Five letters of Adrien-Francois Servais, a nineteenth century cellist, pioneer in the use of the endpin in performance, and owner of the "Servais" Stradivarius cello.
Scope and Contents:
Five letters of Adrien-Francois Servais, describing his personal experiences as he traveled and gave concerts, including three from his son Joseph Servais (1850-1885), dated September 7, 1871, June 7, 1877, and December 30, 1884. Also includes a photograph of Adrien-Francois Servais with cello with an endpin and a lithograph of Francois Servais, signed and dedicated to Joseph Fishoff.
Biographical / Historical:
Adrien-Francois Servais was among the first of the nineteenth century virtuosi whose exploration of the capabilities of the cello stimulated composers to consider that instrument's capabilities. Renowned for his acrobatic technique, which dazzled audiences throughout Europe, and his expressive style and powerful tone, Servais was once described as "the Paganini of the cello."
Provenance:
Collection donated by Miss Charlotte Bergen, 1981.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.