736

Alexander Borodin

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Alexander Borodin

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Auction Date:2015 Apr 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Important Russian composer (1833–1877) dedicated to producing a specifically Russian kind of art music. ALS in French, signed “A. Borodin,” eight pages on two sets of adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8.25, June 29, 1884. A lengthy letter written from St. Petersburg, discussing several musical topics, in part (translated): “The first name I’d mention to you is Alexander Glazunov. He has an altogether exceptional talent. Having been a student since the age of 15, he already had then all the conservatory skills; he was a master of harmony, counterpointal forms, instrumentation, musical literature. One abiding memory I have is that he knew by heart all the remarkable works of the great masters and modern composers and made the most detailed analyses. Messrs Balakirev and Rimsky-Korsakov—when he was a student—saw that there was nothing left for them to teach him—simply offered their best wishes as if they were his colleagues.”

He goes on to discuss other composers in similar detail, including Nicolas Stcherbatcheff, Nicolas Ladigenski, and Anatoly Liadov. He draws his correspondent’s attention to the Liadov’s Paraphrases, noting that it was written with “Mr. Cui, Rimsky-Korsakov and your humble servant. You probably know this bizarre little work? Liszt likes it a lot and wrote a number for the second edition.”

Borodin then turns his attention to his own music, in part: “Regarding the concerts of Russian music that you propose at Liege, we would be most obliged to you and, naturally, we’d send you the score and orchestra parts. As for my 2nd Symphony (in B minor) I’d like to make a small observation. The score and the parts are still unedited and I’d only be able to send you a manuscript score and parts… Wouldn’t you find it more prudent to begin with my 1st Symphony in E flat major, which has a more European feel? It’s easier to understand, and already has a certain reputation in Germany…It has had a lot of public success. F. Liszt has spoken about it a lot, and positively. The score and orchestral parts are already in print. It seems to me that you risk less by staging a premiere of my Symphony in E flat major in Liege, where the public only know me from The Steppenskizze.” Tiny edge separations to horizontal mailing fold, light toning, and a bit of show-through from writing to opposing sides, otherwise fine condition. A fantastic, rare letter highlighting the expanding influence of Russian music throughout the rest of Europe.