Camille SAINT-SAËNS judged the artists of the beginning of the century harshly.

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835.1921)

Autographed letter signed.

Two quarto pages on Hotel de l'Oasis letterhead.

Algiers, December 28, 1920.

"The only one with great talent is d'Indy, but he lacks character and his archclericalism is ridiculous."

Saint-Saëns judged the artists of the beginning of the century harshly, condemning almost all of his colleagues.

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“Ah! How right you are, my dear friend, to say that courage is rare among artists! I remember one who, after a pitiful act, said to me: ‘I hoped that others would have the courage not to do it!’ and one of our colleagues saying to me, ‘I think like you, but I don’t dare vote like you!’”

In music, it's like in painting; and it's not for lack of courage to speak about it, but I'm powerless: it's my publisher who publishes all the horrors! Otherwise, rest assured, I wouldn't hold back. But in music, it's more difficult than in painting, because too many readers can't understand. Nevertheless, I've just written an article for the annals (which will appear God knows when) entitled "Literary and Artistic Disorder," in which I was categorical .

Which painter will replace the delightful Merton? If you have any inside information, please let me know. As for our reader, his future looks bleak. Greed has taken hold of everyone. Bruneau [Alfred Bruneau] makes dreadful music ; Pierné [the organist Gabriel Pierné] , once excellent, now protects the worst cacophony and imposes it on the public; those who could have been good are floundering in inaction , the others obstructing progress.

I see only Henri Février standing out, but how slight and inconsistent he is! The only one with great talent is d'Indy, but he lacks natural talent and his archclericalism is ridiculous. Didn't he write in his enormous and monstrous Christophe [The Legend of Saint Christopher] : "True Science is to believe without seeing!" There is an enormous effort in this Saint Christopher, but it makes one think of Sisyphus! The Pyramids are no match for the Parthenon. All my best wishes with my warm and tender friendship, with admiration for the great artist and penetrating thinker. C. Saint-Saëns