21. Ligeti, Gyorgy. (1923–2006). Notenbilder. Kunstmappe mit sechs Faksimiles nach Musik-Autographen von György Ligeti und mit dem Reprint eines Ligeti-Portraits von Klaus Böttger: Volumina; Etudes pour Piano; Monument; Violinkonzert; Klavierkonzert; Requiem.
Mainz / München: B.Schott's Söhne / kunst publik Monika Limbacher GmbH. 1991. 36 x 46 cm, i, iv, 7 pp. Superb full-color facsimile leaves from six works of Ligeti, each of them from “composing” scores for the final draft of the respective work, illustrating how the compositions take shape with constant revision, crossing out, and varied use of color. The set also includes a beautiful reprint of an original lithograph-portrait of the composer by Klaus Böttger. Double sheet (title / text by Eckhard Roelcke: György Ligeti in conversation, with 6 black and white illustrations / imprint), 1 transparent sheet; Text by Hannes Reinhardt: Klaus Böttger); 1 sheet (green tinted, numbered, titled, signed and dated in pencil. Original etching by Klaus Böttger: image: 23 x 16.5 cm, sheet: 34 x 26, 8 cm) and 6 individually with pencil number and signed by Ligeti (with full name). On Vélin Arches paper, a total of 10 sheets, loose in a white folder with white title print in relief embossing. This example from the special edition of ten Roman numeral copies, D II/X of the A edition (150 ex.): No.II of X of the artist's or publisher's copies, additionally signed by Ligeti and Böttger following the imprint. With 2 inserts, including a complete list of Ligeti's published works. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and a representative of New Music.
Unsigned uniface bronze portrait medal/plaque of the Hungarian virtuoso pianist and composer, engraved with his signature along the bottom margin. Ca. 1880. 42.0 mm x 52.5 mm, weighing 58.8 grams and in very fine condition.
Bronze uniface portrait medal/plaque of the Hungarian virtuoso pianist and composer, by Beran [L]ajos in honor of the Liszt centenary celebration at the Lipótváros Casino in Budapest. 48 x 80 mm, a little rubbed, a few small scratched, but overall in very fine condition.
Impressive right-facing bust portrait medal of the Hungarian virtuoso pianist and composer. Signed to the lower edge "ED. GEERTS. SULPT. F." and surrounded recto by small circle design. Verso with laurels and the engraved text "A / FRANZ LISZT / SOUVENIR / DU 29 MAI 1881 / LES ARTISTES MUSICIENS / DE / BRUXELLES." 65 mm. Niggl 1116. Edges and verso with some scratching and soiling, small shallow surface crack from the lower neck, else fine. With remarkable provenance from the collection of Alfred Cortot (Christie's Paris, 2019), one of the great pianists of all time, famous as well as an important collector of antiquarian music and historical music memorabilia. Read More...
Uniface bronze left-facing bust portrait medal of the Hungarian virtuoso pianist and composer. Inscribed around the recto "Franc Liszt Nostri Saecvuli Clavichordii Orpheus" and signed to the lower neck "C. Lange." 49 mm. This example of the medal, which Niggl (1134) describes with text also to verso, has seemingly been roughly separated somehow from it's other half, the recto rather rough and pierced with a small nail head, probably from a prior mounting. Niggl also records that Liszt had been presented with a silver example of this medal by Baron Prokesch von Osten on behalf of Hungarian art lovers. Despite condition issues, this is a very rare early medal, with remarkable provenance from the collection of Alfred Cortot (Christie's Paris, 2019), one of the great pianists of all time, famous as well as an important collector of antiquarian music and historical music memorabilia.
Autograph music manuscript, a partial draft of the song ‘Ich möchte hingehn’ (LW N31; S.296), n.d. [c.1858-59]. 3¼ pages on two leaves, 192 and 196 x 300mm, the paper cut down from larger sheets, ruled with 12 staves per page, scored for voice and piano, four systems of three staves per page except for the final page, 104 bars (9 of which cancelled), pages 1 and 2 marked ‘3’ and ‘4’ in autograph, autograph cancellations and emendations (worn and split along central vertical fold and a little tattered at the horizontal margins of the second leaf, erasure marks). Read More...
Original ca. 1907 drypoint etching on vellum of the renowned composer, signed by its creator, the acclaimed Czech artist Ferdinand Michl. An unnumbered proof aside from the edition of 350, on firm wove paper, the plate dimensions approximately 12.5 x 12.5 inches (32 x 31 cm). In fine condition, nicely matted and framed to 19.5 x 21.5 inches overall. Read More...
A rare and finely made first strike bronze commemoration medal of Gustav Mahler by Alfred Rothberger, obverse; portrait bust in low relief, cast caption GUSTAV MAHLER, signed to flan edge, reverse; art nouveau decoration, the text "MEINE ZEIT WIRD NOCH KOMMEN," 49mm diameter, very fine. Niggl 1236. With remarkable provenance from the collection of Alfred Cortot (Christie's Paris, 2019), one of the great pianists of all time, famous as well as an important collector of antiquarian music and historical music memorabilia. Read More...
Leipzig: C.F. Kahnt Nachfolger. [1888]. First Edition. Die Drei Pintos. Komische Oper in drei Aufzügen. Unter Zugrundelegung des gleichnamigen Textbuches v. Th. Hell, der hinterlassenen Entwürfe und ausgewählter Manuscripte des Componisten ausgeführt: der dramatische Theil von C. von Weber, der musikalische von G. Mahler. Klavier-Auszug m. Text. 4to. 223 pp. [PN] 2951. Bound in gray marbled boards with red cloth spine. Boards chipped at edges and corners, partial losses and breaks to spine, small tear to upper left of title, lightly toned, but a clean and quite fine copy internally. The copy of German opera composer and conductor, Manfred Gurlitt, and with his ownership signature dated "Bremen, Dez. 1919" to the head of the title. A rare first edition of the piano reduction, with interesting provenance. Read More...
Autograph musical quotation from the important conductor particularly known for his connection with Gustav Mahler, and who has penned five measures from the opening of the composer's Symphony no. 2. Walter identifies the work, signs and dates Munich, July 1919. On a small sheet with some toning and water damage to the upper edge, not affecting the text; mounted on a stiff white sheet. 5.25 x 5 inches (13.5 x 11.5 cm) and presented with a fine original photograph (approx. 8 x 10 inches) of Walter conducting. Nicely matted and framed to 21.5 x 17.5 inches. Read More...
Original 1967 press photograph of Menotti and Kennedy at a performance of "Les Ballets Africains" in New York. 7.25 x 9.75 inches (18 x 24.5 cm). Crease lower right, irregularly trimmed, else fine.
TLS of the notable Italian-American composer to the influential producer Howard Scott, then at G. Schirmer, Inc., New York. August 14, 1980. In English. 1 p. Personal letterhead paper with the address of Yester House, Menotti's country mansion in Scotland. The letter discusses video clips from two of Menotti's operas—Amahl and the Night Visitors and The Saint of Bleecker Street—to be used in a forthcoming program on French TV. In full: "Thank you for your cable. The 'Amahl' clip might just as well be sent straight to France. It should be sent to / Société Française de Production,/ 36 rue des Alouettes, / Paris 75019 / for the attention of Mr. J.P. Nicole, Room 2274. / Do tell Miss de Paul however that I find it a little bit strange that they should have chosen [Teresa] Stratas's aria, being practically the only moment in the opera where Amahl is not seen. The opera, after all, is about the child and not about his mother. Could they possibly add the sequence where Amahl beats the Page and then falls into his mother's arms? / As for 'The Saint of Blee[c]ker Street', I am quite sure French T.V. would be willing to pay something for the use of three or four minutes of it. I would not think the cost of such a small clip would be prohibitive. Do please let me know exactly to whom they should address their request and discuss the charge. / With my thanks for your help, / Yours sincerely, /Gian Carlo Menotti." Date of receipt (August 20, 1980) hand stamped in red to head. Two marginal notes in pencil: "got union clearance" regarding Amahl and the Night Visitors and "Can't get Union Clearance 'Soberman'[?]" regarding The Saint of Bleecker Street. Repair to head; some creases. 10 x 8 inches (25.5 x 20.5 cm). Read More...
Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel. Oblong bound folio. Original blue wrappers. Lithographed throughout. 84 pp. Full titling (but without place and publisher) to wrapper only. First leaf is general title, "Oeuvres Complettes de Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart", with vignette by J. G. Schmidt, dated 1799, followed by contents page with incipits of the 14 works included. 13.25 x 10.5 inches (24 x 26.5 cm). Heavily damp stained, general title detached, but else in very good condition. Contents: Read More...
Promotional brochure issued by the Danish composer's publisher, Wilhelm Hansen, Copenhagen. Small upright format; staple-bound. 8 pp. (unpaginated). Photographic portrait to title. Biographical essay by Erling Kullberg, dated 1983. Work list, supplemented and updated to 1989 by loosely inserted leaf. Facsimile page from Symphony no. 4 to final page. Inscription to fol. 1v: "2/5/87 To Ian with greetings from Per Nørgård." 8.25 x 4 inches (21 x 10.5 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Proof copy (blueline) of the piano-vocal score of the opera by the very versatile American composer. Dated "1949" to head of first page. 79 pp. Facsimile from 12-staff "Albanene 195L" transparent music paper by Arnold Arnstein, New York. Printed on one side only and accordion-folded (blank pages remain hidden if connected leaves turned on right side). The format of the first two sets, which were originally connected, is slightly larger (13.5 x 9.5 inches / 34.5 x 24.4 cm) than that of the third set (13 x 9.5 inches / 32.5 x 24.2 cm). The first set contains the prelude, scene I (paginated consecutively from [1] to 25) and, on its final page, the beginning of scene 2. The second set contains the remainder of scene II (paginated from 2 to [12]). The third set contains scene III (paginated [1] to 16) and IV (paginated [1] to 25). There are numerous corrections in pencil and occasional ones in blue ink. Several leaves torn and frayed (especially outer leaves of the three sets), some browning, ink stain to p. 17 of scene 3, occasional brown stains, e.g. to top right corner of first page. Read More...
Rare concert broadside from the legendary violinist's first international tour, advertising a January 28, 1829 performance in Dresden at the Königliches Hoftheater. The "Kammer-Virtuoso" of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria was to perform several of his own pieces including the Second Violin Concerto (identifiable by the remark, "Rondo Allegretto, mit Begleitung eines Glöckchens" = with the accompaniment of a little bell), the Sonata Militare, and Introduction and Variationson the Cavatina ‘Di tanti palpiti’ from Rossini’s opera‘Tancredi’. The program was punctuated by arias, duets, and trios performed by a number of singers. Mounted to backing paper. Toning and foxing to the right side, two small areas of voiding, else in fine condition. 8.25 x 14.25 inches (21 x 36 cm). Read More...
A very finely executed silhouette portrait of the legendary violinist, signed and dated by an unknown Continental artist "R.B. 1830" to the lower right and titled "Sig[nor] Paganini." On a page measuring 6.25 x 8.25 inches, set in an attractive period birdseye maple veneer frame. A few small spots, else in fine condition. Read More...
Vintage 1952 photograph of Porter and Sullivan as they discuss the script for Sullivan's "Toast of the Town" which was to present "The Cole Porter Story" over two broadcasts. 7 x 9 inches (18 x 23 cm), in fine condition.
Signed program of a recital given by the outstanding Russian composer and pianist at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels on December 11, 1930. Bold signature, "Serge Prokofieff", to first page in black ink. Prokofiev's (first) wife, the singer Carolina Codina (1897–1989), also participated in the recital—under her stage name of Lina Llubera—but did not sign. 8.25 x 5 inches (20.7 x 13 cm). In fine condition. Read More...