ANSERMET (Ernest). - Lot 26

ANSERMET (Ernest). Born in Vevey (Valais).1883-1969. Musicologist and conductor. Diaghilev entrusted him with the musical direction of the Ballets Russes, which earned him worldwide renown. In 1922, together with Alban Berg and Webern, he founded the International Society for Contemporary Music in Europe. Co-founder of the Orchestre symphonique de Paris (1928). L.A.S. "Ernest Ansermet" to Mme Albert Roussel [wife of composer Albert Roussel]. Geneva, November 22, 1951. 1 page folio. Stamped envelope with postmark. Ansermet, pleased that he enjoyed the concert, takes... this opportunity to apologize for never having written to you in recent years, although I have often thought of you when conducting the works of your dear husband. I can tell you that their success is growing, and in particular that I had great success last year in New York and Philadelphia (with the orchestra of the latter city) with the Suite in F. I'm off to Boston, where I'll no doubt have the opportunity to perform one or other of these works again...After a career as a naval officer quickly cut short for health reasons, Albert Roussel (1869-1937) took up musical studies rather late in life. He was able to free himself from the influence of Debussy and Vincent d'Indy, his orchestration teacher, and write a highly varied musical oeuvre, while remaining attached to the French tradition.