[Rachmaninoff, Sergei. (1873–1943)] Sorabji, Kaikhosru Shapurji. (1892–1988). Signed Letter in defense of Rachmaninoff. A rare and interesting letter from the colorful, enigmatic Parsi composer and journalist best known for his keyboard works of labyrinthine complexity and protracted length, some lasting hours. Notorious for his reclusiveness and prickly manner, Sorabji imposed a decades-long moratorium on performances of his works, relenting only in his final years. Any signed material is scarce.
TLS, "Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji," 1 page. May 19th, 1941. To W. McNaught of The Musical Times, in part: "My dear Sir; This controversy originated with your - and other critics' - expressed or implied dismissal of Rachmaninoff as composer of small significance or importance, plus a statement on point of fact definitely and glaringly at variance with the facts. I adduced evidence to show the very high estimation in which Rachmaninoff was and is held by musicians of supreme eminence. You proceeded to introduce - after the manner of journalists - various ungermane and impertinent irrelevancies, regarding myself, my position as a critic and what not. From this, you have now gone on to dragging Delius, Busoni and Mahler into the discussion! Given time you will doubtless drag in the music of interstellar space as well."
TLS, "Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji," 1 page. May 19th, 1941. To W. McNaught of The Musical Times, in part: "My dear Sir; This controversy originated with your - and other critics' - expressed or implied dismissal of Rachmaninoff as composer of small significance or importance, plus a statement on point of fact definitely and glaringly at variance with the facts. I adduced evidence to show the very high estimation in which Rachmaninoff was and is held by musicians of supreme eminence. You proceeded to introduce - after the manner of journalists - various ungermane and impertinent irrelevancies, regarding myself, my position as a critic and what not. From this, you have now gone on to dragging Delius, Busoni and Mahler into the discussion! Given time you will doubtless drag in the music of interstellar space as well."
[Rachmaninoff, Sergei. (1873–1943)] Sorabji, Kaikhosru Shapurji. (1892–1988). Signed Letter in defense of Rachmaninoff. A rare and interesting letter from the colorful, enigmatic Parsi composer and journalist best known for his keyboard works of labyrinthine complexity and protracted length, some lasting hours. Notorious for his reclusiveness and prickly manner, Sorabji imposed a decades-long moratorium on performances of his works, relenting only in his final years. Any signed material is scarce.
TLS, "Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji," 1 page. May 19th, 1941. To W. McNaught of The Musical Times, in part: "My dear Sir; This controversy originated with your - and other critics' - expressed or implied dismissal of Rachmaninoff as composer of small significance or importance, plus a statement on point of fact definitely and glaringly at variance with the facts. I adduced evidence to show the very high estimation in which Rachmaninoff was and is held by musicians of supreme eminence. You proceeded to introduce - after the manner of journalists - various ungermane and impertinent irrelevancies, regarding myself, my position as a critic and what not. From this, you have now gone on to dragging Delius, Busoni and Mahler into the discussion! Given time you will doubtless drag in the music of interstellar space as well."
TLS, "Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji," 1 page. May 19th, 1941. To W. McNaught of The Musical Times, in part: "My dear Sir; This controversy originated with your - and other critics' - expressed or implied dismissal of Rachmaninoff as composer of small significance or importance, plus a statement on point of fact definitely and glaringly at variance with the facts. I adduced evidence to show the very high estimation in which Rachmaninoff was and is held by musicians of supreme eminence. You proceeded to introduce - after the manner of journalists - various ungermane and impertinent irrelevancies, regarding myself, my position as a critic and what not. From this, you have now gone on to dragging Delius, Busoni and Mahler into the discussion! Given time you will doubtless drag in the music of interstellar space as well."