H. Villa-Lobos. Collection of 12 typed letters and a photograph, signed, to the conductor Werner Janssen, 1944-1958

Heitor Villa-Lobos

Collection of 12 typed letters signed ("Villa-Lobos"; "H. Villa-Lobos"), in French and English, to the conductor Werner Janssen

praising his correspondent in glowing terms for his appreciation of and engagement with his music, discussing a number of his works, including the Missa S. Sebastião, Bachianas brasileiras no.11, Chôros no.4, and Chôros no.7, mentioning one of his operations, the Orchestra Sinfonica Brasileira, his travels and concerts ("Les concerts aux Etats Unis ont marché magnifiquement..."), discussing his plans for recordings of his music, including two movements from the Bachianas brasileiras no.2, touching on other recordings by Ansermet and Efrem Kurtz, as well as other matters  

...On the eve of my departure from Los Angeles, I want to state, very specially to you, my deepest felt gratitude for everything you have done in [sic] behalf of my music and of my coming to your beautiful Country.

  Words, as you know, could not begin to express what really is in my heart towards a man who so conspicuously has tried to befriend my country and its art, particularly when such an effort was proven a hard one...

12 pages, various sizes, some letters on printed stationery of the composer and on that of the New York Hotel New Weston, the letters dated Rio de Janeiro, New York, Los Angeles, 1944-1955, fraying and small tears to edges of four letters

together with:

a photographic portrait of the composer signed and inscribed to the conductor Werner Janssen ("A mon très cher ami Werner Janssen Souvenir de Villa-Lobos"), 24 x 19cm, New York, 4 December 1958, creasing to corners;

and an autograph letter signed to Werner Janssen by Villa-Lobos's wife Arminda Neves d'Almeida ("Mrs Villa-Lobos"), 2 pages, large 8vo, New York, 19 August 1950

A warm and heartfelt series of letters to the distinguished American conductor, and film-score composer, Werner Janssen (1899-1990).