SAINT-SAENS, Camille (1835-1921). French Composer.
Autograph letter signed ("C. Saint-Saëns") to André Wormser [French banker and romantic composer (1851-1926)],
How to appropriately announce a guest, according to Saint-Saëns
Saint-Saëns writes humorously to his friend André Wormser, poking fun at the formality that often went hand-in-hand with nineteenth century social invitations. He opens with the notion that Wormser needs a formal invitation to his (Saint-Saëns’) house, and how best to do this with suitable ceremony and solemnity. He writes down a musical quotation (C Major chord), suggesting that his being flanked by three trombones playing that chord might do the trick(!). He then writes down a further musical notation (that of three clefs), and finds writing it that way even more satisfying (“J’arriverai à un resultat satisfaisant en les écrivant de cette façon”) and “plus solennel encore” (trans: “even more solemn”). He signs off by telling Wormser that, in fact, he can come whenever he wants, and that he is always welcome (“Enfin venez quand vous voulez, le lundi soir et les autres jours, vous serez toujours le bien venu”) illustrating the lighthearted nature of his earlier remarks.
Minor tape residue/marking, otherwise near fine.