Rachmaninoff, Sergei. (1873–1943)
Signed Photograph to George Gershwin
Vintage doubleweight original 8 x 10 inch Maillard Kesslere matte sepia photograph, signed and inscribed by the composer-pianist "To Mr. George Gershwin / cordially / Sergei Rachmaninoff / 2 April 1931." Nicely matted and framed in conservation materials to 15.5 x 17 inches overall.Rachmaninoff visited New York in the spring of 1931 to play a recital and for his annual midseason vacation. He had known Gershwin already for a number of years, ever since his having been invited in 1924, "along with many other prominent classical performers, to Paul Whiteman's 'An Experiment in Modern Music' concert at Aeolian Hall, New York...at which Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' had its world premiere." (Max Harrison, "Rachmaninoff: Life, Works, Recordings," p. 246) The influence of the Rhapsody in Blue on Rachmaninoff, who had done little composing since leaving his native Russia six years earlier, was to be heard in his Fourth Piano Concerto, whose premiere he gave with Stokowski in 1926.
The inscription a shade light, mounting remnants on the verso, otherwise crisp, fine condition. A truly remarkable association, a spectacular and important presentation photograph linking two of the giants of music history. (13252)
Signed Photograph Classical Music