Martinu, Bohuslav. (1890–1959)
Group of Letters and Autograph Musical Quotations
An interesting collection of letters, autograph musical quotations, and other materials from the prolific and innovative Czech composer. Included are two letters (one ALS, December 8, 1952, 1 p.; and one TLS, April 4, 1958, 2 pp.) to his student Peter Pindar Stearns, offering encouragement and advice to the younger composer; five fragments of autograph musical notation in Martinu's hand, each identified with a typewritten caption; 4 pp. of autograph music in Martinu's hand, identified on a small label as a realization of figured bass from Corelli's Sonata op. 1, no. 5; and an invitation to and a program from the Memorial Concert for Martinu on November 28, 1959 and Mannes Recital Hall. Complete details below. Some toning and light wear; overall fine.Autograph letter signed: "December 8, 1952. Dear Peter: Thank you very much for your nice letter. I am glad that you are getting through and that you keep body and soul together. I understand you are missing N.Y., it is a fascinating place and we attach ourselves very much to it. You are perfectly right too that we realize it when we get away. That's the way of life. But you certainly have lots to do over there and have a blue sky which we do not have here and that you are busy with your job and work. It gives me a real pleasure that you remember our lessons and that you enjoyed them. I didn't see Bamberger yet and I don't know what projects are in the School for this year, but I will keep your Concerto in mind for the performance, I guess they have your score? Keep in touch with me about your artistic life and your successes, will you? I was in Europe for six months and had a time of my life, now I am once more spoiling my eyes with notes and am pretty busy. I have no news from St. Barbara and I think I will go to Erope for summer anyway. Best regards to you and to yours from both of us. Sincerely your's, B. Martinu." 8 x 10.5 inches (20.5 x 26.7 cm). Together with the original airmail envelope postmarked December 10, 1952.
Typed letter signed: "April 4, 1958. Dear Peter: Thank you for your letter I was delighted to hear from you and delighted that you are working hard despite a little time which is left to you. I am glad you like my Incantations and that it gives you something. I didn't hear it, hope Firkusny will play it somewhere in Europe, well Thank you for your nice appreciation. When you are at the Violim concerto be very carefull about the part orchestra do not charge it to make the violin to struggle to get trough, it is such a fragile instrument and let it singe Chanter. Is your fourth the symphony you started with me, with the nice beginning? We have tryied to catch the Stuttgard concert with Bamberger with the Radio but with no success. I heard very good performence by Bamberger of the Comedy on the bridge but already on the tape. I would like to see you teaching the composition, you can see now it is not a easy business, so good luck. Am glad that you have many performences and you shall have more. When you are now in the orchestral feeling try to find the Formes for yourself, do not stick to the established formes of symphony etc, get to the job with the free mind and do not yourself hypnotised by all these Symphony-masterpieces which you know. And if I didn't already give you this advice, attack the small orchestra not the one with everything by four instruments. Do you have my only one record of Fantaisies played by Munch? And of course, never give up. Thank you once more for your letter it gabe me a great pleasure. Give my best regards to everyone in Mannes College and send also my best regards to your Maman. To you all my best wishes. Sincerely yours, B. Martinu." 5.75 x 8.25 inches (14.5 x 21 cm).
Included are several autograph musical fragments from Martinu's Duo for Violin and Cello: one from the first movement, dated April 5, 1950; another from the first movement, dated November 21, 1949; one from the second movement, dated February 1, 1950; and a further sheet with five very small fragments from the first movement mounted on, dated March 8 and 15, 1950. A further sheet has a clipped and mounted fragment from the first movement of Martinu's Quartet no. 1. These fragments each on a small sheet, varied sizes 8.5 x 3.5 to 8.5 x 7 inches. The realization of Corelli's figured bass is written in pencil on 4 pp. of a bifolium; 24 staves of music in total, with several struck through.
The Memorial Concert of November 28, 1959 was an all-Martinu program performed by Rudolf Firkusny, Joseph Fuchs, Artur Balsam, Lillian Fuchs and Dorothy Bergquist, and the Mannes Chamber Orchestra. Included are an invitation and program from the concert. Small stains and folding crease; 6.25 x 8.5 inches.
Peter Pindar Stearns (1931–2016), the son of composer Theodore Stearns (1881–1935), was a composer, organist, and for many years professor at Mannes School of Music. (17236)
Archive Classical Music