Early Handwritten Program Draft with Drawings

Early autograph document signed in the hand of Surrealist writer André Thirion, a draft for a series of modernist music performances in 1924-1925 as part of the Comité Nancy-Paris season, incorporating the young writer's comments and with several autograph drawings of musicians. 4 pp. The document outlines a season of 8 concerts, with nos. 1 and 2 mentioned only briefly at the head of the first page. Concerts nos. 3–8 include: a recital by pianist Yvonne Dugenest and singer Gustave Simon, including works by Italian Modernists Malipiero, Casella, Respighi and Pizetti, as well as Ravel; a concert for piano, violin and voice with works by Tailleferre, Honegger, Florent Schmitt, Stravinsky and others; a concert of the Quatuor Vandelle with works by Milhaud, HIndemith, Ravel and Malipiero; a program of vocal works by Milhaud and others; a program of violin and piano works by Bartok (described as a "Hongrois remarquable"), Tansman, Szymanowski, and Honegger; and a final concert with Stravinsky's Renard as well as works by Kodaly, De Falla, and others. Thirion adds explanatory notes throughout, addressed to an unnamed colleague, and signs decoratively at the foot of the last page. The document is illustrated with six charming small sketches of musicians performing. A remarkable document from the then only 18-year-old Thirion, uniting many of Les Six and the Italian Modernists, among other important composers of the 1920's. Toning; hole punches; edge wear and folding creases; overall very good. 8 x 12.25 inches (20.2 x 31.2 cm).

The Comité Nancy-Paris was a literary and artistic association founded by Georges Sadoul in 1923. Its core members were the writers Maurice Boissais and André Thirion, the painters Étienne Cournault and Jean Lurçat, as well as architects and journalists. Between 1923 and 1927, the association organized a series of exhibitions, conferences, film screenings and concerts. Their largest accomplishment was a exposition of painting, sculpture and architecture in March 1926 which included works by Miró and Picasso.

André Thirion (1907–2001) was a French writer, Surrealist, and political activist. A member of the Communist party from 1925, he participated in the activities of the Surrealist movement between 1928 and 1934. In November 1930, with André Breton, he drafted the statutes of the "A.A.E.R." (Association des artistes et écrivains révolutionnaires) which the French Communist Party took over in 1932, changing the acronym to "A.E.A.R." and excluding the Surrealists. (17667)

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Autograph Letter

Autograph Document

Classical Music

$350.00

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