Autograph letter signed ("Charles"), in all likelihood to fellow-conductor Pierre Monteux, ca. 1950-60
1 page. Quarto. Written "Dans le train à Buffalo Station." No year. In black ink. On letterhead with "Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch, Music Director" printed at head. In French (with translation).
Munch addresses Monteux as "Cher grand Ami," sending regrets that he will not be available to welcome him to Boston but saying "I must surrender to you 'my apartments.' He hopes that Monteux will spend "an agreeable time with these good Bostonians," stating that "The Orchestra is in very good shape, and Burgin has rehearsed what you would want." He would have been very happy to see Monteux, "if only to talk to you about our dear friend Jacques. I was the only 'musician' who went to the place where the catastrophe happened." He asks that Monteux ask Louis, "who is next to you," to play "Plaisir d'Amour" for him. "He is extraordinary at interpreting this piece!"
Slightly creased at folds.
A fine association item linking two of the most important conductors of the 20th century.
"Münch toured widely as a conductor in Europe ... and in 1946 made his American début with the Boston SO and other orchestras. In 1949 he succeeded Koussevitzky as chief conductor of the Boston orchestra and remained until 1962 ... He was welcomed in Boston for the spontaneity he brought to his performances, and under his direction the Boston SO maintained a high standard of brilliance and discipline that reflected his own dynamic personality." Martin Cooper in Grove Music Online
Monteux, an American conductor of French birth, premiered Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes performances of Petrushka, The Rite of Spring, The Nightingale, Daphnis et Chloé, and Jeux between 1911 and 1914. "Each was an outstanding contribution to 20th-century music and dance, and brought Monteux into close contact with Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky and other composers, giving him the basis of his lifelong support and understanding of their music in particular, as well as of French music in general." Martin Cooper, José A. Bowen, and Charles Barber in Grove Music Online.
Item #39032
Price: $150.00 other currencies