Unusual original press photograph of the superb fiddler, specialist in the 19th century bravura repertory. A student of Persinger, Piastro and Kulenkampff, Ricci has been widely acclaimed for his technical prowess and was the first to record the 24 Paganini Caprices in their original version. Ricci is shown here as a member of the musical family of Peter Ricci in Englewood, NJ, left to right: Lorraine, 13; Ruggiero, 10; Virginia, 6; Rosa, 16, standing behind; George, 10; and Emma, 6. Frederick, 20 months old, is leading his brothers and sisters. Press clipping on the verso notes that "Ruggiero is already famous on the concert stage as a violinist." A little wrinkled, else fine. 9.75 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 05-10-1932.
Autograph signature from the legendary pianist, boldly penned in red ink on a white card with an inscription to Dr. Fred Kemper, and dated Paris, October 5, 1966. One slight smudge to the inscription; overall in very fine condition. 5.75 x 4 inches (14.8 x 10.5 cm).
Autograph letter from the important French composer, regarding plans to attend a concert of Arthur Rubinstein, at which he premiered Poulenc's work Promenades. May 4, 1923. Poulenc writes (translated from the French): "Dear friend, I will be yours with pleasure on Monday—I will be there at 7:30 sharp, because I don't want to miss a note of Arthur's concert. For once we'll hear someone playing the piano well!..." Folding creases; overall in very fine condition. 8.25 x 10.5 inches (21 x 26.8 cm). Read More...
Signed photograph of the beloved pianist, shown as a younger man at the keyboard. He has signed and inscribed at the foot, dating Cleveland, November 28, 1940. Pen mark at the upper left; overall very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.4 cm).
Signed photograph of the Russian virtuoso violinist, inscribed to fellow Auer student Jaroslav Siskovsky. He is shown as a young man and has penned in white ink: "To my dear Mr. Jaroslav Siskovsky / in friendship from Toscha Seidel / N.Y. 29-5-21." A few surface creases, edge wear and overall toning; otherwise very good. 6 x 9.25 inches (15.2 x 23.4 cm). Read More...
Autograph letter from the hugely influential Bohemian violinist and pedagogue recommending his student Jaroslav Siskovsky, together with an original postcard photograph showing Sevcik sitting at an outdoor cafe in Písek, Bohemia. June 22, 1913. To Anton Machan, a Czech immigrant and musician who directed a music school in Cleveland, Ohio, Sevcik writes (translated from the Czech): "It gives me great pleasure to inform you that your former pupil Jar. Siskovsky is very industrious, is learning well and making great progress. Taking into account his outstanding talent I predict with certainty his development into an excellent virtuoso." Translation in another hand, likely Siskovsky's, on the inner page of the folded sheet. Toning and mounting remnants; overall fine. Letter 5 x 6 inches (12.5 x 15 cm), postcard 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14.3 x 9 cm). Read More...
Signed postcard portrait from the hugely influential Bohemian violinist and pedagogue, together with an original photograph of Sevcik with a group of acquaintances. Photograph dated on the verso: October 1, 1931. Light toning and tape remnants to the corners; overall fine. Postcard 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.6 x 13.9 cm), photograph 4.25 x 3.25 inches (11 x 8.5 cm). Read More...
Two concert programs from the fine English pianist Solomon Cutner, who performed under the single name "Solomon," and who here performed works by Brahms, Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin and by Bach/Liszt, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy and Rachmaninoff. One program dated October 13, 1938 (10 pp., staple binding detached, all covers and pages loose); second program undated (4 pp., some creases and wear). Overall in very good condition. 7.5 x 9.75 inches (18.7 x 25 cm) and 5.75 x 8.75 inches (14.6 x 22.5 cm).
Signed photograph of the Crimean-born American violinist, pianist, pedagogue, and conductor, inscribed to his colleague, the Czech-American violinist Jaroslav Siskovsky and dated September 17, 1916. Stassevitch is shown standing with a cigarette in his hand, and has inscribed at the lower right (translated from the French): "To my dear friend J. Siskovsky as a souvenir of my great friendship with him. P. Stassevitch, 17.9.16, Norway." A remnant of a caption at the head in Siskovsky's hand reads: "[my] most favorite colleague in Russia, Paul [Stassevitch]". Poor contrast to the inscription, and toning to the mount, with some further mounting remnants; overall very good. 6.75 x 9.25 inches (17 x 24 cm). Uncommon. Read More...
Signed candid photograph of the masterful violinist, shown ca. 1950's–1960's standing on a city sidewalk. He has signed boldly at the foot. Slight corner creases; overall very good. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9.5 x 15 cm).
131.
[Instrumentalists]
Suchy, Stefan.. Signed Photograph
Original cabinet photograph of violinist and pedagogue Stefan Suchy, a student of Sevcik who served as head of the violin department at the Prague Royal Academy of Music. He has signed and inscribed in Czech to Czech-American violinist Jaroslav Siskovsky, dating June 3, 1912. Photographed by V. Donat and J. Tomas of Prague. Heavy toning and mounting remnants; overall very good. 4 x 6.25 inches (10.4 x 16 cm). Read More...
Signed promotional photograph of the celebrated violinist. He is shown playing in front of a backdrop of enlarged music and has signed and inscribed at the left to cellist Yuan Tung: "For Yuan Tung in memory of the Casals Festival 1957 / cordially / Joseph Szigeti." Light toning to the margins and some light surface creases; overall fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 19.8 cm).
Two autograph letters from the American organist, pianist and composer, regarding plans for a performance. March 31, 1912 and April 9, 1912; 2 pp. and 1 p. In fine condition. 5 x 6.5 inches (13 x 16.3 cm).
Original souvenir program from two concerts given by Alfred Cortot, Jacques Thibaud and Pablo Casals on May 21 and 22, 1932, to benefit the Comité National Eugène Ysaye. Given in Brussels a year after Ysaye's death, the concerts honored his memory as a legendary violinist and the founder of the Concerts Ysaye. With the Orchestre Symphonique de Bruxelles, the program included Beethoven's triple concerto and Brahms' double concerto, as well as works by Ysaye and Casals. The program features a striking cover design with photographs of Ysaye and the performers, and further photographs, reproduction drawings and images of musical manuscripts. Some light toning and rusting to the staples, but overall in very fine condition. [36] pp. 8.5 x 10.5 inches (21.7 x 27 cm).
Signed postcard photograph of the important violinist, composer and conductor, dated 1906. Ysaÿe is shown holding his violin in a relaxed pose, and has signed at the head: "Remembrance of E. Ysaÿe / 1906." Addressed and postmarked on the verso in Ysaÿe's hand to a Miss Mabel Rose. Area of ink smudging to the signature; corner creases; overall very good. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm). Read More...
Beautiful Consoli postcard photograph of the great soprano as Norma in the famed 1950 Catania production, signed and inscribed boldly across the foot of the image in blue ink. In very fine condition. 6 x 4 inches (15 x 10.6 cm).
Original program from La Divina's London debut at the Royal Opera House on November 8. 1952. Callas starred as Norma with veteran mezzo Ebe Stignani as Adalgisa, in a performance which also featured the young Joan Sutherland as Clotilde. 4 pp. Mounting remnants on last page; overall in fine condition. 8.5 x 11.25 inches (21.6 x 28.5 cm). Read More...
138.
[Opera]
Caruso, Enrico. (1873-1921). "I am, after all, Caruso and he is Bonci and between the two of us there's an abyss" - Autograph Letter about his Metropolitan Opera Debut
An important autograph letter from the great tenor to Pasquale Simonelli, the Italian-American banker and impresario who was instrumental in bringing Caruso to the Metropolitan Opera for the first time. Buenos Aires, June 15, 1903. Caruso apologizes to Simonelli for some misunderstandings over their contract negotiations for the Metropolitan Opera, caused by their telegram communications, and explains the other engagements he is juggling in Montecarlo. He goes on to mention his animosity with rival tenor Alessandro Bonci: "I cannot conceal the fact that I do not look favorably on Bonci's being engaged, not because I'm afraid of him as an artist—I am, after all, Caruso and he is Bonci and between the two of us there's an abyss—but because he's not a very decent fellow." Finally, he states his preferences for the operas that he would like to perform, and not perform, at the Met: "... I can do them in the second year, if, that is, these gentlemen decide that they like me. I believe that they will, because one doesn't come over for nothing." [Full translation below.] 4 pp. written on 2 sides of 2 leaves, letterhead of the Splendid Hotel Ex-Frascati, Buenos Aires. Both leaves with heavy wear, splits to folding creases, and large edge losses, unfortunately affecting the text in many places and obscuring the signature; overall good. 8 x 11 inches (21 x 28 cm). Condition issues notwithstanding, a letter of historic importance. Read More...
An original self-portrait by the great tenor (also an accomplished caricaturist) depicting himself both facing forward and in profile. In the lower sketch, he has added air—or perhaps a musical phrase—coming from his mouth. He has signed boldly at the right. Accomplished in pencil on letterhead of the Hotel Cecil in London. N.d. Heavy toning; folding crease with a slight split at the right; overall very good. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 17.8 cm).
An original sketch of the Polish-born Jewish scholar, journalist, lawyer and writer, as captured by his friend, the great tenor Enrico Caruso (also an accomplished caricaturist). De Castro is shown in half-profile with his distinctive mustache, sketched in pencil. On a piece of notepaper with a large triangle cut away at the upper left. Heavy toning and folding creases; overall very good. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 17.7 cm). Unsigned, but originally sold with a related signed Caruso sketch in the same format.