GOUNOD (Charles). Paris, 1818–1893. French composer. Winner - Lot 205

GOUNOD (Charles). Paris, 1818–1893. French composer. Winner of the First Grand Prix de Rome in 1839. Member of the Institut. IMPORTANT AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT BY CHARLES GOUNOD, CONTAINING HIS ASSESSMENTS OF THE CANDIDATES FOR THE 1871 GRAND PRIX DE ROME IN MUSICAL COMPOSITION. No place, no date [Paris, October 1871]. 1 large full-page sheet, handwritten in pencil, divided into several columns and containing observations on five candidates. A PRECIOUS DOCUMENT ATTESTING TO GOUNOD’S ROLE AS A MEMBER OF THE JURY FOR THE GRAND PRIX DE ROME. The composer offers a particularly harsh assessment of the five competitors who composed a cantata on the prescribed subject of Joan of Arc. His assessments, organized by scene and by candidate, reveal his high standards regarding inspiration, dramatic expression, and musical composition. He notes in particular: “The first part is better than the rest: a few rather elegant passages.” Regarding another candidate: “No ideas—never will have any—no emotion—lacks any substance, even at the end; not a single second of enthusiasm: he’s a real ice cube!” ” He further laments: “No creativity in any of this! Wrong ideas; poverty of expression.” His conclusion is final: “Candidates No. 3 and 4 are far inferior to Nos. 1 and 2. I don’t know what made them think of making music. Given the current state of the dramatic arts, this competition offers very little hope. Effects are sought in the voice, in the shouting, not in form or expression.” A REMARKABLE ACCOUNT OF GOUNOD’S AESTHETIC VIEWS AND HIS HIGH STANDARDS FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF COMPOSERS. Enclosed are two documents directly related to this competition: 1. Official letter addressed to Charles Gounod, on letterhead from the Ministry of Letters, Sciences, and Fine Arts, General Directorate of Theaters. Palais du Louvre, October 19, 1871. 1 page, quarto size, signed by the Director of Fine Arts, Charles Blanc. It informs the composer of his appointment as a member of the jury tasked with judging the preliminary and final rounds of the Grand Prix de Rome for musical composition. The letter specifies that the jury is to meet at the Conservatory on October 30 at noon. 2. Joan of Arc. Cantata. [Paris, 1871]. Printed text of the cantata assigned to the competitors, with lyrics by P.-J. Barbier. A folded printed sheet in quarto format, depicting four scenes and the characters of Jacques d’Arc, Joan of Arc, and Raymond. The reverse side of the document bears handwritten annotations regarding the competition, including the names of the five contestants. A PARTICULARLY INTERESTING COLLECTION COMPRISING GOUNOD’S APPOINTMENT DOCUMENT TO THE JURY, THE TEXT ASSIGNED TO THE CANDIDATES, AND THE COMPOSER’S HANDWRITTEN COMMENTS ON THE WORKS PRESENTED. A few creases and slight signs of handling.

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