ROUSSEL (Albert). - Lot 196

ROUSSEL (Albert). Born in Tourcoing. 1869-1937. French composer. Autograph manuscript entitled "Notes sur la IVe Symphonie en la majeur", written partly by Albert Roussel, partly by another hand, edited for publication. S.l.n.d. 1 p. 1/2 in-4. INTERESTING MANUSCRIPT IN WHICH ROUSSEL DELIVERS DETAILS ON THE COMPOSITION AND GENESIS OF HIS 4th SYMPHONYDraft for an article, perhaps from the Courrier musical: ...The 4th Symphony was written from the end of August to December 1934, exactly four years after the third, which Serge Koussevitzki had commissioned from the composer for the 50th anniversary of the Boston Orchestra. It reflects the same tendencies: classical construction, without any kind of extra-musical program, fairly great freedom in the interpretation of the "form", fidelity to the tonal system, not excluding the use of polytonality, predominance of the contraquartist element, relatively short duration. This symphony (Op. 53) comprises 4 parts. Preceded by a seventeen-bar slow prelude, the Allegro con brio is based on two contrasting ideas, the first of which [in a different hand] is the only one to reappear in the development; the second, of a calmer, more expressive character, is first introduced by the violin, and then re-exposed by the first oboe at the end of this part. The Lento molto, in ternary form, leads in its middle section to a grand crescendo, beginning with a phrase from the cellos, continued by the flute and violins, and gradually joined by all the elements of the orchestra. The initial theme is then taken up by the solo clarinet, and the flute concludes in a soothing atmosphere, accompanied by the first horn and the pianissimo quartet.LAllegro Scherzando offers no particularity other than the intervention of a third idea, which, on two different occasions, appears accompanied by the second, - the latter always exposed by the brass. [in Roussel's hand] The finale, Allegro molto, takes the form of a Rondo, whose refrain is first presented by the solo oboe over the arpeggios of the clarinets and the pizzicati of the strings. Its last complete presentation, before the symphony's conclusion, takes place in an explosion of the whole orchestra and in a completely changed rhythm. The score is written for full orchestra, with a single harp. It is dedicated to Albert Wolff, director of the Concerts Pasdeloup...