[Massenet, Jules. (1842–1912)] Philipp, Isidor. (1863–1958)
Air de Ballet des Scènes Pittoresques, Manuscrit à 2 Pianos par I. Philipp - Autograph Musical Manuscript
Autograph musical manuscript of Jules Massenet's Air de ballet (No. 2 from the suite Scènes pittoresques), arranged for two pianos by the French pianist and composer Isidor Philipp. Autograph score in black ink entirely in the hand of Philipp as submitted for engraving to the publisher Heugel (PN 24937), with dynamics, expression markings, and some changes made in black ink in a finer pen; staves rubber-stamped "1er" and "2d"; page numbers and other publisher's notes added in pencil. Title page stamped "Gravé / Corrigé" and initialed; copyrighted 1910 at the foot. 9 pp. Soiling and toning to the title page, with some edge wear; internally toned but crisp; overall very good. 10.75 x 13.75 inches (27.5 x 35 cm).
One of several similar orchestral suites, Massenet's Scènes pittoresques shows "easy command of the musical vignette, each characterized by a dance rhythm or a special combination of instruments or a touch of local colour. This kind of music came to him very easily, but it is never extended to the point where its facility becomes banal, his sense of an apt shape of such a piece being always alert." (Hugh Macdonald, Grove Online.)
The French pianist, composer, and pedagogue Isidor Edmond Philipp was born in Budapest and died in Paris. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris with Georges Mathias and Camille Saint-Saëns, where he became a lifelong friend of his classmate Claude Debussy. After a successful concert career, he became known primarily as a pedagogue, teaching many important pianists of the next generation. He was close friends with many of the leading pianists and composers of his day, including Leopold Godowsky, Ferruccio Busoni, Alfred Cortot, Béla Bartók, Nadia Boulanger, and Jules Massenet. (15465)
Manuscript Music Classical Music