216 - HERSCHER-CLÉMENT (Jeanne) (1878–1941)

HERSCHER-CLÉMENT (Jeanne) (1878–1941) French composer and pianist. Autograph letter signed “J. Herscher Clément,” addressed to music critic Pierre Leroi. Paris, undated [circa 1923]. 2 pp., large oblong 8vo, in black ink. An interesting letter in which the composer presents several of her works and provides details intended for a music review. In particular, she mentions her *Images*, three poems for voice and orchestra, composed to prose texts by Baroness Frachon and intended to be performed by the singer Louise Mazzoli. She notes that these melodies are published by Sénart: “Regarding my *Images*: these are three poems for voice and orchestra, set to a prose text by Baroness Frachon—Ms. Louise Mazzoli is to sing them for me.” She also mentions her choral work for women’s voices and orchestra based on Paul Valéry’s *Cantique des Colonnes*, her vocal quartets based on Paul-Jean Toulet’s *Contrerimes*, and her incidental music for *La Mort de Souper*, performed at the Théâtre de l’Atelier under the direction of Charles Dullin. This last work, premiered in 1922, is particularly interesting for its connections to avant-garde theater: Antonin Artaud participated in its performance in the role of Apoplexy. A valuable record of the creative work of a French composer of the interwar period and of her connections with the literary and theatrical circles of her time. Some older creases; a few signs of handling.