Charming autograph letter from the important nineteenth-century singer to a female friend and pianist, organizing an evening of chamber music and reporting an amusing mistake made by her maid. Dated Thursday, March 29. Translated from the French: "Dear young friend, Will you be so kind as to bring the (simple) quartet version of the Bach Concerto? I cannot find my orchestra parts any more. Don't be late -- I have had a nice Pleyel brought for you. We will play in the Galerie -- it will be charming. [...] We'll begin with the beautiful Schumann string quartet. Can you imagine, my new maid, who brought your answer yesterday evening, said [...] that you would come this evening, but that you were too tired to play... Pantomime!!!! Isn't that lovely?" 3 pp. on a small bifolium with Viardot's monogram. In fine condition. 6 x 4 inches (15.4 x 10 cm). Read More...
Autograph note from the legendary Golden Age soprano to the important French impresario, arranging to come to visit him that afternoon. Postmarked Paris, July 17, 1906. Perforated edges; folding creases; overall in very good condition. 9 x 5.25 inches (22.6 x 13.4 cm).
Autograph letter from the important French harpist, teacher and composer, the eldest son of the eighteenth-century harp maker Jean Henri Naderman. Dated January 2, 1835, in the last year of Naderman's life and ten years after he became the first harp professor at the Conservatoire de Paris. Writing to a M. Ferrière, apparently an employee of the Conservatoire, Naderman enquires whether Ferrière has heard from three other musicians in regard to an upcoming project, one of whom will play "the violin solo. I believe that these gentlemen were supposed to send their responses to the Conservatory." 1 p. One small loss at the left and light folding creases; overall in fine condition. 4.75 x 7.5 inches (12.1 x 19.5 cm). Read More...
Autograph letter from the French harpist and composer to the members of the Comité du Théâtre Feydeau, asking for access to the theater in order to be able to complete his own opera. August 12, 1813. Translated from the French, in part: "Mr. Sewrin has asked me to compose the music for a poem in three acts which you received some time ago. I am working on it with great zeal, but to succeed [...] I feel that I need to study the great masters who have illustrated the scene, so I ask for the the favor to have access [to the theater] from now on, although rehearsals for my opera will not begin for several weeks..." He signs, "M. Ch. Bochsa, premier Harpiste de la musique de S. m." The opera mentioned is Bochsa's first work for the Opéra-Comique, L’héritier de Paimpol, with text by the playwright Sewrin, which premiered at the Théâtre Feydeau in December 1813. 1 p. of a bifolium, addressed on the verso. Folding creases and light toning; overall in fine condition. 7.25 x 9.5 inches (18.4 x 24 cm). Read More...
Neatly penned autograph letter, one page, 5 x 6.5, no date but postmarked April 6, 1922. Addressed on the reverse in Dukas’s own hand to Henri Prunières and signed "Paul Dukas." The letter apologizes for missing a visit from the addressee and from "Monsieur Béla Bartok, whose acquaintance I would have been delighted to make. All the more so since I must respond to your kind invitation for Saturday. I have to be in Valenciennes on Sunday to help with the concert of the Societé du Conservatoire there. And if I don't take the train at 5:10 in the evening on Saturday, I will have to get up at 6:30 to leave on Sunday morning! So in this case despite all my regrets, I must excuse myself..." A scarce and rather charming letter from the French composer, critic, scholar and teacher best known for his "L'apprenti sorcier "(The Sorcerer's Apprentice) and his opera "Ariane et Barbe-bleue." Read More...
A short autograph letter from the French Romantic composer, addressed to the French journalist, music critic and music publisher Léon Escudier and thanking him for a "superb and warm" article about his works. Translated from the French, in full: "My dear Escudier (I believe it was Leon who was the author), I came to shake your hand and thank you for the superb and warm article. There has rarely been written on my compositions something which is so remarkable in its insights, and which has made me so happy. Yours, H. Berlioz." 1 p., with an additional cover page addressed to Escudier. No place, no date. One tear, some small chips, smudges, and toning; overall in very good condition. 4.25 x 5 inches (10.5 x 13 cm). Together with a later sepia postcard portrait of the composer, 5 x 7 inches (12.5 x 17.7 cm). Read More...
Autograph letter from French composer and pianist. In French, addressed to Gabriel-Jean-Francois Baixe ("Monsieur le Docteur"), President of the Académie du Var. 1 page. 20 October, 1933. Translated from the French: "My friend Françoise Léo-Roussel brought me on your behalf the precious X-ray and I cannot thank you enough... the analysis disconcerts me, for I thought myself in better shape! I shall have to look after myself better, but the cold has always been bad for me and I hope for the return of the sun, which is one of the best remedies. - Many thanks again and please accept all my warmest and most grateful sentiments. C. Carbonel-Chaminade. P.S. I am enclosing a collection of melodies for the raffle on January 13." Creases and several small tears, significantly to the postscript; overall in good condition. 8 x 10.5 inches (20.5 x 26.8 cm). Read More...