[Monteux, Pierre. (1875–1964)] Knopf, Alfred. A. (1892–1984)
Typed Letter Signed, Soliciting a Book from Monteux
Typed letter signed from the important American publisher to the conductor, dated March 1, 1962, mentioning Monteux's remarks on contemporary music in the latest issue of The New Yorker and offering to publish a book by Monteux. Knopf writes, in part: "... I read in Mr. Sargeant's column tantalizingly brief quotations from your A. P. interview in London. Really, my dear Monsieur Monteux, you should write a book for me to publish. What you would have to say would fall, I am sure, on many sympathetic ears. I would like to have such a book from you on my list." 1 p. Folding creases, otherwise in fine condition. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.6 x 28 cm). From the estate of Monteux's daughter, Nancie Monteux Barendse.The remarks to which Knopf refers, published in the February 1962 issue of The New Yorker, revealed Monteux's extremely skeptical views on much of the twentieth-century classical repertoire: "M. Monteux, with admirable candor, stated it as his opinion that of all the 'modern' music written in recent decades, only a few works of Stravinsky would 'perhaps' turn out to be of any permanent value. He expressed doubt about the staying power of Prokofieff's compositions, dismissed those of Shostakovich completely, and continued, 'Berg: He will be finished in ten years. Hindemith: No inspiration... He will not live. Bartok: I give him ten years. Mahler: He will not live..." (13778)
TLS Classical Music