Jean CRAS (1879-1932). Autograph music manuscript signed, Concerto pour piano et orchestre, 1931; [1]-87 pages in-fol. in blue paper cover with title (ink stains on a few leaves). Complete working manuscript of the orchestral score for this Concerto. Jean Cras's only piano concerto was composed in 1931. It was premiered on February 6, 1932 by his daughter, Colette Cras (1908-1953), at the Concerts Pasdeloup, conducted by D.E. Inghelbrecht. This concerto is in three movements: I Slow, moderate, lively; II Very slow; III Very lively. Robert Brussel (Figaro, February 11, 1932), while expressing reservations about the somewhat confused form, praises its melodic invention, color and diversity. The composer, who is also a poet, wanted to express, through the movements of the landscape, the movements of the heart. In the musical work of this great sailor, we always find a deep, vast horizon like those he meditated on, and, to bring it to life, imaginary beings whose souls are, like his own, contemplative in dream, delicate in fantasy, strong in action. The rhapsodic, free-form first movement is fluid and colorful. The very slow second movement, with its melancholy theme, is of great beauty, with almost oriental harmonies, and its peroration of vaporous poetry. This is followed by the lively finale, with its contrasting rhythms and festive exaltation. The manuscript, written in black pencil on 20-line bifeuillets, features corrections and annotations in black or red ink. It is dedicated at the head to Colette Cras. The first movement (p. 1-36) is dated at the head 24.10.31 and at the end 30.10.31 , II (p. 37-51) bears the date Paris 1.11.31 , and the last movement (p. 52-87) bears a double date at the end: St Marc été 1931 - Paris 4 novembre 1931 . On an introductory sheet, in ink, Cras has noted the orchestra's composition: 2 large flutes (and the small one), 2 oboes (and English horn), 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani, drum (obbligato), and the string quartet. He also explains movement changes and progressive variations. Discography: Colette Cras-Tansman, Orchestre Radio-Symphonique de Paris; dir. Eugène Bigot (1948; Timpani 2013); Alain Jacquon, Orchestre philharmonique du Luxembourg, dir. Jean-François Antonioli (Timpani 1996).