MATTHIJS VERMEULEN

Componist, schrijver en denker

19270517 Henry Prunières aan Matthijs Vermeulen

Henry Prunières

aan

Matthijs Vermeulen

Parijs, 17 mei 1927

Paris, le 17 Mai 1927

Cher Monsieur,

Voici un extrait de mes chroniques du Telegraaf et du NEW YORK TIMES du 1e Mai. Mon compte-rendu pour la REVUE MUSICALE paraîtra dans le numéro du 1e Juin.

Croyez, cher Monsieur, à mes sentiments cordialement dévoués.

H Prunières

[bijgesloten: recensie (ongesigneerd) in New York Times d.d. 1 mei 1927 over de Eerste Cellosonate]

At the concerts of the Revue Musicale were heard two important pieces of chamber music, the quintet of Prokofieff and the sonata for 'cello of Mattys Vermeulen. The quintet, for violin, viola, double-bass, hautbois and clarinet, is one of the most successful, works of Prokofieff. The composer has not sought as in his recent symphony or in certain concertos to appear as a neo-classicist, but has abandoned himself to his popular vein, which is fundamentally Russian in inspiration. The quintet belongs in the same category with "Chout." It is a highly colored work, full of life and light. The five instruments sound like an orchestra. The execution presents extreme difficulties, Prokofieff demands from his instrumentalists and in particular from the contrabasses, veritable acrobatic feats. The interpretation was excellent.

The sonata for 'cello of Vermeulen likewise was warmly received. The Dutch composer is a figure of singular interest, a voluntary exile from his native land, who in his retreat in the suburbs of Paris has never mingled in the musical life of Paris. While the characteristics of Vermeulen may be a matter for discussion, it must be recognized that he is a musician of outstanding individuality. He imitates nobody; he is always himself. There are in this sonata passages of extraordinary power. Its workman-ship is very skillful, and rarely has the 'cello been employed with greater novelty of effect; but in the case of a musician of his order technical skill is secondary, and it is the profound value of his inspiration which seems to me especially to merit our attention. Mattys Vermeulen is at times unequal in his composition, but he is a great artist. It is sad to think that the four [moet zijn: 3] symphonies in which this musician has given of his best have never yet been performed.

Verblijfplaats: Amsterdam, Bijzondere Collecties UvA