Mitropoulos, Dimitri. (1896–1960) [Rosenthal, Manuel. (1904–2003)]
Typed letter signed to Manuel Rosenthal
TLS of the Greek-born American conductor, then music director of the New York Philharmonic, to one of the most influential and respected French conductors of the 20th century. No place [New York?], October 29, 1953. 1 p. On Mitropoulos letterhead paper (watermark from Eaton's). Mitropoulos declines a request from Rosenthal to perform his (only) symphony, "I feel really ashamed to have to refuse such a thing to a musician of your calibre by telling you that for a long time to come I cannot consider any more new works..." 7 x. 7.25 inches (18 x 18.5 cm). The unusual, slightly oblong format is the result of the blank bottom of the page having been torn off. Two punch holes to left margin. Otherwise in good condition.The French composer and conductor held leading positions with musical organizations in France and America. He was friends with many of his contemporary composers, and despite a considerable list of compositions is mostly remembered for having created the popular ballet score Gaîté Parisienne and left a varied legacy of recordings. Rosenthal's ties with many French composers, and especially with Maurice Ravel, gave him an unrivalled authority in the contemporary French repertory. "In 1926, Ravel invited him to bring him some of his compositions. From being one of Ravel's rare pupils, Rosenthal soon became a friend, and he left moving tributes to the maître in articles and interviews, as well as the book Ravel: Souvenirs De Manuel Rosenthal (1995). Rosenthal tried to emulate Ravel's example of perfectionism, with memories of many a laboriously completed exercise torn up and dropped in Ravel's waste-paper basket.
It was Ravel who decided Rosenthal's future as a conductor. In 1928 he persuaded the Concerts Pasdeloup to devote a concert to Rosenthal's works and to engage him to conduct it. Never having been on a rostrum before, Rosenthal was terrified, but among those impressed was the celebrated conductor Désiré-Émile Inghelbrecht; when he founded the French National Orchestra in 1934, he took on Rosenthal as his assistant." (Roger Nichols, The Guardian, "Manuel Rosenthal: Obituary," June 8, 2003).
(21945)Signed Document/Item Classical Music