PIATTI (Alfredo Carlo, 1822-1901, Italian Violoncellist and Composer)

Autograph letter signed, in English, to ‘Dear Hann’ asking him to “go next Monday to give a lesson to the Hon^ble Miss Norah Dawney, daughter of Lady Downe. Lady D. will write to you about it, this time the lesson would be at the Dowager Countess of Sefton, 2 Lyall Street, Belgrave Square about 11. Miss Norah is only a beginner, and you must look well after her intonation. The hair of her bow wants renewing, will you see to it?...”, much of the writing on the last page has been crossed out, 3 sides 8vo., Royal Hotel, Edinburgh headed paper with vignette at the head, 13th May no year

Piatti made his concert debut at 15 and started touring at 16. No one doubted the young virtuoso's skill on the instrument, but he did not draw large crowds. As a result, when Piatti fell ill during an engagement, he was forced to sell his cello to cover the medical costs. Franz Liszt invited him to appear as a guest performer at one of his recitals; stunned by what the boy could do on a borrowed cello, Liszt presented him with a superb new instrument. Piatti went on to become one of the most celebrated cellists of his day, as popular for the pieces he wrote as for the robust and unsentimental way he performed them.

Item Date:  0

Stock No:  42879      £225

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