[La Jeune France] Messiaen, Olivier. (1908–1992) & Jolivet, André. (1905–1974) & Daniel-Lesur, Jean-Yves. (1908–2002) & Baudrier, Yves. (1908–1988). "La Jeune France" - SIGNED. [Amis de La Jeune France]. 1954. Booklet by Jean Jacques Brothier detailing the history of the group "La Jeune France," composed of the French muscians Yves Baudrier, André Jolivet, Daniel-Lesur, and Olivier Messiaen. Numbered 111 of 200 copies, 5.5” x 7.5,” 21 pp, bound with a green cord, in excellent condition. On page 4, the four musicians have signed in ink beneath a mounted photograph depicting the group at the time of its creation. In very fine condition. Worldcat records 4 institutional copies, none in the US.


La Jeune France was an important group in the 1930s which sought to invigorate French musical life and turn away from what was perceived to be a mounting pressure towards abstraction in French music, defining itself in contrast to other groups such as Les Six and Ecole d’Arcueil. Baudrier articulated the mission in the group’s 1936 manifesto:


“As life becomes increasingly strenuous, mechanistic and impersonal, music must seek always to give spiritual excitement to those who love it … La Jeune France intends to promote the performance of works which are youthful and free, standing apart from academic or revolutionary clichés. The tendencies of the group are diverse; their common aim is simply to encourage the values of sincerity, generosity and artistic awareness; its goal is to create and foster a living music.” (Baudrier, Cited in Grove Music Online).


An interesting artifact of the upheavals of French musical culture in the years running up to the Second World War.