Beschreibung:

BERNARD VAN DIEREN. (1887 - 1936). / HEINRICH HEINE. (1797 - 1856). AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT, 'DER ASRA', 1927. Presentation copy, inscribed by Bernard Van Dieren to Sacheverell Sitwell, Oxford University Press, London; with a related Autograph letter from the composer to Sacheverell Sitwell. 1927. Autograph Manuscript, tall 4to., (303 x 355mm), 3pp., written on both sides of two leaves, and to single side of third leaf, within original illustrated brown paper wrappers, lettered in mauve to front, a printed dedication to Osbert and Sacheverell Sitwell above the title on first page, and inscribed by Bernard Van Dieren to Sacheverell Sitwell in black ink, r.h. of the dedication, 'Semper idem' / 1917-1927! / B. Van Dieran!', contained within a green morocco folder, gilt lettered to front, with four opening flaps and green silk lining, English and French translations by M.D. Calvocoressi, lyrics in German, English and French. Catalogue Note: Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) was a German poet, writer and literary critic. Heine's early poetry was set to music by composers such as Robert Schumann and Franz Schubert. His poem 'Der Asra' appeared in his third volume of poems, 'Romanzero', Hoffman and Cape, Hamburg, 1851; with a loosely inserted Autograph Letter from the composer to Sacheverell Sitwell, 1pp., written in the composer's neat hand to one side of a single leaf in black ink, 16 lines, blue printed address, 35A, St. George's Road, West Hampstead, N.W. 6 top r.h., dated '29th August 1927!!', with an additional manuscript date and note beneath in black ink, possibly in Sacheverell's hand, '12th May 1981!! (S.S. / (+ by years!!)'; . . . 'My dear Sacheverell Sitwell, / It has taken me ten years before my slight tribute to you and your brother has within the narrow / limits of my very modest fame, become a relatively / pathetic one. / But since it has, I should be unhappy/ to think you were ignorant of the almost pathetic / past. Were it only because it may remind you / of much affectionate appreciation, that remained steadily alive through these interesting years. / My inscription is as sincerely conceived as / it would be to-day, and as much-if-not-more- / an act of deep regard for your talents, now, as / it was then. Whatever your opinion of the / piece, you could not question the feelings that / prompted its dedication. / Every friendly thought and good wish / for Osbert and yourself from / yours ever Bernard Van Deisen'. Bernard Van Dieren was a Dutch composer, critic, and author, much of whose working life was spent in England. He was something of a mysterious and enigmatic figure, it is thought in lVan Diesen became addicted to morphine after suffering from ill health for most of his life. When his illness made it difficult for him to work, Van Diesen relied on financial support from admirers and friends, including Osbert and Sacheverell Sitwell, Jacob Epstein Augustus John Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji, Philip Heseltine (the composer Peter Warlock) and Cecil Gray. Many of his works have since been lost or are rarely performed. Provenance: The Sitwell Family Library, Weston Hall.