Harris, Roy. (1898-1979)
Autograph Letter
Autograph letter from the important twentieth-century American composer to the pianist Harry Cumpson, ca. 1930, mentioning his work on Symphony 1933 and promising to send Cumpson some new music shortly. "Dear Harry -- Thanks for everything -- I'll send you some new themes soon -- Am nearly to the end of part copying -- and beginning to work on Symphony -- Next piano work will probably be Sextet with woodwinds + horn -- You ought to do that with League of Composers -- It will be ready by next summer -- What of the Sextet -- Love Ray." 1 p. on a bifolium; mounting remnants at the corners but otherwise in fine condition. 5 x 6.5 inches (12.7 x 16.3 cm).Together with an autograph letter from Harry Cumpson to collector Winifred Kahn (daughter (?) of Siegfried Kahn, famous host of musical parties in the 1920's and 30's), gifting her this letter and another from Moszkowski (not included with this group). Cumpson dates the letter to 1930, "before [Harris] became famous." Also included is an autograph note to the collector from her father, dated December 3, 1940, gifting her some further unspecified autographs.
Best-known for his symphonies, especially Symphony no. 3 (1939), Roy Harris wrote much music on American subjects. A champion of many causes, he founded the International String Congress to combat what was perceived as a shortage of string players in the U.S., and co-founded the American Composers Alliance. Although the rugged American patriotism of his works of the 1930s and 1940s is reflected in his research into and use of folk music (and to a lesser extent of jazz rhythms), Harris was paradoxically obsessed with the great European pre-classical forms, especially fugue and passacaglia. Harry Cumpson, the first lecturer in music at the University of Buffalo, edited Harris' Piano Sonata no. 1. (14081)
Autograph Letter Classical Music