106 - DESARZENS (Victor). Born in Château-d'OEx (Switzerland). 1908–1986. Swiss conductor and violinist. Founder of the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra.

DESARZENS (Victor). Born in Château-d'OEx (Switzerland). 1908–1986. Swiss conductor and violinist. Founder of the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED “Victor Desarzens” to “My dear friend.” Aran (Vaud), July 20, 1958. 1 page, in-4. An interesting letter discussing Claude Debussy and Maurice Maeterlinck. Victor Desarzens thanks his correspondent for entrusting him with a document, which he is returning after examining it, and expresses his deep gratitude. “I am returning the precious document that you were extremely kind to make available to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ” He then asks for another favor and requests a copy of a sentence appearing in a postscript by Debussy regarding Maeterlinck: “It seems that Maeterlinck does not like music, etc.” He concludes by warmly thanking his correspondent and adds in a final postscript: “Please allow me to offer you, for your library, the small volume enclosed herewith, which you may not be familiar with.” This is a curious testament to Victor Desarzens’ interest in Debussy’s correspondence and in the relationship between the composer and Maurice Maeterlinck, author of the play *Pelléas et Mélisande*, from which Debussy drew inspiration for his famous opera. In 1942, Victor Desarzens founded the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, which he conducted for several decades. An advocate for the contemporary repertoire, he maintained particularly close ties with the composer Frank Martin. The letter shows signs of creasing.