Messiaen, Olivier. (1908–1992)
Autograph Letter about "Visions de l'Amen"
Autograph letter signed from the important twentieth-century composer to Jean Hesse, regarding the organization of a concert of piano duos with Yvonne Loriod, his student and later his second wife. Brussels, November 20, 1945. 1 p., 8vo, with original envelope. Translated from the French, in part: "I am writing to you from Brussels, where I am giving several concerts of my works (piano, organ, broadcast, orchestra, etc)—to confirm to you that I will arrive in Grenoble on November 28 [...] Yvonne Loriod will be with me. Our concert on November 29, in the evening, at the Grenoble Theater, with the program as agreed. Don't forget that we need 2 good grand pianos, and 2 page turners. Don't forget, also, the publicity with the elements that I sent you [...] Make sure to include in the program the printed titles, sub-titles and commentaries on my piano pieces and on my "Visions de l'Amen" that I sent you. I will add that it is essential for us to rehearse on the 2 pianos on the 28th." Overall toning, but otherwise in very fine condition, together with the original envelope. 6 x 7.5 inches (15 x 19 cm).From the 1940's on, the young pianist Yvonne Loriod premiered most of Messiaen's works for piano, including his Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus and Trois petites liturgies de la présence divine. His work Visions de l'Amen (1943), commissioned for the Concerts de la Pléiade during the German occupation of Paris, was written for Loriod and himself to perform. Messiaen assigned the primo part (played by Yvonne Loriod) "rhythmic difficulties, chord clusters, all that has speed, charm, and quality of sound," and the secondo part (played by himself) "the principal melody, thematic elements, all that demands emotion and strength."
Messiaen spent his childhood in the mountains of the Dauphiné region near Grenoble, and it was in that region that he wrote his first great works. (15822)
Autograph Letter Classical Music