Beschreibung:

BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869). Autograph letter signed ('H.Berlioz') to Monsieur Bennaci, Paris 24 September 1843, one page, 4to , integral address leaf (to Bennaci as 'Editeur de musique Lyon'), endorsed by the recipient on the first page, 'Repondu le 29e' (a few small nicks in edges, small seal tears). An amiable reply to Bennaci's request conveyed by [Stephen] Heller for prospectuses for 'mon traité d'instrumentation' [ Grand Traité d'instrumentation et d'orchestration modernes , Paris, 1843], 'un ouvrage tres considérable comme vous pouvez le voir dans les notes ci jointes', asking for his list of subscribers. Berlioz takes the opportunity of also mentioning his current work, 'une ouverture brillante et peu difficile intitulée: Ouverture du Carnaval Romain', in case his correspondent wishes to edit it after he has had it performed. The product of almost twenty years' experience as composer, critic and conductor, Berlioz's treatise was intended partly as a manual for those unfamiliar with the basic facts of orchestration such as the range of particular instruments. His overture, Carnaval romain , was completed and published in 1844. Berlioz's Hungarian-born friend Stephen Heller (1813-1888), a gifted pianist and prolific minor composer living in Paris, was a member of the romantic circle of the day, surrounding Berlioz, Chopin and Liszt.