Two photographs of the great Russian composer, ca. 1930 and 1950, both printed later. Later image showing him with an unidentified man, the second, a solo portrait with Bolshoi Theatre stamp on the verso, used for promotional purposes by a NY-based Bolshoi theatre representative in the 1990s. Irregularly trimmed, creases to corners, some marks to surfaces, else fine. Approx. 4.5 x 5.5 inches (11 x 15 cm).
Solid bronze portrait medal by Elisa Beetz Charpentier (1875 - 1949). 50 mm (2 inches); 70 grams; 5 mm (edge/relief). Ravel is shown in profile looking to the right. The verso shows a musical excerpt with two frogs hopping onto the staves, referencing the composer's "Histoire Naturelle" on the poems of Jules Renard. With the artist's monogram lower right both sides, recto with the year MCMXXX. In very fine condition. CGMP Vol. 3, p. 36; Niggl 1654. 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.
ALS of the Austrian-American composer, founder and head of the Second Viennese School, to an undisclosed male recipient, probably at a music publisher. February 19, 1934, corrected to "1935" in another hand. In German. 1 p. Personal letterhead paper with the address of 5860 Canyon Cove, Hollywood, California. In full: "The music you sent me is not what I need. Ideally, I would have a melody (dance song or something like that), if possible at all with some (2–5) strophes of text and if possible at all, American. In variations, I want to write a small motet-like piece but on a closed, extended melody (16–24 measures; bipartite to tripartite). Should I return the music? / Within days I will send you an errata list for the Suite, the first; it must be taken into account when the parts are copied. Could you have the parts revised by a good, educated musician who, if in doubt, could query me (query list, as I will send you one). / My full score is unfortunately not written particularly well. Will you have it copied, or will you engrave immediately? Could I then get a copy by early March? It not not have to be; I only ask, just in case. / Most cordial regards, Yours, Arnold Schoenberg." 11 x 8.5 inches (27.5 x 21.5 cm). Read More...
TLS of the Austrian-American composer, founder and head of the Second Viennese School, to his former student and son-in-law Felix Greissle at G. Schirmer, New York. July 17, 1944. In English. 1 p. Schoenberg's personal handstamp to left head with address of 116 N. Rockingham Ave., Los Angeles, California. In part: "Though my letter to Mr. Reese, by naming only the condition that the publication of my orchestration of Carl Engel[']s Triptych must be guaranteed by Schirmers, makes it quite clear, I feel I should mention it in a formal manner: / I do not ask for a fee for this work. / I do not know why the Goldmann Band does not perform my variations this summer. / I am doubtful whether under thee circumstances one should leave the 'Uraufführung' to him." Extended note to right head in pencil, erased and probably lost. 11 x 8.5 inches (28 x 21.5 cm). Read More...
New York: G. Schirmer. ca. 1934. First Edition (1st issue; only known copy). Full score of the arrangement, in manuscript facsimile, from the Collection of Dimitri Mitropoulos. Oblong folio, spiral bound in textured green boards. Photographic reproduction of autograph score by Presto Reproduction, New York (see hand stamp to final page). No PN. No title page; titling to first page of music. 46 pp. From Mitropoulos's personal collection. Stamp to lower margin of front page identifies the score as property of G. Schirmer, Inc., for rental only. 13.5 x 18.5 x inches (34.5 x 47 cm). Reproduction is excellent, but manuscript had defects before reproduction; most notably, last two measures are partly lacking. Light wear to edges, else in fine condition. Read More...
46. Schubert, Franz. (1797–1828). [D. 779 no. 18–34] Valses sentimentales pour le Piano-Forte... Oeuv. 50 Cah. 2
Vienna: Diabelli & Comp. [1825]. First Edition. Unbound oblong folio. Engraved. PN D. et C. No. 2074. 11 pp. Title in French. Blindstamp of C. F. Hientisch, Breslau [now Wrocław, Poland] to foot of title. 10.25 x 13.25 inches (26.2 x 33.7 cm). Rebacked in paper, spine largely separated; inner bifolia detached at spine. Browned and somewhat brittle, with frayed edges and minimal loss; some soiling. A rare lifetime edition of one of the composer's most popular works. Read More...
TLS by the "March King" to the eminent American music scholar, c/o G. Schirmer, New York. December 6, 1917. 1 p. Letterhead paper of U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois. In full: "Many thanks for the two copies of the 'STAR SPANGLED BANNER'. I am making an instrumentation for band on this authorized version and a publisher has already applied to me asking to print the version. What shall I and what can I do? Very sincerely yours, John Philip Sousa, Lieutenant , USRNF." 10.5 x 8 inches (26.5 x 20 cm). Read More...
New York: Boosey & Hawkes. [ca. 1949]. [K-V 47]. Œdipus Rex Opéra-Oratorio en deux Actes d'après Sophocle Opera-Oratorio in two Acts after Sophocles par I. Strawinsky et J. Cocteau Réduction pour Chant et Piano par l'Auteur Reduction for Read More...
An interesting set of two typed letters signed by the composer addressed to the Dutch musicologist Salomon Andrianan Maria [S.A.M.] Bottenheim (1880 - 1957), general secretary of the Nederlandsche Koorvereniging, and secretary of the conductor Willem Mengelberg at the Concertgebouw. The letters are concerning, explicitly or by context, the premiere of Stravinsky's Violin Concerto, which was first promised to the Concertgebouw but finally premiered in Berlin. In the first (1 page. Letterhead of 167. Boulevard Carnot, Nice. May 5, 1930; 8vo. on thin paper, two hole punches to left edge, folds, overall fine), Stravinsky complains of a lack of response from Bottenheim and asks him "Why do you force me to provide you with heads of Pasteur? [the French postage stamp with portrait of Louis Pasteur] Do you collect them?...if you decide to respond to me, I ask you to please write to me at Pleyel in Paris, where I am traveling tomorrow. In so waiting, please receive, dear Mr. Bottenheim, my friendly regards, even if you absolutely don't deserve them." In the second letter (1 page. Letterhead of 167. Boulevard Carnot, Nice. December 27, 1930; 8vo. on thin paper, marked "copy" in ink by Stravinsky who also adds the address of the Lotti-hotel, two hole punches to left edge, small tears and separations around edges, else fine), the composer advises Bottenheim of his unanswered telegram of one week earlier reporting that the Violin Concerto premiere had already been fixed in Berlin but that he wished to maintain the planned concerts in Holland and expresses his concern that perhaps the lack of a reply indicated that he had not received the telegram. He concludes by stating that it is "of capital importance for me to confirm that his engagements in Holland will be maintained" so that he can fix the date for the premiere in Berlin. He "waits impatiently for your answer and hopes that you will not put me, with prolonged incertitude by your silence, in a most disagreeable situation." Each letter approx. 27.4 x 21.4 cm. Provenance: Pierre Boulez Collection. Read More...
Original F Mulnier of Paris CDV photograph of the French composer best known for his operas Mignon and Hamlet and as Director of the Conservatoire de Paris from 1871 until his death. Fine. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.4 x 10.7 cm).
An intriguing grouping of eight rare early and first edition separate number piano-vocal or pianoforte solo (2) scores, as follows. All oblong folio, 38.5 x 27 cm or 35.5 x 26 cm (Rigoletto); scattered minor foxing, generally fine - very fine. Of particular note are the four numbers issued by Fabricatore from Alzira. The opera was first staged in Naples and Ricordi's edition did not appear until 1846, making these almost certainly the first and unreported issues of the opera. Hopkinson notes that in the 1846 Ricordi edition, the Fabricatore are given as Verdi's agents or distributors in Naples but that "I have not encountered any of their publications" (Bibliography of Giuseppe Verdi, p. 42). Read More...
Typed letter signed from the important Brazilian composer to Gretl Urban, Vice President of Associated Music Publishers, New York, NY. Rio de Janeiro, July 1, 1946. In English. 1 p. Letterhead paper of the Brazilian Ministério de Educação e Saúde (Ministry of Education and Science). Villa-Lobos recommends Brazilian composer and conductor Eleazar de Carvalho, then still young and rather unknown, to his publisher. He wants to assist his compatriot with an upcoming conducting tour in the U.S. and asks his correspondent to lend him some scores at no fee "although I know you can rent that orchestra's material." Oblong format. Browned and brittle. 6.5 x 8 inches (16.5 x 20 cm). Read More...
Two typed letters signed from the important Brazilian composer to Gretl Urban, Vice President of Associated Music Publishers, New York, NY. Read More...
North Hollywood [Los Angeles]: Radio-Active Music Publishing. 1951. Edition of a humorous song, inscribed by Fred Waugh, one of its three credited authors. Piano arrangement credited to Scott Seely. Quarto. 12 x 9 inches (30.5 x 22.9 cm). 6 pp. Attractive cover art: Two young women looking at a stylish convertible car (with $ hood ornament!) driven by a man with less than attractive features. Inscription to title: "Best of Luck Judy, and no aspersions about you in our ditty – Sincerely Fred Waugh." Slightly worn and creased, with small tear to pp. 3-4, and in good condition overall. Read More...
Paris: Octobre, 1958. Signed copy of the seventeenth edition of this multimedia monthly. Comb-bound in color pictorial printed wrappers. Nine leaves (unpaginated), with 6 flexi disc records bound in (as published). Inscription by the Italian violinist, then nineteen years old, to fol. 7 recto, which features a brief article on him by Roger de Roquancourt. Almost square format, 7.25 x 7.5 inches (18.5 x 19 cm). Small ink stain to back cover; else in very good condition. Certainly the most unusual Accardo autographed item we've encountered! Read More...
Signed program of a concert of the Orchestre symphonique de Lyon, October 30, 1960. Unpaginated bifolium. The signature of the Italian violinist, who later also took up conducting, is to head of fol. 2 recto. 8.25 x 5.25 inches (21 x 13.5 cm). Skewed horizontal fold; else in fine condition. Read More...
Signed Toppo of NY photograph of the pianist, a student of von Sauer and Schnabel and known especially for performing the complete sonatas by Franz Schubert in London and New York in 1938, when they were rarely played. Signed and inscribed in 1942 to Harry Friedgut (1901-1975), managing director of the New York City Center of Music and Drama. Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm).
Attractive grouping of ten original publicity photographs of the great Chilean-born pianist, ca. 1940–1970s. Overall in fine condition, with some minor toning and one photograph irregularly trimmed. Each 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Stylish portrait photograph of the celebrated Greek pianist, who has boldly signed her name in blue felt tip. "S. Hurok Presents" stamp and typed caption reading "Gina Bachauer - signed after her recital in Symphony Hall, Boston, Mass. on February 27th, 1969" to verso. In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Original photograph of the great German pianist, who is shown seated with an open musical score. Slight toning and wear to edges/corners, stamps to verso; overall fine. 5 x 7 inches (13 x 18 cm.).