Galimir, Felix. (1910 - 1999)
Two Autograph Letters to David Blum
Pair of autograph letters, each 1p, from the beloved Austrian-born American-Jewish violinist and music teacher. They are addressed to David Blum, the symphonic conductor and writer on classical music. The first is undated and concerns Arthur Schnabel, about whom Blum had written an article ("One can sense how much you personally liked him and what he meant to you. May I say, that I agree with you 100 per cent and that his pianism speaks to us.") The second, dated 1995, thanks Blum for a gift of his Haydn Symphony recordings ("They are absolutely delightful and I love them. I particularly love the Andante and Menuetto of the G-major Symphony.") Usual folds, in fine condition. Together with an original 1975 10 x 8 inch publicity photograph.David Blum made a number of recordings, including works by Mozart and Telemann and a series of Haydn symphonies for the Vanguard label, with the Esterhazy Orchestra of New York, which he founded in 1961 and directed until 1969. He was music director of the Lausanne Symphony Orchestra in Switzerland from 1973 to 1982 and of the Geneva Symphony Orchestra, which he also founded, from 1977 to 1986, and conducted many other orchestras as a guest. Mr. Blum devoted his later years to writing, showing a particular fascination with musical performers and their approaches to their art. In addition to three books -- ''Casals and the Art of Interpretation,'' ''The Art of Quartet Playing: The Guarneri Quartet in Conversation With David Blum'' and ''Paul Tortelier'' -- he wrote articles for The New Yorker, The Musical Times, The Strad and the Arts and Leisure section of The New York Times. (7672)
Autograph Letter Classical Music