A fascinating collection of 14 autograph letters and cards and 2 telegrams addressed to the important French composer, dated between 1903 and 1917, from musicians and other artistic figures of the era. The letters, from correspondents including conductors, critics, dancers, composers, and visual artists, mention the very positive reception of Debussy's works during the last years of his life, including his 1903 nomination as a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur, the Chicago premiere of his opera Pelléas et Melisande, and Toscanini's 1911 performance of La Mer; other works discussed include his ballet Jeux, the cantata L'enfant prodigue, and his work for piano, L'isle joyeuse. Letters range from 4 x 2.5 inches to 5.25 x 8.25 inches and are overall in very good to fine condition, with some light toning and age wear. All letters in French. Read More...
Piano vocal score. Oblong folio. Engraved throughout. [PN] 3027. 50pp. Text in French and German. Inscribed on the title in an unknown hand to M. Gortebeeck, as a "souvenir de la bonne et belle exécution" of the work on August 19, 1864 at the secondary school of Dendermonde, Belgium, where Gortebeeck was the director of the of the "Koninklijk Harmonieorkest Sint Cecilia." In original pink wrappers, reinforced with contemporary paper along the spine, spine chipped, handling wear and light staining around the edges, title and early page lower margins with evidence of (mostly cleaned) ink staining, a few pages quite toned, overall very good. Read More...