Albert SCHWEITZER (1875-1965). L.A.S., Lambaréné December 27 - Lot 177

Albert SCHWEITZER (1875-1965). L.A.S., Lambaréné December 27, 1946, to Archibald Martin Henderson, organist in Glasgow; 2pages oblong in-8, envelope (stamp cut out). Beautiful letter from the organist evoking his master Charles-Marie Widor. He thanks Henderson for his "precious gift" to his work... "you remind me of the common master we have, dear Widor. What a privilege for us to have been his pupils. When I study here in the evening on my piano with organ pedal that the Bach Society of Paris gave me as an organist's gift when I left for Africa, I wonder if my interpretation is in the spirit of the dear master"... He gives details of Widor's illness and end of life, whom he went to see at the end of 1936, before his departure for Africa: "He knew that we would not see each other again... His serenity was admirable". He congratulates Henderson on his editions, and on his interest in Rheinberger, which he also appreciates: "It's a genre apart, not profound, but of serious workmanship. Ein Mendelssohn-Epigone, but a man with organ intuition"... A fine photographic portrait by Lotte Meitner-Graf (with her stamp) is included.