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Phone: 212-860-5541 * Fax: 917-677-8247
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Price: $285.00 |
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MOUNTING MARKS TO LEFT, ELSE MINT! |
FRANCIS PLANTÉ - PIANIST |
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Rare autographed letter by the legendary piano virtuoso to a certain Doctor Liétard on a postcard, 1902. The postcard features two photographs of the pianist as well as a photograph of his home, Mont-de-Marsan. Planté (1839-1934) studied at the Conservatoire with Marmontel père and was close friends with Franz Liszt, Anton Rubinstein and Sigismond Thalberg, who helped shape his technique. After winning first prize at the Conservatoire, Planté embarked on a brilliant solo and chamber careers, playing with distinction in the world of the super-virtuosi. In the 1850’s, he went back to the Conservatoire to study harmony with Bazin. He disappeared into the Pyrenees after 1855, returning in 1872 and re-embarking on his solo career. At this point, he was considered to be the finest technician in France and shared the title of top pianist with Saint-Säens. Planté made a grande tour of Europe in 1878, creating a great fervor, one which he maintained until 1900. He was brought out of retirement for a concert during the First World War. Interestingly, Plante did not record until 1928; (he agreed to do so at his country estate.) these records made him one of the earliest born pianists to leave examples of his art. The recordings are spectacular and reminiscent of a pianist of much younger years. They include works by Chopin, Schumann, Weber, Mendelssohn and two pieces he arranged one by Gluck and the other Boccherini. Arthur Rubinstein heard the pianist play the Chopin Tarantelle at the age of 81 and was amazed by his dexterity and youthfulness at the keyboard. A rare souvenir of one of the truly great pianists of the 19th and early 20th Century! |
