Autograph letter from the he notable German composer, pianist, editor, and teacher, pupil of Franz Liszt and one of the most distinguished pianists of his generation. March 18, 1892. Writing to the English music critic and pedagogue Herman Klein, Klein asks him to publish in the Sunday Times that "on the 17th last it was 50 years that I gave my first public concert in Vienna (17th March 1842), in which I played a concerto with orchestral accompaniments of my own composition. As I am here in England since 40 years & have always been as active as possible, you may imagine that I had during this time hundred & hundreds of pupils & as I was at all times on the best & most cordial terms with them, they are sure to take an interest in an event which can only happen once in a man's life." 3 pp. on black-bordered letterhead; folding creases and some light wear; overall in fine condition. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.3 x 17.7 cm).
Attractive 10 x 8 inch photograph of the great guitarist, boldly signed, inscribed and dated 1948 in blue ink. Crease to lower left corner, some light surface scratches and surface creases, small ink stain along left margin, else fine.
Autograph note in the hand of the important twentieth-century pianist. On a small folded sheet, he has penned: "To the children of the Settlement and Day Care Center of the Salvation Army, with all best wishes! Rudolf Serkin. October 22nd, 1965. Guilford, VT." Band of toning at the foot; overall fine. 5.25 x 7 inches (13.6 x 17.8 cm). Together with a photocopy of Serkin's obituary.
Early signed photograph of the important twentieth-century pianist, who has signed and inscribed at the upper right, dating December 6, 1942. Photographer's signature and number at the lower corners. Area of red rubbing at the lower left; otherwise overall in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.5 cm).
An interesting group of 9 original concert programs from the important Russian pianist, dating from the 1920's to the 1930's in the United States. Included are programs from Jan. 19, 1922 (concert with the New York Symphony in Philadelphia); Mar. 14, 1922 (concert with the New York Symphony and Walter Damrosch at the Elmwood Music Hall, Buffalo); Nov. 19, [1922] (solo recital at Aeolian Hall); Dec. 6, 1922 (solo recital at the Chromatic Club, Buffalo); Dec. 17, 1922 (recital of Bach sonatas at Aeolian Hall with Paul Kochanski and George Barrère); Nov. 19–21, 1930 (concert with the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York and Arturo Toscanini at Carnegie Hall); Feb. 15, 1935 (performance with the Orchestra of the Juilliard School of Music); Nov. 7, 1936 (concert of Liszt with the Elizabeth Philharmonic Society and Olga Averino in Elizabeth, N.J.); and Oct. 31, [1932 or 1938?] (recital accompanying Olga Averino at Town Hall, New York). Also included is a promotional leaflet on Siloti and his piano transcriptions and arrangements, issued by Carl Fischer. One program missing outer page, with a pencil note on the verso; otherwise overall in fine condition. Read More...
Signed photograph of the masterful violinist, inscribed and signed in 1945 at the start of his long career. Dated on the verso in pencil in another hand. 8 x 10 inches, a crisp image in very fine condition.
Graphically attractive vintage poster advertising "String Instruments" for sale, with red lettering on a blue background. Ca. 1940. 34 x 11 inches. In very fine condition.
Signed photograph of the celebrated violinist, boldly inscribed and dated 1944. 8 x 10 inches. Two tiny nicks to right margin, else in very fine condition.
Original carte de visite photograph of the great violinist, signed and inscribed on the verso to the violinist Hermann Sternberg and dated Paris, 1866. Photographed by Mulnier of Paris, with the photographer's insignia on the verso. 6.5 x 10 cm. Small loss to upper left corner of photograph, scattered light handling stains, else fine. Read More...
Signed carte de visite photograph of the noted pianist and teacher, brother of violinist Henri Vieuxtemps. He has signed and inscribed on the verso to Belgian violinist Herman[n] Sternberg and dated October 26, 1865. Photographed by Hector de Saedeler of Brussels, with the photographer's insignia on the verso. 6.5 x 10 cm. SScattered light handling stains, else fine.
132.
[Instrumentalists]
[Violin]. "Playing on Feelings" - Original Drawing on a Doily
Charming original drawing of a musical scene, skillfully executed on a lace-edged doily and bearing the caption: "Playing on Feelings / Enthusiastic Maiden: 'Oh, Mr. Lovell, I'd sooner be a good violinist than anything, wouldn't you?' Modest Youth: 'Well. If you were the violinist I think I'd–a–sooner be the violin." A few spots of browning and one small damage to the lace; overall in fine condition. 9 inches (23 cm) in diameter. Ca. 1860.
Autograph signature from the Austrian pianist known for his continued success after losing his right arm in the First World War, and for commissioning several major piano works for the left hand alone. He has signed boldly (with a left-handed slant) on a large album leaf and dated January 5, 1932. Toning; upper edge slightly rough; overall in fine condition. 8 x 12 inches (21 x 31 cm).
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[Instrumentalists]
[Violin]. 1914 Playing Cards and Violins Calendar
An original 1914 calendar featuring a clever rebus message from violinist W. F. Dugan spelled out in words and hands of playing cards. "The [King of Hearts] of Violinists / Work [straight], not a [four-flush]er / And sure fire / whether I work to [pairs] or [full houses] / I read the [Queen]'s and [King]'s thoughts in music [...] -in-and-write-me." This inspirational message is described as an "Inspirito Violinae." 7.25 x 9.5 inches. Read More...
Autograph signatures from the two important German conductors Furtwängler and Heger and the great virtuoso pianist and composer Emil von Sauer, signed together on one large album leaf. Sauer has dated April 18, 1931. Toning; upper edge slightly rough; overall in fine condition. 8 x 12 inches (21 x 31 cm).
Autograph signature from the German conductor, best known for his performances of the music of Wagner, Bruckner and Strauss. He has signed boldly at the head of a large album leaf and dated January 14, 1932. Toning; upper edge slightly rough; overall in fine condition. 8 x 12 inches (21 x 31 cm).
Signed photograph of the eminent Russian conductor, composer and double-bassist, known for his long tenure as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He is shown in a half-length portrait and has signed at the foot. In very fine condition. 7.5 x 10 inches (19.1 x 25.4 cm).
Signed photograph of the the American conductor, pianist and composer of Greek birth. He has signed and inscribed at the foot and dated 1943. Photographed by Susan Hoeller, with photographer's stamp on the verso, numbered 319. In very fine condition. 8 x 9.75 inches (20.1 x 24.9 cm).
Uncommon signed postcard photograph of the important Austrian conductor and composer. He is shown during his tenure as the music director of the Karlsruhe Opera (1881 to 1903) and has signed boldly at the foot. Large colored pencil "X" to the verso; overall fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches. Read More...
Autograph signature from the important conductor, signed on an 1955 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts FDC. The envelope is stamped, addressed and postmarked, with the original contents (a change of address notification for the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions) still sealed inside. Another hand on the verso has dated the signature to 1980. In fine condition. 6.5 x 3.5 inches (16.5 x 9.3 cm). Read More...
Original photograph of the important conductor, boldly inscribed in white ink to noted art lecturer Rosamond Bernier Russell: "For Rosamond / Maestro." Photographed by Rembrandt Studios, Philadelphia; undated. Lightly silvered at edges (much less visible in person than in the scan). 7.5 x 9.5 inches. Read More...