Interesting manuscript collection of 18th century French drinking songs, accomplished in an unknown hand ca. 1750. The collection, titled "Dessus de Chansons propres a Boire," is a part book containing the melody and text to 33 songs, mostly dealing with the pleasures of drinking or the pains of love. No composers' or poets' names are given; however, several of the songs (noted below) are published in Recueil d'airs serieux et à boire de differents autheurs (Amsterdam: Estienne Roger, 1711). Complete first lines of the songs listed below. Elegantly penned over 8 staves per page in treble, soprano, alto, and bass clefs. Oblong, on laid paper, 32 pp. Titled on the front wrapper "Premiere Partie," with eight lines of calculations in pen on the wrapper; overall light foxing; wear to the wrappers with front wrapper partially detached and back free endpaper torn. Overall very good and internally fine. 10 x 7.5 inches (26 x 19 cm). Read More...
Typed letter signed from the important librettist and theatrical producer to playwright Edna Ferber, regarding a proposed TV series of their collaboration Show Boat. New York, May 27, 1954. 2 pp. on 2 leaves. Hammerstein writes: "Here is a sample 'pilot' of a first 'Show Boat' program of a series. CBS has financed the writing of this under one of their directors without any obligation to us, and it is my understanding that they will finance an actual pilot production of this script for us to see—also without any obligation to go any further if we don't like it [...] I thought it was a pretty good start from a narrative standpoint, but [...] I didn't believe the musical part had been handled very well." Discussing more details of the adaptation, he goes on to ask for Ferber's opinion, and thanks her for an anniversary gift. Light toning; overall very fine. 7 x 10 inches (18.1 x 25.4 cm). Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:TLSTheaterSong
Intriguing eighteenth-century musical manuscript titled "Chasse à courre" ("Riding to hounds") and containing music for hunting horn, to be played at particular occasions during a hunt, likely the royal hunt. 52 pp. of music, remaining pages blank. Oblong 8vo, contemporary marbled paper boards. Four lines of music per page, in an unknown but skilled hand. The pieces included are titled: “La Quête. Ton pour les chiens. - Première lancée quand les chiens vont bien. - Première vüe. La Requête. L'Oulvary. - Quand les chiens s'emportant. - Le Débuché. - Le Relancé. - Le Rapproché. - Quand le cerf est à l'eau. Quand le Cerf sort de l'eau. - Retraite Prisse. Et l'haly. - L'Appelle. La Retraite manquée. - Retraitte en fanfare. La Mort. Ladine. - La Choisy le Roy. - Fanfare. - Fanfare et premiers et seconds dessus," one adding at the foot: “à Madame”. Read More...
Original postcard photograph of the great Czech composer, who has boldly signed in brown ink "Leos Janacek" on the verso. Stamped by the photographer, Bromografia Brno, at the lower right. Mounting remnants to the verso; light silvering; overall fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.5 x 13.8 cm). Signed photographs of Janacek are very uncommon.
[New York]: [Robbins Music Corp.]. 1937. First edition. Upright folio (36 cm). 84 pp. Hardcover in black cloth boards. Inscribed by the author on the verso of the second ffe "To Jerome Kern / With my compliments / Arthur Lange." Light toning, some staining to the boards, but overall a very good copy with a remarkable inscription to one of America's most important composers. Read More...
Original cabinet photograph by Louis Held, showing Liszt in his study at Weimar two years before his death. 6.5 x 4.25 inches. Small stains and toning around the edges of the mount, corners lightly nicked, else fine.
Large ca. 1850's sammelband of piano works by Liszt, containing 19 separately issued early and first edition publications in folio (each approx. 10" x 13"). Light toning and foxing throughout, but overall in fine condition. Beautifully bound in modern red marbled boards, quarter green leather with crimson title plate to spine. Read More...
Autograph note in the hand of the important composer and conductor, written from the Alpine retreat of Schneeberg and making an arrangement to meet with a friend. 1 p., n.d. [1897–1907]. Translated from the German, in part: "Dear friend, I am coming back down from Schneeberg, where I (being badly in need of a rest) have spent a few days. And will expect you on Saturday in the course of the afternoon at my office. To a happy reunion. Yours, Mahler. [P. S.] It would be best if you could pick me up at 1:00!" On notecard with blindstamp at the head of the K.K. Hof-Operntheater (of which Mahler was the director from 1897 to 1907). 5 x 3.5 inches (13 x 9 cm). Framed together with a portrait. Verso with some notes in pencil. Read More...
An extremely rare early childhood CDV photograph of the great composer at age 3, shown wearing a checked coat and matching hat and riding a wheeled horse toy. A note on the verso in a contemporary hand reads: "Gustav Mahler—Iglau 1863." 6 x 10.2 cm. Scattered ink speckles, central and diagonal creases, including small losses along left edge and to one location within the image. The present photograph predates by two years the first image of the composer recorded in Roller "Die Bildnisse von Gustav Mahler" and is thus believed to be the earliest known photograph of Mahler. Read More...
Original single-sheet program from a January 28, 1900 concert by members of the Vienna Court and Opera Orchestra, under the direction of Gustav Mahler. The program featured Bruckner's Symphony no. 4, Mendelssohn's Overture to "Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt," and Wagner's Kaisermarsch. Also advertised at the foot is a February 18 performance of Beethoven's Ninth. Original programs from Mahler's illustrious Viennese tenure are quite scarce. In very fine condition. 6 x 9.25 inches (15 x 23.6 cm).
An attractive autograph signature and inscription from the important conductor particularly known for his connection with Gustav Mahler, commemorating the memorial concerts held for Mahler in November 1911, at which his work Das Lied von der Erde was premiered. On a lithograph postcard of the Karolinenplatz in Munich, after artist Carl Kunst (1884–1912), Walter has penned (translated from the German): "In remembrance of the Mahler memorial on November 20, 1911 and of Bruno Walter." Postmarked; slight damage to the left edge; overall fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 13.8 cm). Read More...
Signed photograph of the American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He is shown at the piano and has signed and inscribed in black marker. Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.8 cm).
London: Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew, Ltd.. [ca. 1910]. Vocal score of one of the most popular of all Italian operas, inscribed and signed by the composer on the title (translated from the Italian): "To dearest Signor Trossell / in grateful memory of the lyric season at the Hippodrome and as a sign of sincere esteem and friendship / P. Mascagni / London 24th March 1912" to title. Upright folio, 168 pp. [PN] 605. Crimson modern morocco-backed boards, spine gilt, 4to. Fine. Read More...
Remarkable autograph letter from the important composer, dedicating his Piano Quartet op. 1 to the Prussian aristocrat and musician Antoni Radziwiłł (Anton Heinrich Fürst von Radziwill). Dated Berlin, February 3, 1824, on Mendelssohn's fifteenth birthday, and addressed to "Ew. Durchlaucht" ("Serene Highness.") Mendelssohn writes (translated from the German): "[I] take the liberty, in consequence of the permission you most graciously granted me, to most obediently offer you the first work that I have published. May your Highness receive it with goodwill and indulgence." 22 x 26 cm. In fine condition. Read More...
Leipzig: Fr. Kistner. Small sammelband in two volumes (scores and violin parts) of a selection of Romantic pieces arranged for violin and piano. Included are: Mendelssohn's cello sonata no. 1, arranged by Ferdinand David; three duos on themes by Labarre, Schubert, and Donizetti, arranged by Charles de Bériot and Julius Benedict; and John Field's Nocture no. 5, arranged by violinist Alexandre Joseph Artôt as a "Romance." Complete works as follows: Read More...
Original visiting card with an autograph note from the French composer, organist, pianist, conductor and administrator whose stage compositions included ballets and 30 opéra comiques and operettas. On a card printed with his name and title, he has penned (translated from the French): "Bravo, old friend, my heartiest congratulations." In very fine condition. 3.5 x 2 inches (9 x 5.3 cm). Read More...
Typed manuscript of a book chapter, titled "A Difficult Voyage," signed on the last page by the important and prolific French composer. The text is a draft of or extract from chapter 12 of Milhaud's book My Happy Life (completed in 1972), and describes a wartime voyage with playwright and diplomat Paul Claudel from Brazil to New York. Milhaud served as a secretary to Claudel during his mission to Brazil in World War I. 6 pp. In very fine condition. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.3 x 28 cm).
58. [Porter, Cole. (1891–1964)]. Collection of Programs and Ephemera from the Yale Glee, Banjo and Mandolin Clubs, all featuring Cole Porter
An interesting collection of four 1911–1912 programs and two stickers from the Yale Glee, Banjo and Mandolin Clubs, from the estate of Cole Porter. The programs are dated January 16, 1911, April 7, 1911, June 19, 1911, and January 15, 1912, and list Porter as a second tenor in the Yale Glee Club, as well as the performer of a monologue, the soloist on the song "Perfectly Terrible," and the composer and lyricist of the song "The Motor Car." Also included are two stickers, one reading "P.A. Musical Clubs" and the other "Yale Apollo Glee, Banjo and Mandolin Association." Programs 5.5 x 6 inches and 7 x 5.25 inches; stickers 6 and 8 inches wide. Some light toning and wear to the programs, overall fine; stickers very good. Read More...
A brief but amusing typed letter signed from the great songwriter to his friend, the actor Monty Woolley. November 26, 1943. Porter writes: "Dear Mr. Woolley: That word 'ferocitrocities' is truly wonderful and I am going to do my best to use it in a lyric. Thank you very much indeed. Love, Cole." Folding creases and light toning; overall very fine. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.6 x 27.8 cm).
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:TLSSong
Autograph letter from the important French composer, rather forcefully asserting the insignificance of jazz in influencing European music, and stating that jazz did not affect the music of Maurice Ravel. On a card, 2 pp. (recto/verso) n.d. Translated from the French, in full: "Dear Sir, I will not write much, for I've already spent a lot of time telling you that jazz does not interest me at all. It has had almost no influence on European music, and it is not from it that the best Ravel comes; quite the contrary. To refer to it now makes me think of someone reading a newspaper from 1920. I hope that your health is better. Believe me, with cordial sentiments, Poulenc." 14 x 10.5 cm. Fine. Read More...