Villa-Lobos, Hector. (1887–1959)
Typed Letter Signed about his "Rudepoema"
Typed letter signed from the important Brazilian composer to American pianist Raymond Lewenthal. July 12, 1950; 1 p. Translated from the Portuguese: "Dear Mr. Lewenthal:Only today have I been able to respond to your letter of May 11, due to being absent from Rio, on an artistic tour through the various States of Brazil. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of 'Rudepoema' to send you, but I advise you to write directly to my publisher in Paris, Maison Max-Eschig, Rue de Rome 48, France, who can send you a copy. I take this opportunity to suggest that you seek to obtain this song through the Associated Music Publishers in New York, or from the Villa-Lobos Music Corporation, 1585 Broadway, New York. With my apologies that I cannot help you, I send you my high esteem and distinct consideration. H. Villa-Lobos." On fragile orange airmail paper with some edge tears and losses; overall very good. 8.5 x 12.5 inches (22 x 31 cm).
Rudepoêma ("Savage Poem") was written in Rio de Janeiro from 1921 to 1926 and is the largest and most challenging work Villa-Lobos wrote for the solo piano. The score's dedicatee, Arthur Rubinstein, explained, "The 'Rude' of the title did not have the English meaning. In Brazil it meant 'savage'. When I asked him if he considered me a savage pianist, he said excitedly, 'We are both savage! We don't care much for pedantic detail. I compose and you play, off the heart, making the music live, and this is what I hope I expressed in this work.'"
Raymond Lewenthal (1923–1988) was an American pianist. Lewenthal made his debut in 1948 with Dimitri Mitropoulos and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The occasion marked the first time a soloist had been invited to play Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 under Mitropoulos's direction—that being a work which the conductor was famous for playing himself. The success of this performance was followed a few weeks later by Lewenthal's New York recital debut. These events launched his North American career, which flourished until it came to a sudden halt in 1953; while walking through New York's Central Park, Lewenthal was attacked by a gang of hoodlums and suffered broken bones in his hands and arms. Although he did recover and return to performing, with a particular focus on the works of lesser-known Romantic composers, his career never quite lived up to the promise of his debut. (17310)
TLS Classical Music