DUTILLEUX Henri (1916 - 2013) Lot n° 49

MUSICAL MANUSCRIT autograph "Henri Dutilleux", Salmacis, choreographic poem (1944) ; 2 leaves and 40 pages in-fol. Orchestral score of an unpublished ballet music by Dutilleux. Little information is available on this "choreographic poem", which Dutilleux did not include in the catalog of his works. It was composed while he was a conductor at the Radio, and was danced by Yvette CHAUVIRÉ, who is the dedicatee. The manuscript is in black ink on 26-line paper; it was used as a conductor, as shown by the annotations in red/blue pencil; it bears at the beginning and at the end the stamp of the Sacem dated May 4, 1944. On the title page, the argument of the ballet has been pasted, typed: "Salmacis et Hermaphrodite (Légende chorégraphique). Abandoning the procession of Diana, Salmacis prefers indolence, loving to contemplate herself in the waves and to gather the flowers to adorn her hair. When one day she sees the young Hermaphrodite, she runs away to hide, leaving behind her veil, which will symbolize her. Hermaphrodite bathes innocently, but he feels an unusual presence; worried, he looks for it, but sees nothing. Salmacis (symbolized by the veil she left behind) very much in love with the beautiful Hermaphrodite begs the Gods to allow their union... The prayer was answered, Hermaphrodite and the nymph Salmacis immolated themselves and became one body". On the next page, Dutilleux wrote the dedication: "To Yvette Chauviré", and, under his signature, the date: "February 1944". The orchestra includes: small flute, 2 large flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones (the 3rd also playing the tuba), timpani, percussion (triangle, cymbals, bass drum and drum), celesta, harp, and strings. The ballet includes the following episodes: Prelude, marked Andante; Salmacis' entrance; Salmacis' evolutions; She sees Hermaphrodite; Hermaphrodite appears... bathing; Swimming movements; He feels an unusual presence; Suddenly, he sees Salmacis' tunic. The "choreographic legend" Salmacis et Hermaphrodite was performed by Yvette CHAUVIRÉ on February 25, 1944 at the Salle Pleyel, during a gala benefiting the Red Cross, with the Opera Orchestra. The score has never been published. BIBLIOGRAPHY Pierre Gervasoni, Henri Dutilleux (2016, pp. 316-317).