The Perfect Boulanger, Nadia. (1887–1979) [diamond, David. (1915–2005)] Signed American Conservatory Of Paris Certificate For David Diamond Set [bO5L1zIV]

Original certificate of attendance showing that the young composer David Diamond "has been a student at this school for a period of 2 months during the 1937 session," signed at the foot by Nadia Boulanger, and with a stamped signature of Maurice Ravel. Boulanger's signature very slightly smudged; horizontal folding crease; left edge and lower edge folded back. Overall fine. 9 x 12 inches (23 x 30.5 cm).

From the collection of David Diamond, considered one of the preeminent American composers of his generation. He enjoyed wide success in the 1940's and 1950's, before the serial and modernist trends largely pushed him into the shadows. The New York Times described him as "part of what some considered a forgotten generation of great American symphonists, including Howard Hanson, Roy Harris, William Schuman, Walter Piston and Peter Mennin."

"On Diamond's second visit to Paris in 1937, he joined the class of Nadia Boulanger at Fontainebleau. He was introduced to Igor Stravinsky, who listened to a four-hand piano version of Diamond's just-written Psalm for orchestra. With a few revisions based on Stravinsky's appraisal, Psalm won the 1937 Juilliard Publication Award, and was among the compositions influencing his receipt of a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1938." (www.daviddiamond.org)