FERRUCCIO B. BUSONI - COLLECTION WITH DALTON BAKER - HFSID 279700

FERRUCCIO BUSONI and DALTON BAKER
Autograph Letter signed by Baker, sending a postcard photograph signed by Busoni as a gift to a fellow musician who performed Busoni's compositions.
Collection: 1) Postcard Photograph signed on verso: "With Kindest/regards. Yours/Ferruccio BusoniLondon October 1919". Sepia, 3¼x5¼. Addressed in his hand to "Scotland/Miss Bundy Swan/Grove-End/Broomic Knowl/Lasswade". Lightly worn at corners. Otherwise, fine condition. 2) Autograph Letter signed: "Dalton Baker", 1 page, 5x8. West Vancouver, Canada, February 23, no year. To "John Ogdon Esq/c/o Vancouver Symphony". In full: "Please accept this Busoni autograph as a souvenir of your first visit here. I am sorry I am unable to hear you play today. With best wishes for your continued success I am yours truly". Fold creases not near signature. Fine condition. FERRUCCIO BUSONI (1866-1924) was an Italian pianist, composer, writer and teacher. A child prodigy performing in public by age 7, Busoni composed melodically complex works, mostly for piano, which require great skill and stamina to perform. His musical influences were from many sources: he adapted works of Bach but also showed great interest in Indian and Native American music. His maxim was: "Music was born free; and to win freedom is its destiny." Lightly worn at corners. Otherwise, fine condition. DALTON BAKER (1879-1970), and organist, choir conductor and teacher, was considered by many the greatest English baritone of his day, giving a command performance to King Edward VII at Windsor Castle. He also conducted boys' choirs and composed choral music. Baker emigrated to Canada in 1914, continuing solo performances and as a choir master in several Canadian cities. In 1924 he became the first to perform Bach's "Cantata 70" in North America. From 1939 until his retirement in 1956, Baker was conductor of the CBC radio's Vesper Hour and Eventide. John Ogdon (1937-1989), the recipient of Baker's gift of a Busoni autograph, was an English pianist and composer. A Busoni autograph was a perfect gift for Ogdon, who had made his London debut in 1958, playing the Busoni Piano Concerto. Two items.