in gilt, in publisher's gray slipcase. 272-[2], [4]-275/550 pp. In fine condition, with a few slightly unevenly bound pages in vol. I between p. 206 - 222. First edition of this fine two-volume publication containing a rich bibliographical and iconographical index and a list of the master's students, illustrated with a section of 77 reproduction photographs included in the pagination. Copy XII of only 50 deluxe copies printed in large format on laid Ingres d'Arches paper, containing one inserted additional plate 'hors texte' and an additional 6 pp. booklet of "illustrations hors-serie." This copy inscribed on the ffe of Volume I by the son of the composer/violinist Antoine Ysaye to Belgian man of letters Robert De Smet, and also including an important and lengthy original autograph letter from Eugene Ysaye addressed to his wife Louise (also called "Michette"), the letter transcribed in full within the printed volume on pages 170-172. Aix-les-Bains, 06.11.1908, 16 pp. 4 Double ff., 12mo, on monogram letterhead of the Avenue Brugman address. An important letter in which the virtuoso makes a comparison between the painter and musician, expresses poetically his feeling for nature and reports his philosophy of life and death: "(...) we must give ourselves over to the laws of nature of which we are only one atom and, always ascending towards our sources, - to God! - we must and we want to lift up our souls, which finally, perfect, white, and immaculate, are the only gift that God accepts." Read More...