BERLIOZ (Hector). - Lot 240

BERLIOZ (Hector). Autograph letter signed to his mother Joséphine Berlioz, dated Paris, May 10, 1829, 6 p. in-4. Long letter, evoking Lesueur, Cherubini, Rossini and Auber. Knowing that his mother did not approve of his vocation, Berlioz endeavors to show her that he is well on his way in the Parisian musical world, frequenting illustrious composers. He spoke at length of his master and friend Lesueur, who had just suffered a failure: ... this excellent man belongs to the century of Louis 14, and so does his music. He nevertheless wanted to have two of his compositions performed at one of the Conservatoire's superb concerts; I was quite sure in advance what would happen; his two pieces, placed next to Beethoven and Weber, were a complete failure. " Cherubini, on the other hand, who with him is superintendent of the king's music, twice had fragmens of his great works performed at these concerts, and they met with rapturous success; almost as much applause as Beethoven; however, although he is obviously the greatest composer existing in France at the moment, he was not included in the royal favor. (...) Rossini himself, who is the fashionable man, was bludgeoned [sic] in these concerts... He goes on to talk about his work as music editor for Le Correspondant, among others. He mentions his project for the Institut competition in July, for which he is going to ask Cherubini ...if he still holds a grudge against me, and if he still intends to oppose me this year... Correspondance générale, ed. by P. Citron, t. I, letter 125, p. 251. Three words have been cut out, leaving gaps.