Bridge, Frank. (1879-1941). "The Sea" - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed.
AMQS signed from the English composer in black ink, two measures with autograph captions, "The Sea" / "Allegro ben marcato" and signature in full above dedication dated Ontario, Canada Feb. 1930. 4.2 x 5.7 inches (10.5 x 14.5 cm). Light toning and neat horizontal crease, small smudge to date area, else fine. In fine condition overall. Uncommon.
Frank Bridge is probably best remembered as the teacher of Benjamin Britten, but he was a respected composer in his own right who over the years developed his own brand of modernism. Interestingly, The Sea was the work that first introduced the ten-year-old Benjamin Britten to Bridge's music. It was also the first significant piece of modern music he had ever encountered. He heard it, conducted by the composer, at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival on 30 October 1924, which he had attended on the encouragement of his viola teacher Audrey Alston. Britten was, in his own words, "knocked sideways". The Norwich Festival's committee was also impressed; they commissioned another work from Bridge for the 1927 Festival; this was Enter Spring, which also made a great impact on Britten. The 1927 Norwich Festival was also where Britten was able to meet Bridge through Audrey Alston. This led to Bridge taking Britten as the only composition student he ever had…. The titles of the movements of Britten's "Four Sea Interludes" from his opera Peter Grimes [also] have striking similarities to the titles of the movements of Bridge's The Sea.”
Bridge, Frank. (1879-1941). "The Sea" - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed.
AMQS signed from the English composer in black ink, two measures with autograph captions, "The Sea" / "Allegro ben marcato" and signature in full above dedication dated Ontario, Canada Feb. 1930. 4.2 x 5.7 inches (10.5 x 14.5 cm). Light toning and neat horizontal crease, small smudge to date area, else fine. In fine condition overall. Uncommon.
Frank Bridge is probably best remembered as the teacher of Benjamin Britten, but he was a respected composer in his own right who over the years developed his own brand of modernism. Interestingly, The Sea was the work that first introduced the ten-year-old Benjamin Britten to Bridge's music. It was also the first significant piece of modern music he had ever encountered. He heard it, conducted by the composer, at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival on 30 October 1924, which he had attended on the encouragement of his viola teacher Audrey Alston. Britten was, in his own words, "knocked sideways". The Norwich Festival's committee was also impressed; they commissioned another work from Bridge for the 1927 Festival; this was Enter Spring, which also made a great impact on Britten. The 1927 Norwich Festival was also where Britten was able to meet Bridge through Audrey Alston. This led to Bridge taking Britten as the only composition student he ever had…. The titles of the movements of Britten's "Four Sea Interludes" from his opera Peter Grimes [also] have striking similarities to the titles of the movements of Bridge's The Sea.”