Pougin, Arthur, French critic and writer (1834-1921). Autograph letter signed.

Paris, 9. X. 1887.

8vo. 2 pp. on bifolium.

 75,00

Interesting letter to an unnamed friend with information on the composer Claudius Blanc and concerning the financial difficulties of Pougin's journal L'Estafette. Pougin provides a brief biography of Blanc (1854-1900) who had been a student of Jules Massenet and won the 1st price of the Paris Conservatory in 1875 and the Prix de Rome in 1881. Considering these achievements, Pougin has to assert that "of all our Prix de Rome-winners, he is the one who gets the least talked about". He also mentions two of Blanc's compositions that were performed during a concert organized by Pougin, a "Marche Écossaise" and a "Prélude mystique", as well as some publications of his.

In the second part of the letter, Pougin mentions an affair, possibly embezzlement, that brought L'Estafette to the brink of bankruptcy, in which case Pougin would lose 3.000 francs, lamenting: "ce qui n'est pas gai".

On stationery with lithographed letterhead of L'Estafette. Some browning and insignificant tears to the margins.

Art.-Nr.: BN#31148 Schlagwort: