Arriola, Pepito. (1896-1954)

Signed Postcard

A signed photograph postcard of the Spanish child prodigy pianist, later to become a successful violinist. Arriola has signed across the right of his image as a rather sulky-looking teenage boy. Undated. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.7 x 13.8 cm).

In 1910, Etude magazine published "The story of Pepito Arriola told by himself," which included such gems as: "Musical theory bores me now, almost as much as my first technical studies did. Richard Strauss, the great German composer, has very kindly offered to teach me. I like him very much and he is so kind, but his thundering musical effects sometimes seems very noisy to me. I know many of the rules of harmony but they are very uncomfortable and disagreeable to me... Putting down the notes upon paper is so tiresome. Why can’t one think the musical thoughts and have them preserved without the tedious work of writing them out! Sometimes before I can get them on paper they are gone—no one knows where, and the worst of all is that they never come back. It is far greater fun to play the piano, or play football or go rowing." (13493)


Signed Photograph
Classical Music