Signed Mishkin of NY bust portrait photograph of the American composer who melded the jazz idiom with classical music forms in a number of timeless orchestral and stage works, including Rhapsody in Blue and Porgy and Bess. Original 8 x 10 inch photograph of the composer, boldly signed in black ink in the lower blank margin "Sincerely / George Gershwin." A few very light surface creases and scratches, tiny tear to upper center margin, else fine. An ideal uninscribed example.
Signed photograph of conductor Lorin Maazel, baritone Theodor Uppman, soprano Carolyn Long, and pianist Jesús María Sanromá, the conductor and featured soloists of the Gershwin Concert Orchestra, their individual photographs surrounding an inset portrait of George Gershwin at the piano. An early example of Maazel's signature. In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
TLS from the Russian composer to the French conductor, regarding the acquisition of new Russian repertoire. 26 July (erroneously typed as June and hand-corrected) 1943, Moscow; 1 p. on A4 Union of Soviet Composers USSR stationary. In the letter, written in Glière's capacity as the Chairman of the USCUSSR, he advises (translated from the Russian) "[i]f you would like to include new works by Soviet composers in your repertoire, please write me, and [the Union] will send you the appropriate materials. Unfortunately, transportation difficulties prevent [Russian composers] from sending notes directly to interested parties." The reference to "transportation difficulties" is one of several made to the circumstances of World War 2 throughout the letter. Glière opens by thanking Monteux for his "expression of sympathy for the Motherland," and concludes by wishing him "a speedy return to [his] beautiful homeland, in the liberation of which we firmly believe." Signed "Р. Глиэр" (R. Glière). Expected mailing folds, small horizontal tear to right edge, else in fine condition. Read More...
26. Gounod, Charles-François. (1818–1893). "All this story about Faust...I have been the fool or victim" – Autograph letter relating to Gounod's difficulties in obtaining his desired royalties from his English publishers
Autograph Letter from the French composer recently described as “perhaps the central figure in French music in the third quarter of the 19th century,” addressed to his agent, Ernest Gambart (1814–1902). Dated 29 June, 1872, 4 pp., 8vo, on letterhead of Tavistock House, London, the residence of Georgina Weldon (1837–1914) and her husband. In French. Signed "Ch. Gounod." Usual folds, very fine. Read More...
Original carte de visite photograph of the prolific French composer, shown standing next to a table in an assertive pose. Photographed by Disdéri, Paris. One ink stain to the left margin of the mount and slight foxing; overall in fine condition. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.3 x 10.5 cm).
Original program from a performance by the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall as part of the 1939 New York World's Fair, signed to front page by conductor Sir Adrian Boult, pianist Solomon, and composer Arthur Bliss. The performance, presented by the British Council, included Weber's overture to Der Freischütz, Prelude and Fugue by Walter Piston, the closing scene to Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe, and the world premieres of Bliss's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra and Vaughan Williams' Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus. 4 pp. In fine condition. 7.75 x 10.5 inches (19.7 x 26.7 cm.).
London: Muzio Clementi and Co. . [1801?]. Three / Sonatas / for the / Piano Forte or Harpsichord / with Accompaniments for / Violin and Violoncello […] / Op. IX. No PN. Piano part, 49 pp.; violin and violoncello parts lacking. Upright folio, disbound, with remnants of binding. Minimal wear, soiling and foxing; final sheet frayed at gutter and partly detached; occasional corrections in pencil; otherwise in fine condition. Apparently the second London edition (first was by Longman & Broderip). 9.5 x 13.3 inches (24.2 x 33.6 cm). Read More...
Selection of works by the German pianist and composer who had studied with Clementi. All engraved oblong folios. Toning around edges, light foxing, else in fine condition unless stated below. First editions unless stated below. Read More...
Pair of significant and densely written ALS from the French composer to the important conductor Pierre Monteux, whom he addresses as "cher maître", dated 27 September (4 pp.) and 3 October (3 pp.), discussing in detail some of his recent compositions, the situation in France, and enlisting Monteux's assistance in overcoming difficulties related to acquiring the necessary visas to travel to the United States. In part, "I am very sorry to come and once again abuse you, but the world is like that now." No year is specified, but the substance of the letters suggests that they were written ca. 1940–44. Mailing folds, else very fine. 5.5 x 8.25 inches (14 x 21 cm.). Read More...
Striking linen-backed poster for the Florentine music festival, illustrated with a musical clef transposed over an image of a brown tower against a background of green and blue. Lettering in red on blue frames the image from above and to the right. Printed facsimile inscription to lower right, poster printed by L. Salomone, Rome. Some light surface creases, else in fine condition. 27 x 39.5 inches (68.6 x 100.3 cm.). 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, in fitted case. Niggl 1236. Read More...
Autograph musical quotation from the great German conductor closely associated with Mahler, whose music he helped establish in the repertory. Walter has penned the theme from the first movement of Mahler's Symphony no. 4 on a small sheet, and has signed and dated Munich, November 21, 1929. Matted together with a photograph of Walter on the podium, to an overall size of 6 x 11.5 inches (15.5 x 29 cm). Some slight smudging to the quotation but otherwise very fine. Read More...
35. Massenet, Jules. (1842–1912). Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Musical Quotation from "Marie Magdeleine"
Autograph letter signed from the important French operatic composer, together with an autograph musical quotation. Letter dated Paris, 4 December 1890. 2 pp. Translated from the French: "I am in receipt of the program of the concert in which you have done me the honor of directing Marie Magdeleine. I am most happy and proud of this tribute." The autograph musical quotation, from the third act of Marie Magdeleine, is dated Paris, 1887. AMQS 9 x 11.3 centimeters; letter 10.6 x 17.5 centimeters. Read More...
Seven autograph letters and notes written by Madeleine Milhaud, wife of the French composer, to Doris and Nancie Monteux, the wife and adoptive daughter, respectively, of important conductor Pierre Monteux. Four short letters are undated but evidently ca. 1940–44 on letterhead of l'Enclos, the Milhaud Family country home, and contain a mixture of friendly correspondence and concern over the present political environment ("quelle affreusement, chérie, et pourtant il faut du courage," "Travail envers et contre tout même Hitler."). Later letters postmarked 1964 (Mill's College, Oakland, CA), 1980 (Paris), and 2002 (Paris) mix friendly content ("J'irai en Californie en Avril pour de manifestation 'Milhaud'") and attest to a long friendship. Together with two transmissal envelopes postmarked 1964 and 2002. All in fine condition. Read More...
Heliogravure of the French composer after an original etching by Charles-Nicolas Cochin (1715–1790), by a pioneer of this type of photogravure, Charles Amand Durand (1831–1905), ca. 1870s. Slight discoloration along left edge, tipped at edge to support, else very fine. 6.5 x 8.75 inches (16.5 x 22.2 cm.) Read More...
Warsaw: J. Mekarski. Early edition of "Przasniczka" ("Spinning Wheel"), a setting of a poem by Jan Czeczot (1796–1847), No. 7 in the third of Moniuszko's twelve "śpiewniki domowe" ("songbooks"). Purple ownership stamp in upper right corner from the "Musical society chapter named for Stanisław Moniuszko" dated 18/IV 1901 beneath the earlier signature and inscription from the composer, signed "Stanislaw Moniuszko." Inside, Italian lyrics have been handwritten in red ink for each verse, the translation attributed to "Prof. Ladislas Miller." Tears and small losses at edges and corner and along spine, foxing throughout. 10.5 x 13.5 inches (26.7 x 34.3 cm.). Read More...
40. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. (1756–1791). Le Nozze di Figaro. Die Hochzeit des Figaro. Eine Comische Oper in 4. Aufzügen...fürs Clavier eingerichtet von C. G. Neefe.
Bonn: N. Simrock. [1795]. First Edition, third issue. . [1] (title printed within oval decorative border), 2-228 pp., 1f. (recto publisher's catalogue, verso blank). Oblong 4to (c.21.5 x 30cms). Engraved throughout. [PN] 28. Text in Italian and German. Includes as No. 30, Mozart's aria "Al desio di chi t'adora" (k. 577). Worn green paper boards, cloth to spine heavily worn, 3 page corners repaired with old tape, scattered light stains, but overall a clean and very good copy. Haberkamp page 258, plates 218-220; Hoboken 259; RISM M 4343. Read More...
41. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. (1756–1791). [Requiem mass, K.626] Requiem. Reprint des Lichtdrucks von 1913–herausgegeben von Alfred Schnerich. Neu herausgegeben von Franz Beyer.
Adliswil: 1990. Hardcover. Oblong (35 x 25 cm). 23, 85 pp. 2-color halftone reprint of the Vienna, 1913 facsimile edition, issued on the occasion of the bicentennial of the composer’s death. With a new afterword in German - English (does not include original edition commentary by Alfred Schnerich, nor the writing samples of Süßmayer, Stadler and Eybler).
A lock of hair from the Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer, the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time and one the most colorful musical figures of the Romantic era. The lock measuring approx. 3 cm in diameter and including some 100+ hairs, archivally matted and framed with a period portrait to 11 x 16 inches overall. The fine portrait in gouache is unsigned and undated but was removed from an album of letters dated 1820 - 1860 so it is evidently of that period. Read More...
Pair of ALS from the Dutch composer to the great conductor concerning life during World War II, both written on A4 Maatschappij tot Bevordering der Toonkunst ("Society for the Promotion of Music Arts, Rotterdam") stationary. The first (12 October 1939; 2 pp.) reflects on the importance of the arts even in such troubled times. In part (translated from the French): "I don't believe I will find a way to help with one of those lovely concerts under your baton. Especially since it is forbidden for us to drive a car on Sundays... You know, the fate of us 'neutrals' (in name, of course) is above all to pay for the stupidity of dictators. Without being able to do anything against aggressions and without a way to defend European culture. It rests on us to enter combat, with nothing but our habit of making art which will be of use to our grandsons, to show them that even in 1939 we held onto the need to think of music." The second (16 April 1940; 1 p.), in part: "Life grows more and more difficult. There are those who suffer an incredible amount of uncertainty. As for us, we continue to work and stay standing. The composition of an opera seems ridiculous, against the "reality" of war and with next to Germany in 1940. All the same, I know that my lot is simple: compose music." Expected mailing folds, some unobtrusive damage to left margin of second letter, else fine. Read More...