Viral Ferras, Christian. (1933–1982) & Barbizet, Pierre. (1922–1990) Early Signed Program With Original Photographs With A 70% Price Cut [6Xko97WS]

A very rare early signed trimmed program from the marvelous French violinist, mounted together with two small original photographs from the event, the program cover, and the signature of his long-time collaborator, pianist Pierre Barbizet. The then only eighteen-year-old Ferras has signed boldly in pink ink across the typewritten trimmed program, "En souvenir de Christian Ferras," and two small original snapshots of him playing and signing autographs have been mounted beside the signature. Above and on the facing hinged mat, the cover and another image from the concert program are mounted, together with a small autograph signature and address of the pianist, Pierre Barbizet. The concert took place on December 15, 1951, in Helmstedt, Germany, and included the Brahms violin sonata op. 108. 

Light toning and wrinkling to the autograph, otherwise in fine condition. Autograph size approx. 6.5 x 5 inches (16.2 x 12.5 cm); total size of each of two hinged pages 8.25 x 11.75 inches (21 x 29.5 cm).

Ferras began his career as a young prodigy in the mid 1940's, winning several international competitions, and premiered works by Honegger, Pascal and Semenoff. His collaboration with Pierre Barbizet, which began in 1948 and continued until his death, became one of the most famous violin-piano partnerships of the twentieth century. He left many superb recordings, and it was a great loss to the music world when he committed suicide in 1982 after a long struggle with depression.