HONEGGER, Arthur (1892-1955). French composer, member of 'Les Six'.
Autograph Letter Signed to a friend, 1 page 4to, closely-written, [Paris], January 1941. With a translation. A good letter written during the German occupation of Paris discussing his health (a bout of ill-health has left him deaf in one ear), war-time privations, a musical performance and personal matters.

'... Let me tell you that I am prepared to take your offer of food supplies very seriously as there are a lot of things which we have great trouble in getting hold of. - butter, cheese etc. ... let us know what you can get easily and if you can get it to us I shall be very grateful to you.
 'At the Conservatoire they have just put on "Dance of the Dead", which was very well received. - so well that it was done again straight away on the following Sunday with a packed house. I am rivalling Beethoven and Wagner who exclusively share the concert poster. ...'

'He collaborated with [Paul] Claudel again on La danse des morts (1938) in which a combination of narrator, recitative-like writing for semi-chorus, traditional four-part choral music, rhythmically-notated choric speaking and a sharply defined orchestral fabric result in some of his most disciplined and uniformly finest music.' [Grove Music Online].
[No: 23421]