Item #27120 Autograph letter signed "Milhaud" to an unidentified male correspondent. Darius MILHAUD.

Autograph letter signed "Milhaud" to an unidentified male correspondent

2 pp. Oblong octavo (ca. 103 x 138 mm.). Dated September 4 [?1934]. On cardstock with "L'Enclos Aix-en-Provence Téléphone 99" printed at upper left corner. In French (with translation).

Milhaud writes about an upcoming performance of the Symphonic Suite from his opera Maximilien, probably at the Venice Biennale. He regrets that his correspondent did not order material for it from Universal, but is nonetheless very happy that "in spite of so many difficulties everything is arranged." He includes information about the suite within quotation marks.

"... Because I can do nothing without the material, I have set my departure for Friday, and will be in Venice on Saturday. Here is some information about the suite: 'This symphonic suite comprises the dramatic interludes and the Overture from the opera Maximilien... premiered at the Paris Opéra in 1932. The Suite, performed for the first time in Italy, at the Venice Biennale, comprises 4 interludes (the last of which is a funeral song) and a Finale'... "

With several autograph corrections.

Slightly worn and soiled.

The performance to which Milhaud is most probably referring took place on September 11, 1934 at the Teatro La Fenice as part of the Venice Biennale. The program included the Italian premiere of the Symphonic Suite from Maximilien and other pieces by Berg, Stravinsky, Pizzetti, and Lambert. With the exception of the Berg, each composer conducted his own work.

"[Milhaud] was associated with the avant garde of the 1920s, whose abundant production reflects all musical genres. A pioneer in the use of percussion, polytonality, jazz and aleatory techniques, his music allies lyricism with often complex harmonies. Though his sources of inspiration were many and varied, his music has compelling stylistic unity." Jeremy Drake in Grove Music Online.

Item #27120

Price: $600.00  other currencies

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