Long, Marguerite. (1874–1966)
Five Autograph Letters Signed
Five ALS of the legendary French pianist and teacher, friend and champion of both Debussy and Ravel. In French. In fine condition.1. To "Monsieur Bottenheim" in Amsterdam. 3 pp., air mail letter (address and postscript on fourth page). Postmarked Paris, September 20, 1922. Promotional stamp, "Utilisez la poste aérienne / Se renseigner dans les bureaux de poste." Long asks her correspondent to reserve a room at the Hôtel des Pays-Bas, where she had stayed in the previous December. The correspondent could be Salomon Adriaan Maria Bottenheim (1880-1957), author of some books on music. 6.75 x 4.25 inches (17.5 x 11 cm).
2. To unidentified male recipient (possibly Mr. Bottenheim). 2 pp. Leaf with letterhead of "École Marguerite Long." Dated "Sunday." Mentions a concerto by Mozart and the pianist Pauline Gordon (1910-2000). Signed with her married name [from marriage to Joseph Marliave, musicologist], "M. Long de Marliave" 8.25 x 5.25 inches (21 x 13.5 cm).
3. To unidentified male recipient (most likely, Mr. Bottenheim). 2 pp. 1 leaf. Dated "Thursday night" [no earlier than 1917, see below]. Long mentions a [cello] sonata by Ropartz (1864-1955), which she dislikes. "I will depart Sunday morning and arrive in Amsterdam at 8 PM. I will not be able to study it [the sonata] in Amsterdam. I am really upset by this. What shall I do?" The postscript again mentions the Hôtel Pays-Bas. 10.5 x 8.25 inches (27 x 21 cm).
4. To unidentified male recipient (same as in previous letter, to which this is a follow-up). 2 pp. 1 leaf. Château de St-Jean [rest of place name illegible], August 29 [no year]. "I thus accept playing the quintet by [Gabriel] Pierné [1863-1937]. I will play it with much pleasure for your concerts and for my friend G. Pierné." The piano quintet by Pierné was composed in 1917, which allows to date the letter no earlier than that year. 11 x 8.75 inches (28 x 22 cm).
5. To unidentified male recipient (same as in previous letter, to which this is a follow-up). 2 pp., with additional lines written sideways to verso. 1 leaf. Bourbon l'Archambault, Allier department, September 13 [no year]. "Your telegram reached me only ... after I went to Paris." She complains about her recipient's demands concerning the repertory. While she is satisfied with playing the Pierné quintet and even promises to study the Ropartz sonata because she would have the opportunity of performing it with cellist Marix Loevensohn (1880-1943), she does not want to play the Poème [for piano and string quartet, 1911] by Gabriel Dupont (1878-1914), "which I don't know." 11 x 8.75 inches (28 x 22 cm). (21672)
Autograph Letter Classical Music France