Lot 8
- 8
Berlioz, Hector
Estimate
2,000 - 2,500 GBP
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Description
- Berlioz, Hector
- Autograph draft of a review of his own music from La Damnation de Faust, written for use by the critic Jules Janin, 21 April 1849
- paper
a remarkable exposition, written in the third person, giving an insight into Berlioz's attitude to his own music, comparing the 'Danse des Sylphes' with the 'Queen Mab Scherzo' from Roméo et Juliette, giving details of the history of the work, praising the music and the execution at the Paris Conservatoire
…on a executé il y a huit jours au concert de conservatoire deux scènes de Faust de Berlioz qui ont reçu le plus chaleureux accueil de ce public difficile et peu favourable en general aux compositeurs vivants. La scène des Sylphes surtout a été couverte d’applaudissemens. Il est remarquable que Berlioz n’ait en recourse dans ce charmant morceau qu’aux sonorités les plus faibles de l’orchestre et des voix…Quant à la marche Hongroise c’est au contraire le fracas guerrier le plus entrainant…
2 pages, oblong 8vo (c.12 x 21cms), no place, 21 April 1849; irregularly trimmed at left-hand edges
…on a executé il y a huit jours au concert de conservatoire deux scènes de Faust de Berlioz qui ont reçu le plus chaleureux accueil de ce public difficile et peu favourable en general aux compositeurs vivants. La scène des Sylphes surtout a été couverte d’applaudissemens. Il est remarquable que Berlioz n’ait en recourse dans ce charmant morceau qu’aux sonorités les plus faibles de l’orchestre et des voix…Quant à la marche Hongroise c’est au contraire le fracas guerrier le plus entrainant…
2 pages, oblong 8vo (c.12 x 21cms), no place, 21 April 1849; irregularly trimmed at left-hand edges
Literature
Correspondance générale, no.1256 (iii, 621-622)
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Berlioz was a great writer and critic as well as a composer. This draft shows the composer presenting himself to the world and his public in an unusual but very pointed way. He evidently had some difficulties in achieving this: the manuscript is full of deletions and revisions, some of which are visible beneath the crossings out.