Satie Seen Through His Letters
London: Marion Boyars, 1989. 1st Edition In English. Small quarto, publisher's black cloth, spine stamped in silver, original illustrated dust jacket.
First edition in English of musicologist Ornella Volta’s epistolary biography of Erik Satie, the copy of 20th-century American composer Ned Rorem, inscribed to him by poet, librettist, and essayist J.D. McClatchy. A Satie scholar, Volta devoted decades of her life to researching and writing about his works. Inspired by John Cage, who provides the book’s introduction, the text comprises specimens of the French post-impressionist composer’s correspondence and drawings, accompanied by biographical commentary and critical notes. Translated by Michael Bullock. Illustrated in black-and-white; with a bibliography and index. Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Ned Rorem, hailed as "the world's best composer of art songs," is known for his series of published diaries offering candid insights into his personal life, creative development, friendships and love affairs with prominent cultural figures. He spent a pivotal decade in Paris, starting in 1949, and befriended many influential figures there, including Jean Cocteau, Picasso, Man Ray, Francis Poulenc, and his patron Vicomtesse Marie-Laure de Noailles, among others; French culture and ideas would leave an enduring stamp on his work for the remainder of his long life. (Rorem has said that Satie's Socrate "may be the greatest of all operas.") Inscribed to front endpaper: "for Ned – / who’s written quite a few of his own – / a book to see him through the new year, / with Sandy’s love. 13.i.90." Known to friends as Sandy, McClatchy wrote opera libretti for composers such as William Schuman, Bruce Saylor, Elliot Goldenthal, and Rorem, most notably Our Town, an adaptation of Thornton Wilder's 1938 play. A contemporary review is laid in, with an inscription to Rorem from "Tom," unidentified. Some age-toning to textblock, else fine in unclipped dust jacket. A wonderful presentation-association copy drawing together three compelling figures in 20th-century music. Item #10436
$250.00