Schmitt, Florent. (1870–1858)
Autograph Letter
Autograph letter from the influential French composer, pianist and critic, addressed to the music critic Gavy Bélédin of the Nantes journal "Le Phare." 2 pp. 19. VIII [ny]. Translated in part: I never had the intention of responding negatively to your kind proposition - even less so, to never reply at all. But I was awaiting an occasion. One writes everything about music - and all the useless things! - and on the one thing in the world, the only perhaps, which by definition refuses all literature. Will get to it one day. For the moment it is hot, the sky is blue...If you would like the program of the concert of M. Villa who will sing my songs, I will send it to you..." Biblioteque Municipale Nantes stamp upper right, deaccessioned by them and sold at auction. Fine."Throughout his life, Schmitt was valued for his independent spirit and refusal to be identified with any school or group....Schmitt was considered a pioneer during his lifetime, rejected by some and embraced by others for a style that influenced and helped prepare for later innovations by Stravinsky, Ravel, Honegger and Roussel." After winning he 1900 Prix de Rome and spending a period in Italy, "he indulged his passion for travel, undertaking trips to Russia and North Africa, and in the autumn of 1903 accepting a French government mission to visit Greece and Turkey. Travel represented to him a symbol of freedom and a release from intellectual and social boundaries. Some of the works he composed during this time reflect these experiences: the piano duets, Feuillets de voyage and Reflets d'Allemagne (eight waltzes inspired by German and Austrian towns), the orchestral suite Musiques en plein air and the symphonic poem Sélamik (inspired by Islam and conceived for military band)." (Jann Pasler, Grove Online) (12530)
Autograph Letter Classical Music