Lot 45
Ravel, Maurice (1875-1937) French composer, pianist and conductor. Autograph letter signed ("Maurice Ravel") followed by three tiny drawings symbolizing the Légion d'Honneur, 3 pages, 8vo, on a letter-card with autograph address pane, Lapras par Lamastre (Ardèche) January 22, 1920. To Roland-Manuel about Ravel's refusal of the order of the Légion d'Honneur. Ravel gives his account of the crossed messages and bad timing of the whole affair, comparing it to a comedy of Calderón. He explains that he had already telegraphed his refusal of the award on Monday morning, only to receive from Jacques [Durand] the official papers, and the information that the whole thing had been got up by the journalist Lucien Garban. Ravel describes his anger and frustration since he had already asked Garban not to offer the award to him, causing him to spoil his work with the orchestra and his sleep the following night, apologizing for the reproachful nature of his replies, but confiding to Roland-Manuel his contempt for the self-congratulatory intrigues of legionnaires like Garban who press for others to join them in order to justify their passion, like addicts to morphine. Ravel acknowledges Roland-Manuel's letters and telegram about the award, explaining that his reply was immediately given, but only sent by telegraph later that afternoon. With deletions and corrections by Ravel.
Ravel had attained a position of eminence among French composers after the death of Débussy in 1918. In 1920 the Republic conferred on him the order of the Légion d'Honneur, and due to Ravel's slowness in responding, news of the nomination was made public. His subsequent refusal of the nomination caused ill feelings all around.
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500.
Sotheby's, London, Dec. 8, 2000, lot 187.
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| Realized $3,375 |
