London: J & W Chester Ltd. 1980. Signed score from the celebrated English composer, student of Boulanger and Ravel whose "own idiom is built from an overt melodic expression, usually rooted in tonality and allied to a fastidious command of harmony and orchestral texture." (Grove Music Online) 98 pp. Boldly signed on the title page. In very fine condition.
Rare pair of original Drury Lane payment receipts (7.5 x 19.3 cm) from performances by the celebrated English soprano. The first being a check in the amount of 105 Pounds, dated 16 March, 1802, signed R. Peake and by Elizabeth Billington on the verso, also including a manuscript history of the check in an another hand, dated May 1802. Affixed to this, an official receipt stating "Received 4th May 1802 of the Proprietors of Drury Lane Theatre by the Hands of Mr. Peake the sume of Three Hundred and Sixty Pounds Nineteen Shillings being the cash Received at said Theatre on Friday 30th April being Mrs. Billington's Benefit Night." The first check with the manuscript text on the verso: " April 30, 1802. At Drury Lane Theatre was performed, for Mrs. B's benefit, an Opera entitled 'Algonah' taken from 'The Cherokee' written by Mr. Cobb [and set to music originally by Storace. It has received considerable additions from Mr. Cobb], and Mr. Kelly has exterted himself to add new music worthy of the talents of the heroine of the piece. He has preserved the choruses, and every thing that was striking of Storace's, and has enriched it by several captivating compositions by later masters and by himself, which were very well received." These remarkable documents sold together with a period stipple engraving of Billington by Ridley / Cosway, issued by Vernor & Hood Poultry (!), Oct. 31, 1801 and measuring 12.5 x 21 cm. Read More...
A rare signed London Royal Festival Ticket from a November 14, 1952 recital by great Swedish tenor, regarded by many as the greatest tenor in history. Boldly signed in blue ink, and sold together with the complete original recital program.
London: Novello. 1946. Miniature full score. 199 pp. [PN] 17104. Inscribed by the composer on the first free endpage: "To Herman Linder, the perfect host with thanks from Arthur Bliss / March 25th 1955." Printed blue wrappers, a little toned but otherwise fine throughout. Read More...
Paris: Ancienne Maison Quantin/Librairies-Imprimeries Réunies. [1893]. First edition. (2), 30, (2)pp. 30 compositions by Bonnard, mostly printed in colors, integrated with and surrounding the texts and musical passages. Oblong 4to. Publisher’s dec. boards, 1/4 cloth, with full-cover illustrations by Bonnard on both front and back. Read More...
Early signed photograph of the Russian pianist who studied with Leschetizky and Busoni and who was famed in particular for his Chopin cycles. Signed and inscribed and dated Paris, 1928. 12 x 18 cm and in very fine condition.
Scarce signed Russian program printed in Cyrillic from a 1953 recital by the marvelous French pianist, a student of Philipp, Sauer, Cortot and Koczalski whose sensational career was tragically cut short after a car accident in which she suffered a fracture of the skull, lateral paralysis and an irreversible injury to her right hand. Horizontal crease, indentations along the left edge, else fine.
Signed postal cover from the composer who experimented with the nature of sound and devised new systems of musical notation. His innovative ideas on composition and performance influenced musicians, painters, and choreographers. First day cover with the George Gershwin commemorative stamp and a metallic cachet, signed by Cage. An interesting and unusual association. Together with a humorous caricature print by David Levine.
Incredible souvenir album devoted to the great soprano. Oblong 4to, 21.5 x 30 cm, including 45 original unsigned photographs 1950-1965, different formats, mostly 15 x 10.5 cm, most original photographs by Erio Piccagliani. She is shown in many of her greatest roles, including in Norma, Tosca, Anna Bolena, Medea, Il Trovatore, La Gioconda etc. Various press clippings are also included. A remarkable collection.
Luminous original Erio Piccagliani photograph of Callas as Amina in the 1955 Luchino Visconti La Scala production of Bellini's "La Sonnambula" directed by Leonard Bernstein, boldly signed and inscribed in purple ink. 12.5 x 18 cm. Slight mounting traces to corners, overall in fine condition.
Stunning original Luxardo photograph, signed in thick blue ink by Callas. This portrait was made for her US debut album (Tosca, Norma and Lucia), but it is an ersatz costume as she hadn't yet sung the role in the theater. Mounting traces on verso, overall in very fine condition. 10 x 15 cm.
Original etching, executed in 1959 for the cover of the Saturday Review, pencil signed and numbered "PP II/II" [printer's proof] in the margin with the embossed ES stamp lower right. 12.75 x 9.5 (image) inches, 20.75 x 14.75 inches overall and in very fine condition.
Rare signed 8 x 10 inch glossy photograph of the beloved American vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of sister Karen and brother Richard Carpenter. The Carpenters were the #1 selling American music act of the 1970s. During a period in the 1970s when louder and wilder rock was in great demand, Richard and Karen produced a distinctively soft musical style that made them among the best-selling music artists of all time. Karen was a drummer of exceptional skill, but she is best remembered for her vocal performances of idealistic romantic ballads of true love. The Carpenters signature song is "We've Only Just Begun" which remains a popular wedding ballad. Karen suffered from anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder of extreme weight loss dieting, a little-known illness at the time, and although she had begun recovery, she died at the age of 32. Read More...
Short letter with friendly content in German, on a card, signed "Teresa Carreno." 26 May, 1902. A scarce letter from the great Venezuelan pianist/composer/conductor/singer to the distinguished Moravian violinist. An interesting association. Read More...
Oil on wood painting of an cellist, unsigned. Undated, probably second half of the 19th century. In 17th/18th century period costume, the cellist is shown with his instrument seated at a music stand, open music books on the floor around his feet. 6.25 x 8.75 inches. Set in a modern frame,12.4 x 10 inches overall.
Signed halftone photograph from the great Russian basso, dated 1928. Removed from a program and mounted on hard backing. 16 x 20 cm. and in very good condition.
Autograph letter, signed "L. Cherubini," from the Italian-born composer who spent most of his working life in France and whom Beethoven regarded as the greatest of his contemporaries. 1 page, 8vo. On letterhead of the Paris Conservatoire de Musique, dated November 5, 1836. Addressed to Mr. Robert, Director of the Royal Theatre, in French, about obtaining the score and parts for the then five-year -old opera by Bellini, La Sonnambula. Signed “L. Cherubini.” A few scattered ink marks, notation in another hand at head, else fine. Read More...