The Correspondence of Camille Saint-Sans and Gabriel Faur

This English edition of Jean-Michel Nectouxs collection of the complete correspondence of Saint-Sans and Faur features some 130 letters spanning the period from 1862 to 1920. Immensely significant to the study of French music, these letters throw light upon one of the longest-surviving friendships between two composers in the history of music. They also contain frank exchanges of views on such topics as the music of Wagner, Berlioz, Debussy, Franck and others; the state of musical education in France; and other important artistic figures of fin de sicle Paris including Puvis de Chavannes, Rodin and Fremiet. Barrie Joness skilful translation of this important body of correspondence captures the often playful, casual, but always stimulating language of both composers. These letters are frequently the sole source for dating certain compositions or discovering projects that were started but then abandoned. They constitute a primary source for appreciation of Saint-Sanss and Faurs compositions, opinions and working practices.