Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) - photo 1
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) - photo 2
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) - photo 3
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) - photo 4
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) - photo 5
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) - photo 6
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) - photo 7

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

Starting price
£ 100
Auction dateClassic
15.12.2023 11:00UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1109054
Lot 254 | Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Four autograph letters signed (‘C. Saint-Saëns’) to Franz Liszt (‘Maître’), Paris and Toulouse, 9 June 1881 – 18 April 1884 and n.d.
In French, 16 pages, various sizes (171 x 111mm to 213 x 135mm), bifolia. Provenance: Christie's, 5 July 1978, lot 67.

On performances of his works Henry VIII, La Lyre et la Harpe, and Le Rouet d’Omphole, with 2 bars of music from the latter. Saint-Saëns asks for Liszt’s permission to play his Scherzo et marche at an upcoming concert and thanks him for performing Le Rouet d’Omphole: ‘it is one of those things that only you can do …’. He asks Liszt to ensure that the same work is again performed correctly at a concert in Magdeburg, quoting two bars of music which he says are often played too fast (9 June 1881). He recommends the conductor André Messager to play Liszt’s works: ‘I myself saw to his education in this genre and it was well done. He has returned from Brussels full of enthusiasm for Faust.’ He expresses his pleasure upon receiving a copy of Liszt’s 2nd Mephisto waltz, which is dedicated to him. He reports on performances of Liszt’s works in Paris: 'I am waiting impatiently for “du berceau à la tombe” which I have seen announced. Meanwhile I revel in La Valse oubliée which is going to have its début tonight at my house.’ He also reports on performances of works by Massenet, whom he dislikes, writing of the Hérodiade: ‘Strangely enough, between ourselves, I don’t like this Hérodiade very much! Everyone is in love with it, even St. John … Lots of talent and charm, that goes without saying and won’t surprise you, but can you imagine Herod charming! … I am working on Henry VIII …. perhaps my Henry will also be found to oaimiable’ (26 December 1881). He will see Liszt in Zurich, where he will play for him his ‘fantasia for organ “ad nos etc.” and ‘Scherzo et marche’. I shall try to forget that you are there’ (23 June 1882).

Liszt recognised Saint-Saëns’ prodigious talent after Saint-Saëns was made organist of La Madeleine, where he saw him perform: they were friends until Liszt’s death in 1886. In return for Liszt’s patronage, Saint-Saëns worked to promote his works in Paris and ensure their acceptance, as these letters attest.
Place of origin:France
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
09.12.2023 12:00 – 17:00
10.12.2023 12:00 – 17:00
11.12.2023 09:00 – 20:00
12.12.2023 09:00 – 17:00
13.12.2023 09:00 – 17:00
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.