Description: One page autographed letter signed by the legendary pianist and pupil of Frederic Chopin to his publisher Henry Heugel asking if he can take the four hand piano reduction of his op. 51 Allegro Symphonique to another publisher September 12, 1897. The letter bears the publisher’s stamp “H, Archive Menestrel” which was sold off before they were declared insolvent in 2014. We offer with an engraving of the pianist with a short biography from “L’illustration, Journal Universel” May 7, 1859.Mathias writes in part:My dear editor My Allegro Symphonique arranged for two pianists which is with you (funded by Hartmann) and I come and ask if you would authorize me to publish this arrangement with one of your colleagues. A thousand respects and a hurry….Paris music publisher Georges Hartmann published the original concert version of the Allegro Symphonique op. 51 in 1870. The work was listed in several printed publications prior to Heugel’s publication of the four hand score as a moderately difficult work for pianists. Heugel finally published the version for 4 hands, two pianos in 1899. A copy is extant in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris. Novello announced in “The Musical Times” on June 1, 1899 a version of the work for two pianos in the advertisements. In Louis Diemer’s examination notes from June 14, 1894, Alfred Cortot played the work successfully at his examination at the Paris Conservatoire.Mathias (1826-1910) was a bona fide wunderkind. He began his study at the Paris Conservatoire in 1838. His chief instructor was Friedrich Kalkbrenner, but he also studied with August Barbereau, François Bazin, Fromental Halevy and Augustin Savard. According to Mathias himself in an article abut Chopin printed in Etude Magazine in September, 1912, he did not meet Chopin until he was 14 in 1840. At the time he played a Kalkbrenner piece for the Master and was accepted. Interestingly, Chopin at first gave him some pieces by Moscheles to work on. The slightly older Clara Schumann met him whilst in Paris shortly thereafter and wrote to her father, “Yesterday I visited a Mr. Mathias, whose son is a second Liszt (twelve years old, I believe) in terms of genius. You should hear this child, an immense talent, a pupil of Chopin…...” Depending upon who one reads, he spent a varying number of years with the composer, however, most determine it was five years. Chopin described him as having a “good head” to George Sand. Mathias taught at the Conservatoire from 1862 to his retirement in 1893. A familiar figure on the concert stage in Paris and throughout Europe, he was highly regarded for his precise and delicate performances in similar fashion to his teacher. Interestingly, as a personal favor, he performed as Jenny Lind’s accompanist in a concert in Paris and also was the first pianist in the premiere of Rossini’s “Petite Messe Solennelle” in a soiree at the composer’s apartment with Rossini turning the pages for him and prompting the singers at the same time.As a teacher, he taught numerous important pianists and composers of the next generation: Teresa Carreño, Paul Dukas, Camille Erlanger, James Huneker, Henri O’Kelli, Isidor Philipp, Raoul Pugno, Alfonson Reynando, Erik Satie, Ernest Schelling and Jose Tregó are some of the best known.Mathias who was also a composer including a large number of solo piano works and two concertos is one of the best links to Chopin, the teacher and man. He wrote significantly about his time with the master, describing him down to his black buttons on his frock coat. He also discussed his method of teaching and musical personality which is well documented. Both Mathias and Karol Mikuli are the best known of Chopin’s pianist pupils. (With perhaps the addition of Pauline Viardot who was more of a family friend.)We have not seen a Mathias letter offered for some time, the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris has a large holding in their archives.Scarce! Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc.Music Antiquarian and AppraiserNew York, New YorkAll items guaranteed authentic
Price: 900 USD
Location: New York, New York
End Time: 2024-12-13T16:02:11.000Z
Shipping Cost: 9 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Industry: Music
Signed: Yes
Autograph Authentication: Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc.
Original/Reproduction: Original
Country/Region of Manufacture: France
