Photograph of Sessions seated at the piano, pen in hand, with sheets of manuscript paper before him. Signed and inscribed to fellow composer Joaquín Nin-Culmell
Inscribed in blue ballpoint pen at lower blank margin: "To Joaquin, To celebrate the initial struggles of his high office! Roger" and dated Feb. 12, 1951. Photograph 260 x 209 mm., with "Cal-Pictures Photographic Associates" handstamp in blue ink to verso.
Sessions was an American composer, teacher, and writer on music. "After his death, Andrew Porter wrote of him, ‘For music, he embodied what is finest in American thought, character, and genius. In nine symphonies, in concertos, two operas, and many other works, he gave it utterance. He was one of the country's – and the world's – great men’ (1985)." Andrea Olmstead in Grove Music Online
Cuban-born American composer Nin-Culmell was a student of both Dukas and de Falla; Cortot and Viñes were among his piano teachers. ["He] strove in his works to capture the spirit, rather than the letter, of Spanish folk music, often changing the rhythm, mode or melodic contour of traditional melodies. A number of his works, including the ballet El burlador de Sevilla and the opera La Celestina, draw upon Spanish literature." Carol A. Hess in Grove Music Online
Nin-Culmell taught at Williams Collect from 1940-1950 and then at the University of California, Berkleley, from 1950-1974. Sessions was most probably commenting on Nin-Culmell's new appointment at UC Berkeley in the present inscription.
Item #39025
Price: $350.00 other currencies