Villa-Lobos, Hector. (1887–1959). Typed Letter Signed about his "Rudepoema".
Raymond Lewenthal (1923–1988) was an American pianist. Lewenthal made his debut in 1948 with Dimitri Mitropoulos and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The occasion marked the first time a soloist had been invited to play Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 under Mitropoulos's direction—that being a work which the conductor was famous for playing himself. The success of this performance was followed a few weeks later by Lewenthal's New York recital debut. These events launched his North American career, which flourished until it came to a sudden halt in 1953; while walking through New York's Central Park, Lewenthal was attacked by a gang of hoodlums and suffered broken bones in his hands and arms. Although he did recover and return to performing, with a particular focus on the works of lesser-known Romantic composers, his career never quite lived up to the promise of his debut.
Typed letter signed from the important Brazilian composer to American pianist Raymond Lewenthal. July 12, 1950; 1 p. Translated from the Portuguese: "Dear Mr. Lewenthal:
Only today have I been able to respond to your letter of May 11, due to being absent from Rio, on an artistic tour through the various States of Brazil. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of 'Rudepoema' to send you, but I advise you to write directly to my publisher in Paris, Maison Max-Eschig, Rue de Rome 48, France, who can send you a copy. I take this opportunity to suggest that you seek to obtain this song through the Associated Music Publishers in New York, or from the Villa-Lobos Music Corporation, 1585 Broadway, New York. With my apologies that I cannot help you, I send you my high esteem and distinct consideration. H. Villa-Lobos." On fragile orange airmail paper with some edge tears and losses; overall very good. 8.5 x 12.5 inches (22 x 31 cm).
Rudepoêma ("Savage Poem") was written in Rio de Janeiro from 1921 to 1926 and is the largest and most challenging work Villa-Lobos wrote for the solo piano. The score's dedicatee, Arthur Rubinstein, explained, "The 'Rude' of the title did not have the English meaning. In Brazil it meant 'savage'. When I asked him if he considered me a savage pianist, he said excitedly, 'We are both savage! We don't care much for pedantic detail. I compose and you play, off the heart, making the music live, and this is what I hope I expressed in this work.'"
Villa-Lobos, Hector. (1887–1959). Typed Letter Signed about his "Rudepoema".
Raymond Lewenthal (1923–1988) was an American pianist. Lewenthal made his debut in 1948 with Dimitri Mitropoulos and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The occasion marked the first time a soloist had been invited to play Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 under Mitropoulos's direction—that being a work which the conductor was famous for playing himself. The success of this performance was followed a few weeks later by Lewenthal's New York recital debut. These events launched his North American career, which flourished until it came to a sudden halt in 1953; while walking through New York's Central Park, Lewenthal was attacked by a gang of hoodlums and suffered broken bones in his hands and arms. Although he did recover and return to performing, with a particular focus on the works of lesser-known Romantic composers, his career never quite lived up to the promise of his debut.
Typed letter signed from the important Brazilian composer to American pianist Raymond Lewenthal. July 12, 1950; 1 p. Translated from the Portuguese: "Dear Mr. Lewenthal:
Only today have I been able to respond to your letter of May 11, due to being absent from Rio, on an artistic tour through the various States of Brazil. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of 'Rudepoema' to send you, but I advise you to write directly to my publisher in Paris, Maison Max-Eschig, Rue de Rome 48, France, who can send you a copy. I take this opportunity to suggest that you seek to obtain this song through the Associated Music Publishers in New York, or from the Villa-Lobos Music Corporation, 1585 Broadway, New York. With my apologies that I cannot help you, I send you my high esteem and distinct consideration. H. Villa-Lobos." On fragile orange airmail paper with some edge tears and losses; overall very good. 8.5 x 12.5 inches (22 x 31 cm).
Rudepoêma ("Savage Poem") was written in Rio de Janeiro from 1921 to 1926 and is the largest and most challenging work Villa-Lobos wrote for the solo piano. The score's dedicatee, Arthur Rubinstein, explained, "The 'Rude' of the title did not have the English meaning. In Brazil it meant 'savage'. When I asked him if he considered me a savage pianist, he said excitedly, 'We are both savage! We don't care much for pedantic detail. I compose and you play, off the heart, making the music live, and this is what I hope I expressed in this work.'"