[ Herman Finck, composer and musical director of the Palace Theatre. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'J. McG.', regarding the Folies Bergère in Paris, music by Delormel, Desormes and Gannes, and a humorous remark by Cuvier.

Author: 
Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor [ RMS Titanic ]
Publication details: 
8 Haycroft Road, Brixton Hill [ London ]. 30 April 1899.
£45.00
SKU: 20654

3pp., 12mo. In poor condition, aged and worn, with the two leaves of the bifolium separated. The letter begins: 'My dear J. McG. | Pardon me, but M. Delormel did not write “The Boulanger” March (“En Revenat de la revue”) nor did he write “Père la Victoire” but I dont say he didn't publish them.' Finck attributes the first to 'M. Desormes (the Conductor of the Folies Bergere Paris up to the time of his death about a year ago)', and the second to 'Louis Ganne who composed “Lorraine” March, also that hackneyed Mazurka the name of which I forget for the moment which goes like this: - | [Finck has written a line of musical score here]'. In a postscript he states that 'The “Star” scintillator also erred thusly in the work that has gone.' The third page carries a humorous remark attributed by Finck to Cuvier, regarding 'the supposed definition of a lobster'. An extremely popular figure in London theatrical and musical circles, Finck was the musical director of the Palace Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. His 'In the Shadows' was one of the last tunes played as RMS Titanic went down.