Description:

SERGEI PROKOFIEFF
(1891-1953) Russian composer of Peter and the Wolf, music for the Sergei Eisenstein films Alexander Nevsky and Ivan the Terrible, and numerous operas, ballets and concertos. A.D.S. 1p. 8vo., [Aug. 8, n.y.], the composer pens in French haste: "Diaghilev Savoy Hotel London Position very difficult. Please telegraph funds immediately. Prokofieff". Beneath Prorkofieff's signature appears a penciled docket in Russian: "not received?". Prokofieff was first introduced to Sergei Diaghilev in 1914 while on a vacation trip to Europe following his graduation from the Conservatory. At this meeting, the young composer performed some selections from his recent works for the great impresario. Diaghilev immediately decided that the young composer should create a new composition featuring Nijinsky for his world premiere before the Ballets Russes audiences. The next ballet that Prokofieff composed for Diaghilev was The Buffoon, completed in 1921. During the early years that Prokofieff composed for Diaghilev, the composer had difficulty leaving Russia because of his draft status, and a number of famous telegrams were sent back and forth between Prokofieff in Russia and Diaghilev in Europe. It is believed that this telegram is from that series of communiqués. In all, Prokofieff composed four ballets for Diaghilev's famous company, the last being The Prodigal Son, premiered on May 21, 1929. Original messages between Prokofieff and Diaghilev are rarely encountered, especially concerning the composer's desperation for money. Fine.

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June 4, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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