Hahn, Reynaldo. (1874 - 1947)
Autograph Letter concerning "La Pastorale de Noel."
Autograph letter to “mon cher Directeur,” 6 pp, with Hahn's address (9 Rue Alfred de Vigny) at the head, and the conclusion of the letter and signature “Votre dévoué Reynaldo Hahn," also continued back to the head of the first page. Undated, ca. 1901.Hahn requests his correspondent to look over the part in the play he is enclosing with his letter. He refers to the play as this “little marvel of the Middle Ages;” it is a mystery play by Arnould Gréban, almost entirely in its original form, but slightly popularized and adapted to modern language by “two very learned humanists and mediaevalists.” Hahn refers to his deep regard for his “directeur” despite the fact that he has heard that the feeling is not reciprocated, and hopes that the play will appeal to him. He explains the circumstances under which the work was undertaken, revealing that he had not at first intended to make a theatrical representation of it. He and Anatole France had seen it as a Christmas show performed in rather unsuitable conditions. France had been very struck by the simple grace of the verses and Hahn composed a slender musical web around them, and without orchestra, décor, and almost without costumes the Nativity play was performed in a boys’ school under the patronage of Cardinal Langenieux. The effect, explains Hahn, was profound and succeeded in recreating the slightly barbarous naïveté of the 15th century.
The highly original Venezuelan-born French composer was responsible for some of the most beautiful works of the period. Marcel Proust, the great writer who was Hahn's lover, wrote that "everything I have done has always been thanks to Reynaldo." Hahn's "La pastorale de Noël, Mistère" for soloists, chorus and orchestra, is a "Christmas Mystery" (Oratorio) in 3 acts. The libretto by Léonel de La Tourasse and Charles Gailly de Taurines was "reduced and adapted for the present times" in 1901 from the original 15th century religious drama by Arnoul Greban. Hahn's version was published by Heugel in 1908. (9284)
Manuscript Music Classical Music