Important 2-page ALS to David Blum, the symphonic conductor and writer on classical music. Concerning a bit on his unpredictable schedule, but mostly about Blum's book "Casals and the Art of Interpretation,"  the nature of "hero-authority" and mentioning a number of leading conductors, the variability of interpretation with a discourse on Puccini etc. etc. 11.5 x 8.25 inch (29 x 21 cm). Letters from Kleiber are of legendary rarity and this is certainly the most extraordinary letter we have ever encountered on the market. 


David Blum made a number of recordings, including works by Mozart and Telemann and a series of Haydn symphonies for the Vanguard label, with the Esterhazy Orchestra of New York, which he founded in 1961 and directed until 1969. He was music director of the Lausanne Symphony Orchestra in Switzerland from 1973 to 1982 and of the Geneva Symphony Orchestra, which he also founded, from 1977 to 1986, and conducted many other orchestras as a guest. Mr. Blum devoted his later years to writing, showing a particular fascination with musical performers and their approaches to their art. In addition to three books -- ''Casals and the Art of Interpretation,'' ''The Art of Quartet Playing: The Guarneri Quartet in Conversation With David Blum'' and ''Paul Tortelier'' -- he wrote articles for The New Yorker, The Musical Times, The Strad and the Arts and Leisure section of The New York Times.