62 - COLLIN (Charles-René) (1827–1911). French organist and composer, titular organist of the main organ at Saint-Brieuc Cathedral.

COLLIN (Charles-René) (1827–1911). French organist and composer, titular organist of the main organ at Saint-Brieuc Cathedral. Fragment of an autograph musical manuscript signed “Charles René.” No place or date. 1 page, in-4 format, in black ink, featuring several staves of piano music, with performance instructions and the composer’s autograph signature. An interesting musical fragment titled “Feuillet d’album,” marked “Allegretto” and taken from the work *La Veillée de Décembre*. The page features a musical passage carefully notated in ink, arranged across two staves, with dynamics and articulation markings. The manuscript bears, at the bottom, the autograph inscription: “Excerpt from *La Veillée de Décembre*” It is signed “Charles René” with an elegant initials. This piece serves as direct evidence of Charles-René Collin’s musical work. Unlike a simple autograph letter, it preserves a fragment of musical notation in the composer’s own hand, which makes it particularly valuable to collectors of musical manuscripts. Charles-René Collin, who came from a family of Breton musicians, served as organist at Saint-Brieuc Cathedral for over sixty years. Trained notably by Louis James Alfred Lefébure-Wély, he maintained relationships with several prominent figures of the French organ school, including César Franck, Alexandre Guilmant, and Charles-Marie Widor. A composer deeply rooted in the French and Breton musical traditions, he was also interested in the folk melodies of Brittany, for which he created several arrangements. Condition: Generally good condition. Slightly yellowed paper, with a few minor signs of handling and wear. Musical notation and signature are well preserved.