A short but highly interesting original musical manuscript of a theme, inscribed to the pianist Christian Zimmerman: “Here’s something (not exactly a song) that I hope your two hands can play—Best of luck—Leonard Bernstein Sept. ‘83.” In fine condition, neatly penned on an off-white 10 x 6 inch musically-lined page. This is apparently an unknown composition.
Original 8 x 10 inch photograph, stamped Jan 13, 1947 on the verso. Bernstein is shown in an excited pose, gesturing and singing from the piano as he conducts a rehearsal with the Women's Symphony Orchestra (according to press clipping affixed to verso). In fine condition, with chips and small tears to edges and some light in-painting within the image, for reproduction in the Chicago Tribune, from whose archives this was acquired.
Original press photograph of Bernstein and Kennedy at a performance of "Mass" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, 6/6/72. In fine condition, 7.5 x 9 inches.
Bernstein's "Mass" was commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy and was premiered on September 8, 1971,
A rare signed candid photograph from the great Swedish tenor and the great lyrical Italian tenor - undoubtedly two of the greatest singers in history. A unique image of the two tenors with an unidentified man between them, apparently the collector/photographer. Boldly signed in blue and green ink by Bjorling and Tagliavini. 8.8 x 14.9 cm and in very fine condition.
A pair of unusual items from the African-American songwriter and performer best known for the 1921 Broadway musical Shuffle Along, which included the song hit “I’m Just Wild About Harry.” A 2-page "Biographical Sketch," with an initialled manuscript annotation in the hand of Blake ("P.S. My Schillinger Teacher was Prof. Rudolph Schramm. E.B."). Sold together with an 8 x 10 inch photograph of Blake with Howard "Hope" Johns, also notated in the hand of Blake, who adds in the lower margin, "* At the Age of 12."
1 page. On personal letterhead. August 27th, 1970. A friendly letter, in part: "Hi there friends, Well my Marian and I are home at last. My cat was so glad to see my wife he rolled over she told me. I hadn't arrived when she got home. She's a high 'flier' I am a Lone Train Rider. She stayed in L.A. two days long and, was home tweny [sic] some hours a head of me." In very fine condition, sold together with the original transmissal envelope.
28. Brahms, Johannes. (1833–1897). A printed document issued by Die Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien announcing the death of Johannes Brahms on April 3, 1897.
Dated Vienna, April 4, 1897. 1 page. Oblong quarto (230 x 290 mm.). Printed within wide black border by Otto Maass' Söhne in Vienna. The document also provides details on Brahms's funeral, to be held on Tuesday April 6th at 2:30 p.m., commencing at the funeral home and proceeding to the Evangelical Church; the body will then be taken to the Central (City) Cemetery for interment. Slightly worn; creased at folds. Read More...
29. Brahms, Johannes. (1833–1897). Quintett fur Pianoforte, zwei Violinen, Viola und Violoncelle. Op. 34, Partitur u. Stimmen.
Leipzig: J. Rieter-Biedermann. c. 1879. First edition, later issue.. Full score and parts. Lithographed. [PN] 435. McCorkle p.123/4) 67/11/9/9/11pp. Score cover and final 2 leaves separated and heavily worn. Some sl. wear to cnrs. of parts, else very good.
Brahms first wrote his F minor Piano Quintet in 1862 as a String Quintet with 2 cellos, in imitation of and homage to Schubert's identically scored work.
Large cabinet photograph, boldly signed by the German romantic composer and pianist. Light sepia-tone, a wonderful head and shoulders image of the famous composer shown in semi-profile in this 1894 photograph by Rudolf Kezinanek. Signed boldly at the lower portion of the image in dark black ink, "Johannes Brahms." The card mount trimmed down to just outside the photograph, edges nicked, with small hole under the signature, not affecting and otherwise fine. From the collection of Leo Ornstein, leading American experimental composer and pianist, by descent through his family. 13.5 x 20.5 cm [5.25 x 8 inches]. Read More...
London: Boosey and Hawkes. 1946. First edition. Piano Vocal Score, 9.5 x 12.25, 229 pages. [PN] H.15846. Signed on the first page in fountain pen, “With best wishes, Benjamin Britten 1967.” Partial separation to hinge of front cover (approx. 2 inches at top and bottom), uniform light toning to fore-edges, and light handling wear and creasing to covers and spine, otherwise fine condition. Read More...
A very rare original mezzotint. Engraved by J. Simon after the original of John Wallaston and printed by Phil. Overton in 1703. The print is titled below the image, and includes the following laudatory verse by Matthew Prior: Read More...
Rare solid silver uniface portrait plaquette by Johann Joseph Tautenhayn. Bust portrait of the composer facing left, inscribed "AETAT LXXII / GEB. IV. SEPT. MDCCCXXIV / GEST. XI.OCT.MDCCCIVC" and "ANTON BRUCKNER." Signed "Jos. Tatuenhayn Jun." 46.2 mm x 66 mm; 99.3 gm. In very fine condition, a famous portrait from the year of the composer's death. Niggl 438.
Inssbruck: Johann Gross. 1893. First edition. 8vo. Title; 2-5 pp. No [PN]. Ownership stamp and signature on the titepage of the German conductor and musicologist, Franz Bayer. In very fine condition throughout, nicely bound in modern cloth with marbled boards. WAB 5; ABSW XXI/1, 1984 and 2001, 75-81.
Rare first edition of this beautiful and very early work for four-part mixed voice choir and organ continuo, composed in Linz in 1856 but not published until the present issue nearly 40 years later.
Vienna: Musikwissenschaftlicher Verlag [Bruckner-Gesellschaft]. [1930]. Sämtliche Werke. Kritische Gesamtausgabe im Auftrage der Generalddirektion der Nationalbibliothek und der Deutschen Bruckner-Gesellschaft; hrsg. von Robert Haas. Partitur. Upright folio. 122 pp. Black cloth with impressed faux snake skin covering. This copy from the library of Karl Bohm and with his ownership signature in bold blue ink on the front free endpage. In very fine condition.
Autograph quotation, boldly written in pencil and signed by the important German pianist and conductor. On a small page, mounted to a card., 7 x 10.5 cm. Edges a little stained, overall fine and sold together with an attractive vintage postcard photograph. Unusual. In French: Read More...
2 pages. January 24, [1860]. From Paris, addressed to "Monsieur le comte," in French and signed "Hans de Bülow." An important letter to a Count to whom he sends tickets for Wagner's concert at the Théâtre Italien the following day and gives a remarkable account of the rehearsal that day. Read More...
Fine cabinet photograph by W. Höffert of Dresden/Leipzig of the important German pianist and conductor. Lower edge neatly trimmed, otherwise in very fine condition. 4.3 x 6.3 inches (11 x 16 cm.).
Printed announcement of the marriage ceremony of the influential pianist and conductor to Cosima Liszt, the daughter of Franz Liszt and later wife of Richard Wagner. 1 page, printed on the day of the marriage ceremony. Berlin, 18 August, 1857. Usual folds, else fine. 14 x 22.5 cm. Read More...
Rare early photograph of Callas as the Druid priestess in Bellini's Norma, one of her most celebrated roles and one which she appeared in ninety times in eight countries, recording it both in 1954 and 1960. The present original photograph by Giovanni Consoli is from her performance at the Teatro Bellini in Catania, Sicily on November 3, 1951. Callas has boldly signed and inscribed in blue fountain pen ink, dating it [1]952. 11 x 15 cm and in very fine condition.