Lot 175
Jules Emile Frederic Massenet (French, 1842-1912). "Larmes Maternelles (Maternal Tears)" original autograph manuscript, October 29th, 1893. 18 separate pages. Signed with title on page 1 and date on page 18. A rare find! An impressive, 18-page autograph musical manuscript of the dramatic scena "Larmes maternalles (Maternal tears)" by the famous French composer Jules Massenet. The unpublished song is either dedicated or written expressly for the great French baritone (or mezzo-soprano) Victor Maurel, as noted by Massenet at the top of page 1 next to his signature. Noted to be played and sung in the style of a funeral march, the song is scored for an 18-instrument orchestra without first or second violins: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones & tuba, timpani, 2 side drums, bass drum and tam-tam, violas, cellos and basses. Size of page (all about the same): 13.9" L x 10.9" W (35.3 cm x 27.7 cm)
This orchestral version of Massenet's overtly operatic Larmes Maternelles is unpublished. It was published for voice and piano under the title "Le Menestrel" in 1893, an included in "20 Melodies" (Mezzo-soprano ou Baryton), Volume IV by Heugel in 1896.
As noted by Massenet, the words of the song are based on the poetry of Netzossoff by Michel Delines, and speak of the love for a fallen soldier, declaring that the only eternal love is that of his mother for him, as all else will forget him after a time. The lyrics begin "War has claimed a victim. I shall note grieve for the hero, nor for his most intimate friend who will not lose sleep over his death. I do not even pity his wife. She will soon get over it
a mother's tear, which time cannot heal, all things pass except for her sorrow
"
Besides the text, there are scores of other words in Massenet's hand as well, mainly tempi markings. Notated in dark brown ink on eighteen staves per page, including composer's 'Avis' (Il n'y a ni premiers ni seconds violins dans l'instrumentation de cette scene"), a few rehearsal numbers added in blue crayon, inscribed by Massenet at the end, "chez mes enfants dimanche 29/oct/93 5' du soir avenue de Villers."
Original manuscripts of this length are rare of any major composer. Massenet had just completed his opera "Werther," and was writing "Thais" at this time. His other works include "Le Cid," "Herodiade," and "Manon." He completed more than 30 operas, and also composed oratorios, ballets, orchestral works, incidental music, piano pieces, songs and other music.
Provenance: private Redwood City, California, USA collection; ex-Sotheby's, London, United Kingdom, May 28th, 2015, lot 256
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#183467
- Condition: Signed with title on page 1 and date on page 18. Some light folding and fraying to edges and corners, as well as yellowing / oxidation around edges. Otherwise, intact and in excellent condition with good preservation of pigments and legible script. Accompanied by protective film and 4 pages of handwritten English translation.
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