Quilter, Roger. (1877–1953). Autograph letter signed. Autograph letter signed by the British composer to "Mr. Byng". Dated London, April 23, 1925. 1 p. In full: "Dear Mr. Byng / I must just send you a line to tell you how delighted I that you are going to be in the Pavilion show here, and send you my best congratulations. I was so taken with your work at Manchester, and was singing your praises there. I am very sorry you have not been well & hope you will soon recover. Wishing you every success sincerely yours Roger Quilter." 7 x 4.5 inches ( 17.8 x 11.4 cm). Remnants of mounting to verso; horizontal fold; slightly foxed; else in very good condition.
Quilter was "best known for his songs. Despite his German training, his style was indisputably English; once it had fully emerged, by about 1905, it did not develop and his best songs were composed over the following 20 years. His wistful lyricism was characterized by chromatic harmonies and highly vocal melodic lines and his favoured poets were Shakespeare, Herrick, and Shelley, whose intricacies of language exactly matched his own sensibilities. His songs rise well above the banality of the Edwardian ballad from which they had emerged, and they continue to be an important staple of the English artsong repertory" (Valerie Langfield in Grove Music Online). The identity of the recipient, "Mr. Byng," remains obscure.
Quilter, Roger. (1877–1953). Autograph letter signed. Autograph letter signed by the British composer to "Mr. Byng". Dated London, April 23, 1925. 1 p. In full: "Dear Mr. Byng / I must just send you a line to tell you how delighted I that you are going to be in the Pavilion show here, and send you my best congratulations. I was so taken with your work at Manchester, and was singing your praises there. I am very sorry you have not been well & hope you will soon recover. Wishing you every success sincerely yours Roger Quilter." 7 x 4.5 inches ( 17.8 x 11.4 cm). Remnants of mounting to verso; horizontal fold; slightly foxed; else in very good condition.
Quilter was "best known for his songs. Despite his German training, his style was indisputably English; once it had fully emerged, by about 1905, it did not develop and his best songs were composed over the following 20 years. His wistful lyricism was characterized by chromatic harmonies and highly vocal melodic lines and his favoured poets were Shakespeare, Herrick, and Shelley, whose intricacies of language exactly matched his own sensibilities. His songs rise well above the banality of the Edwardian ballad from which they had emerged, and they continue to be an important staple of the English artsong repertory" (Valerie Langfield in Grove Music Online). The identity of the recipient, "Mr. Byng," remains obscure.