Original concert poster from an important early performance of works - in particular, electronic music works - by Edgar (here "Edgard") Varèse, John Cage, Richard Maxfield, Morton Feldman, and others. Featuring pianist David Tudor and cellist David Soyer, the concert took place at the Village Gate on April 26, [1958] and included the American premiere of Varèse's Poème Electronique (the world premiere had taken place at the 1958 Brussels World Fair.) Also premiered were Richard Maxfield's Electronic Score from "Stacked Deck," Morton Feldman's Composition for Piano, and Walter Guttman's Computor [sic] Music. Old folds with some light edge wear, two tape ghosts to edges, otherwise in very good condition. 12 x 9 inches (30.5 x 22.8 cm).
Venezia: Dalla Tipografia di Giuseppe Molinari. [1846]. First Edition. Attila. Dramma Lirica in un Prologo e tre Atti. Poesia di Temistocle Solera, Musica di Giuseppe Verdi, da rappresentarsi nel Gran Teatro La Fenice nella Stagione di Carnavale e Quadragesima del 1845-46. The singers listed under "Artisti" are Ignazio Marini, Natale Costantini, Sofia Loewe, Carlo Guasco, Ettore Profili, and Giuseppe Romanelli. 28 pp. Original green wrappers, in very fine and crisp condition. 4.5 x 7.25 inches (11.5 x 18.2 cm). Only one copy in the United States (Pierpont Morgan) recorded by WorldCat. Melisi 228; Chusid, p. 24. Read More...
An original signed document from the important composer, confirming the receipt of 2,879.47 marks from Carl Voltz of the theatrical agents Volts and Batz, Wiesbaden. Wagner has signed at the lower right and dated Bayreuth, January 15, 1877 (the winter after the first Bayreuth Festival). 4.25 x 10.75 inches (10 x 27 cm). Folding creases; otherwise in fine condition. Handsomely framed together with a portrait of Wagner. Read More...
84. Wagner, Richard. (1813–1883). Grand festival march, for the opening of the Centennial [...] arranged for piano by Theodore Thomas.
Cincinnati: John Church & Co.. c. 1876. Grand festival march, for the opening of the Centennial, commemorative of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America ; composed; and dedicated to the Women's Centennial Committees, by Richard Wagner ; arranged for piano by Theodore Thomas. Original sheet music to the piano reduction of Wagner's march composed to commemorate the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence (also known as the Grosser Festmarsch.) Facsimile dedication from Wagner printed on the front wrapper; internally a facsimile of a statement by Elizabeth Gillespie, the commissioner of the work. 19 pp. Ownership stamp and signature to the front wrapper; one large tear to the front wrapper, with toning and light edge wear; spine repaired with thread. Overall very good. 11 x 14 inches. Read More...
Signed 1954/5 concert program from the great piano virtuoso, who performed sonatas by Mozart and Beethoven, Brahms' Variations on a Theme of Paganini, and works by Chopin and Liszt in a touring program. He has signed boldly over the works listing in pencil. Folding crease; overall very good. 6.25 x 9.5 inches (15.8 x 24 cm).
Signed photograph of the important Hungarian violinist and pedagogue, inscribed to his student Jaroslav Siskovsky "in remembrance of his sojourn in Russia" and dated Christiania [Norway], July 20, 1917. Auer's summer masterclass took place in Christiania during the World War I years. Toning, some surface and edge wear, mount heavily toned. Overall very good. 6.75 x 8.75 inches (17 x 22 cm). Read More...
Two signed photographs from the concert pianist, later the wife of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and an important philanthropist in the field of music. She is shown ca. 1920's and has inscribed one photograph to tenor Lawrence Strauss, dating London, July 11, 1928, and the other photograph to "my beloved Sally & Laurie," dating March 15, 1929. First photograph stamped on the verso by photographer Lenare of London, with some surface wear and corner creases, overall very good; second photograph fine. 8 x 10 inches (20 x 25 cm).
88.
[Instrumentalists]
Bauer, Harold. (1873–1951). "The 'Papillons' of Schumann...is in my opinion a finer composition than the 'Carnaval'" - Autograph Letter
An interesting autograph letter from the English violinist-turned-pianist, founder of the Beethoven Association and longtime professor at the Manhattan School of Music. New York, January 26, 1924. Writing to a Miss Hillard, Bauer discusses the details of the program for a piano recital he will perform. [Text below.] 2 pp. Light overall toning and one paperclip mark; overall fine. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.6 x 28 cm). Read More...
Signed program page from the great Austrian pianist, who performed at Carnegie Hall on May 1, 1977. He has signed boldly over the program listing, of four early Beethoven piano sonatas. 4 pp. total taken from a larger program. Lightly wrinkled and toned; overall very good. 8.25 x 11 inches (20.8 x 27.8 cm).
Original photograph signed by all four members of the important string quartet, ca. 1944–1949. The photograph shows the group in action and has been inscribed at the head, with each member signing below his image: first violinist Josef Roisman, second violinist Edgar Ortenberg, cellist Mischa Schneider and violist Boris Kroyt. Ortenberg played with the group from 1944 to 1949. Photographers' stamps and typed caption to the verso; left edge stained; toning; overall fine. 10 x 8 inches (26 x 20.3 cm).
Original photograph of the important Catalan cellist and composer and his wife Marta Casals, ca. 1960's. Casals is shown seated, smoking his pipe and holding the hand of his much younger wife. Color snapshot in very fine condition. 3 x 4.5 inches (7.9 x 11.7 cm). Read More...
Original photograph of the great Catalan cellist and composer, shown with his instrument in a relaxed pose, ca. 1950's–60's. Stamped on the verso by photographer Genovese of Vernet-Les-Bains. One slight nick over Casal's head and some light edge wear; overall fine. 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm).
Signed photograph of the great Catalan cellist and composer, shown with his instrument ca. 1950's–60's. He has signed "Pablo" at the foot. Stamped on the verso by photographer Genovese of Vernet-Les-Bains. Poor contrast to the signature, with some surface nicks and wear; overall very good. 3.5 x 5 inches (9 x 12.8 cm).
Reprints of two early photographs of the great Catalan cellist and composer, one signed "Pablo" in the image (printed in the negative and not hand signed). Fine. 5 x 6.25 inches (12.4 x 15.8 cm) and 5 x 7 inches (12.6 x 17.7 cm).
Typed letter with a facsimile signature from the great cellist, soliciting donations for Spanish Refugee Aid. 1 p., undated [1965]. In fine condition. 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 21.6 cm).
Spanish Refugee Aid was founded in 1953 to help victims of the Spanish Civil War who had fled to France. Casals served as the organization's honorary chairman.
A very interesting letter from the great French pianist, mentioning Belgian pianist Emile Bosquet and expressing his pleasure that the new long-playing records will allow musicians to play at more comfortable tempos! Lausanne, January 4, 1950. To a Mr. Van der Spek in Brussels, Cortot writes (translated from the French): "The new method of recording you spoke to me about was in fact brought to my attention in England, but I was also informed that it will undoubtedly be necessary to await the exhaustion of the old discs before being able to benefit by the progress which will allow music to no longer be forced to lie on Procrustes' bed because of timing limits!" (Full text below.) 3 pp., very neatly penned on a bifolium, in very fine condition. Together with the original envelope. 6 x 8.25 inches (15.5 x 21 cm). Read More...
97.
[Instrumentalists]
D’Aranyi, Jelly. (1893–1966). Autograph Letter about her sister, Adila Fachiri ("The violin she plays on was Joachim's. He played on it for about 40 years")
Autograph letter from the great Hungarian violinist to an admirer, mentioning her close relationship with her sister, violinist Adila Fachiri. October 1, [1930]. D'Aranyi writes: "Dear Mr. Williams, I am so very sorry I haven't thanked for your very charming letter before now. I was both busy and lazy. You must forgive me. Adila and I are sisters—the most adoring sisters too. She is married to a barrister, and [?] in her house. Adila is the most wonderful person. The violin she plays on was Joachim's. He played on it for about 40 years. We are giving a joint recital on Nov. 8th at the Wigmore Hall. If you happen to be there, will you come and speak to us after the concert? I am very very glad, if our music gives you pleasure. Yours very sincerely, Jelly D'Aranyi." On letterhead of Corsham Court, Wiltshire (D'Aranyi adds a note stating that she is staying there temporarily.) 6 pp. Folding creases; overall fine. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.2 x 17.7 cm). Read More...
Rare signed postcard photograph from the great Hungarian violinist, who is shown holding her instrument in an elegant dress and necklace and has signed boldly over the image, dating July 1918. Addressed and postmarked July 10, 1918 with a personal note on the verso in D'Aranyi's hand. Silvering to the image and poor contrast to the signature; mounting remnants on verso; overall very good. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm). Signed photographs of D'Aranyi are very scarce. Read More...
Signed photograph of the great violinist known for his sensuous and infinitely expressive tone. He is shown holding his violin on his lap, and has signed at the foot. Stamped on the verso: "Carmen / Reproduciones Fotograficas." Light edge wear and mounting remnants to verso; overall fine. 3 x 5.25 inches (7.9 x 13.4 cm).
Two autograph statements from the Romanian composer and the important American-born British violinist, each complimenting the other and hoping for a better future for their countries. Menuhin writes: "I owe a great debt to Roumania in the person of Georges Enesco. May his beautiful soul lead the land to happier days. Yehudi Menuhin, May 26, 1945." Apparently responding to this statement, Enesco writes (translated from the French): "Yehudi is a rare artist and being, but his friendship makes him exaggerate my modest merits. I take this opportunity to wish again for peace among men. Georges Enesco, 1947." 22 x 17 cm; 21.5 x 10.5 cm. Lightly toned, else fine. Read More...