Lot
(Autograph Letter File.) Grainger, Percy Aldridge. Collection of letters to Dr. Harry Seitz of Detroit, Michigan, 1937-1958. 90 Autograph Letters Signed, 2 Typed Letters Signed, 9 Autograph Postcards Signed.
A musical colleague of Percy Grainger, Dr. Seitz became, as these letters reflect, a close personal friend. Dr. Seitz, cellist, conductor, choral music teacher & director of the Chorus of the Central High School of Detroit, worked with Grainger on the premiere of several of Grainger's newly scored choral compositions, performed by the chorus of the Central High School of Detroit, conducted by Dr. Seitz. Grainger was often a guest in Dr. Seitz's Detroit home when perfroming with the Detroit Symphony & other Detroit area musical organizations.
More than half of the letters in this collection extend over several 4to pages; 6 include musical notations. The collection encompasses Grainger's & Seitz's professional musical relationship as well as their personal one.
This lot also includes: the printed score for Grainger's "The Immovable Do" inscribed to Harry Seitz & signed by Grainger, "... in memory of the unforgettable 1st performance..." * Grainger, Percy Aldridge. "The Culturizing Possibilities of the Instrumentally Supplemented A Cappella Choir." 1942 offprint. Inscribed to Seitz & signed by Grainger. * Photomechanical reproduction of John Singer Sargent's portrait of Grainger, inscribed to Seitz ("to beloved Harry"), signed & dated, Nov. 14, 1953 by Grainger. * 2 letters from Grainger's wife, Ella.
"During the 1930s Grainger increasingly assumed the role of educator. His growing interest in amateur performances led to a greater involvement with school, college & community ensembles, for which he scored his own music & that of his friends." - The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2001, vol. 10, p. 270.