102.
[Instrumentalists]
[Mystery Violinist]. Carte de Visite Photograph of Violinist
Hirsch of Berlin CDV photograph of violinist with the first name of "Theo" with text (caption and back) in German. Caption: "The etc. passed [an exam] with distinction. Berlin, March 18, 1878." Text on the back: "Dear Hans, for now this dear, old picture of our Theo with his violin. The other, from his final days, will follow soon. V. tr. Odo [?]." The violinist remains unidentified. 4 x 2.5 inches (10 x 6.3 cm).
ALS of the French composer and pianist to Lina Magrini-Brasseur in Gassin (Provence). In French. Postcard with black-and-white photograph of Lyons-la-Forêt, Normandy. No date (postmark probably reads "1953"); stamp is from 1951 series. In full: "Hôtel de la Licorice. Thank you, my dear Lina, of your so kind thoughts. I am getting some rest here in the middle of a forest (and I am all happy), but all that is no match for wonderful Gassin. What do you guess regarding piano playing? Don't neglect your gifts. My best wish, Yves Nat." Lina Magrini (ca. 1920-after 1969) was the second wife (1947-69) of French actor Pierre Brasseur (1905-1972). In fine condition. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (9 x 14 cm). Read More...
An early cabinet bust portrait photograph by London Stereoscopic Co. of the Polish pianist, composer and statesman who was also prime minister and foreign minister of the Polish Republic (1919), boldly signed to a light area of the image with his name alone. 6 x 4 inches (15.5 x 10 cm). In very fine condition, a perfect example.
Issue no. 3610 of The Theatrical Observer; And Daily Bills of the Play, a daily periodical published in London. Dated Friday, July 12, 1833. 4 pp. The final page consists of a large advertisement for a concert at Drury Lane with the header, "This evening / Signor PAGANINI / Will give the second of a Series of Four Concerts; In the course of which he will perform some of this most Established and Popular Pieces." The program includes The Matins of the Monastery of St. Bernard.Read More...
Original press photograph ca. 1977 of the young American concert pianist, raising his hand expressively from the keyboard with members of an orchestra visible behind him. The press caption on the verso reads: "Murray Perahia, the celebrated pianist, will give a recital in Symphony Hall on Friday, April 11 at 8 p.m. under the auspices of the Wang Celebrity Series." Perahia made his first appearance in Boston's Celebrity Series in the 1976-1977 season. A striking image in very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.5 x 20.5 cm).
Original press photograph showing the young pianist and violinist after their successful debuts at the Salzburger Mozartwoche festival in January 1976. In fine condition. 7 x 5 inches (17.6 x 12.9 cm).
Elusive signed photograph of the leading violist of his time, a member of the London String Quartet and the NBC Symphony under Toscanini before embarking on an unprecedented successful solo career as violist. Vintage glossy 8 x 10 inch J. Abresch of NY portrait photograph of Primrose, signed and inscribed in fountain pen: "À Mme Gustave Gautier [wife of the famous French architect and designer Gustave Gautier (1911-1980)?] en bon souvenir / William Primrose." In an attractive if somewhat worn silver painted wooden Art Deco frame, unexamined out of frame but with visible surface crazing and creases to the lower area of the image. 9.5 x 11.5 inches [24 x 29 cm] overall.
Rare signed 1945 Philadelphia Orchestra concert program of the great pianist whose flourishing career was cut tragically short by a plane crash on the way back from Australia. Copland wrote of him: “ I cannot conceive of his ever having given a dull performance – an erratic one, perhaps, a misguided or stylistically incongruous one maybe, but invariably one that was electric and alive.” Boldly signed on the program page listing his performance of the second Rachmaninoff Concerto, under the baton of Eugene Ormandy, who has also signed. Hold punches to spine, newsclip and other sheet stapled/pinned to cover and facing page, else fine. Read More...
Vintage original linen-finish sepia Reinhardt of Leipzig postcard photograph of the influential German organist, conductor, composer and pedagogue. Small crease to lower corner, with the raised stamp of the photographer lower right. 3.5 x 5.25 in; 8.5 x 13.5 cm. Read More...
Three ALS of the Austrian-American pianist Moriz Rosenthal, born in Lemberg, Austria-Hungary (later Lwów, Poland, now Lviv, Ukraine), who studied with Liszt for 9 years and was one of the most important pianists of the late 19th and first half of the 20th century. A regular sonata partner of Fritz Kreisler, he toured frequently and left some fantastic recordings. In German, as follows: Read More...
Signed glossy knee-length portrait of the Polish-born pianist; promotional still from the 20th Century Fox documentary Of Men and Music (1951). 10.25 x 8 inches (25.7 x 20.1 cm). Crease to top left corner and slight wear to other corners, else in fine condition. Read More...
Striking original portrait photograph of the great Hungarian-American cellist, shown from the shoulders up with the scroll of his instrument tucked beside his head. Dated on the verso: April 18, 1977. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.2 x 25.7 cm).
Original press photograph of the great Hungarian-American cellist in performance. Stamped on the verso: July 14, 1969. In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.6 x 25.5 cm).
Signed program of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, concert of March 17, 1944, in which the Hungarian violinist played the Brahms concerto. With a printed portrait in semi-profile that includes the musician's signature in facsimile; dated 1933. Both items of same size 8.25 x 5.25 inches (21 x 13.5 cm.) and mounted in a frame as an ensemble to 15.75 x 13.5 inches (40 x 34.5 cm.) overall.
Boldly penned AMQS from one of the most distinguished and celebrated virtuoso pianists of the 19th century. Two measures, marked "Presto." Signed and dated "Dover, Aug(ust) 28th 1863." Some glue showing through along upper edge, a little wrinkled but generally very good. 8 x 5 inches; 20.5 x 12.5 cm.
"Together with Liszt, Thalberg must be ranked as the greatest virtuoso pianist of the mid-19th century..." (Grove Online)
Autograph letter to "Fiorentino" by Francesca Cecchina Thalberg, wife of the famous Austrian pianist and composer, with a postscript by Sigismund, signed by both. In French. 4 pp. Small bifolium. No date. "My dear Fiorentino, so much has not been said, but all will be said on Saturday, July 22, at noon. We will leave for Brussels immediately and then go to [Bad] Ems..." Rome and Naples are identified as later destinations. "If you, as I hope, send us some nice words to cheer us up, send them in May, and address them to Mme. T., Bad Ems, Duchy of Nassau." Sigismund's postscript: "It is impossible to write or to say the smallest nice or spirited word after Cecchina. Thus all I can do is to shake your hands cordially." In fine condition. 7 x 4.5 inches (18 x 11.3 cm).
119.
[Instrumentalists]
Vieuxtemps, Henri. (1820-1881). "Among 10 deaf-mutes here listening to music...with the ear...next to a violin, I have known some who were passionate about music" - Autograph Letter Signed
ALS of the great Belgian violinist and composer to Théodore Perrin. Lyon, December 3, 1855. 1 p. Bifolium with "HUY" embossed. Translated from the French, in full: "Sir, although I am a bit late in answering your eloquent epistle, you will not wish for more, especially as you must have guessed that my answer would be affirmative. I willingly associate myself with your charities and will pay you a visit during one of these days in order to see to it that your business case is arranged in a way so that nothing will reach my people at the theater [?]. I will be pleased to make the acquaintance of Rev. Father Charles. He who is such a music lover must know that among 10 deaf-mutes here listening to music brought to their doors, that is, with the ear on the sound board of the piano or next to a violin, I have known some who were passionate about music." In fine condition. 7.5 x 4.5 inches (19 x 11.5 cm). Read More...
120.
[Instrumentalists]
Vieuxtemps, Henri. (1820-1881). "Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes" - Autograph Letter Signed to Eugénie Garcia
ALS of the great Belgian violinist and composer to "Madame E. Garcia," Paris. In French. March 22, 1841. 1 p. Bifolium; address to final page. In full: "Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes Madam, My friend Wolff and I accept, with transportation, your gracious invitation that you have extended to us. We reserve for us on this evening the pleasure to declare our appreciation. H. Vieuxtemps." In fine condition. 8.25 x 5.25 inches (21 x 13 cm). Read More...