Autograph letter signed "Olivier Messiaen" from the important twentieth-century composer, a sort of endorsement of the playing of the Russian-American pianist, Alexander Borovsky. 1 page, no place, no date. Translated in full: "Having heard in Paris of the majestic interpretation that Alexander Borovsky performed of my Préludes "Le nombre léger,” "Les sons impalpables," I have known that he also performed in New York two fragments of my most major work (my "Vingt Regards" for piano) - fragments titled "Le baiser de l'Enfant Jésus" - "Regard de l'Esprit de joie." Alexander Borovsky is not only a great pianist, but he knows how to adapt all of the techniques, even the most modern, the newest: one could not know how to thank him enough and applaud this aspect of his talent."

General creasing and folds, small stains and tears to upper and lower edges, else fine. 5.5 x 8 inches (15 x 19 cm).

Messiaen taught at Tanglewood in 1949 (his first visit to USA) and probably met Borovsky there sometime during that summer. The mention in the letter of the modern techniques is especially intriguing and apparently alludes to Borovsky's use of the sostenuto pedal for some effects, which was non-existent on French pianos.
Borovsky performed works of Messiaen over 22 times in his recitals, including a number of US premieres. His first Messiaen Carnegie Hall premieres were in 3/17/1947, 11/23/1948, 12/15/1949, and other performances were between March 1947 and 3/25/1957. One wonders how Messiaen had heard of Borovsky's Carnegie Hall performances of his works prior to his USA visit.