Rachmaninoff, Sergei. (1873–1943) [Medtner, Nikolai. (1880–1951)]
Signed Letter about Medtner's book
Typed letter, signed "S. Rachmaninoff." 25 July, 1935. Letterhead of the Villa Senar, Hertenstein, Luzern. 9 3/4 x 7 in. In English, to Mr. Henderson: "It gave me great pleasure to hear that you liked Medtner's book so much. It would be nice for Medtner if it could be translated into English and it is most kind of you to express the desire to pay for the translation. I regret that I cannot give the permission for the translation as all the rights belong to the author. The most difficult thing will be to find someone willing to publish the book. Unfortunately this time I will not be able to do it."One of the very last Romantic composer-pianists, Medtner's career was overshadowed by his close contemporaries Scriabin and Rachmaninoff. Like them, he placed the piano at the heart of his creative activity, but unlike them he tempered a Russian spirit with musical thought more firmly based in the Western classical tradition. Published in Russian in 1935, Medtner's one book, "The Muse and the Fashion, being a defence of the foundations of the art of music" was a statement of his artistic credo and reaction to some of the trends of the time. The English translation (by Alfred Swan) was not published until 1951. (11348)
Signature Classical Music