Signed photograph of the great pianist and composer, who is shown in profile and has signed ("S. Rachmaninoff") at the left. One corner crease and some very light surface wear; overall fine. Cropped at the upper edge, with the bottoms of the letters of the name "Rachmaninoff" slightly visible. Overall in fine condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.3 x 21.5 cm).
From the collection of pianist Helen Lorraine Wood (1900–1968).
Color photograph of the prolific and influential contemporary German composer, signed at the lower left and dated 2006. In very fine condition. 6 x 4 inches (15 x 11.4 cm). Read More...
Carte de visite photograph of the important opera composer, photographed by Carjat & co. of Paris. Rossini is shown seated, holding his walking stick. Fine. 2.5 x 4 inches (6 x 9 cm).
Group of seven original color 4 x 6 photographs of the Soviet/German composer and the Soviet/Russian conductor who recorded many of his works, who are shown at a party ca. 1990's with several friends. Four photographs show Rozhdestvensky seated with balloons in the background, talking and toasting; the other three photographs show Schnittke signing an item with Rozhdestvensky standing next to him, and the two men posing with other friends. In very fine condition. Each 6 x 4 inches (15.2 x 10.3 cm).
Autograph note from the important composer to the family of violinist Vasily Petrovich Shirinsky, a founding member of the Beethoven Quartet, to whose memory Shostakovich's Eleventh Quartet is dedicated. January 3, 1963. Shostakovich has penned (translated from the Russian): "My dear Nina Borisovna, Nina Vasilievna, Vasily Petrovich, Sasha, I am sending you my warmest greetings for the New Year. Be always healthy and happy. Love and kisses to all of you. Yours, D. Shostakovich." Left edge rough, somewhat yellowed; otherwise in fine condition. 14.5 x 20.5 cm. With the original envelope, 15.7 x 11.4 cm.
Signed photograph from the esteemed Soviet composer whose 15 symphonies and large body of chamber and instrumental works occupy a place of central importance in the 20th-century repertoire. Read More...
Autograph musical quotation from the "March King," who has penned seven measures of the theme from his "El Capitan" march, signed and dated July 3, 1921. On the verso, a further autograph musical quotation from Edgar Stillman Kelley, the American composer, conductor, teacher, and writer often associated with the Indianist movement in American music. He has written out a detailed ten measures from his piano quintet op. 20, and both he and his wife, Jessie Stillman Kelley, have signed and dated April 27, 1935. On a cardboard album leaf, with one large loss to a corner, light water staining, and some peeling of the outer layers away from the card. 13.25 x 10.25 inches (34 x 26 cm). Read More...
Original photograph of the important band composer and leader, shown at his typewriter working on his autobiography Marching Along ca. 1928. Press credit stamp and caption on the verso. Together with an original concert program from a Boston performance of Sousa and his Band on their 1925–1926 "Third of a Century Tour." Photograph with light toning and one small edge tear, overall fine; 8.5 x 6.5 inches (21.9 x 16.5 cm). Program, 4 pp., with heavy folding creases, soiling and some small losses; overall very good; 6.25 x 9.25 inches (15.5 x 23.3 cm).
Autograph letter from the English organist and composer, returning a proof for publication. January 7, [n.y.]. 1 p. Stainer writes: "Dear Sir—I can find no mistakes in the enclosed proof which I return, with my best thanks for the kind manner in which the notice is written. I am yours faithfully, John Stainer." Light toning, overall very fine. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 17.5 cm).
Original outline of Strauss' left hand, traced in pencil and boldly signed on an album leaf titled "Forget-Me-Not." Undated. An extremely rare and unusual memento from the important composer and conductor. Left edge rough; light overall toning; overall in fine condition. 7.5 x 10 inches (19 x 25.7 cm).
A pair of autograph signatures from the important composer and the violinist Samuel Dushkin, with whom he frequently performed and for whom he wrote his Violin Concerto and the Duo Concertante. Stravinsky and Dushkin have signed together on an album leaf, the composer dating Los Angeles, February 28, 1935. Some light toning but overall very fine. 8 x 12 inches (21 x 31 cm). Read More...
Original doubleweight Lipnitzky of Paris photograph of the important composer, signed and inscribed on an affixed paper to the French pianist Céliny Chailley-Richez and dated Paris, December 1929. Stravinsky is shown in a serious pose at the piano and has signed and inscribed in "all artistic sympathy" on a strip of paper mounted at the head of the photograph. Light toning; one area of damage with a small tear at the right edge; otherwise in fine condition. 10.25 x 7.5 inches (26.2 x 18.6 cm). Read More...
Oversized original portrait photograph of the smiling Russian composer, as photographed by the award-winning American photographer and photojournalist Leigh Wiener ca. 1960. Doubleweight semi-gloss print with photographer credit ink stamp and handwritten notations for reproduction on the verso. One large crease to the upper left corner and edge with a tape reinforcement and slight wear to the edges; otherwise a bold and crisp image in very good condition. 10.25 x 12.75 inches (32.6 x 25.9 cm).
Three autograph letters relating to the British composer best known for his collaborations on more than a dozen classic comic operas with librettist W. S. Gilbert. The first letter (July 29, [n.y.], 1 p.) from Charlotte Knollys, lady-in-waiting to Princess Alexandra, is addressed to Sullivan and accepts a copy of "The Musical Season." The two other letters are addressed to the English music critic, singing teacher and Gilbert & Sullivan authority Herman Klein. One, from Sullivan's secretary Walter Smythe (May 28, 1889, 2 pp.), apologizes for Sullivan's delay in replying to Klein and promises that "Sir Arthur has put forward your request in the proper quarter & as soon as he gets a reply he will write to you." The other, from American-born soprano Lucile Hill (June 14, [18]89, 3 pp.), reports: "What do you think? Sir Arthur and Mr. Carte have sent for me to meet them tonight on very important business indeed, and I must give up the opera. It is most trying, but am sure you understand quite well the importance of the situation. Sir Arthur is so hard to get at." One letter with considerable soiling, otherwise overall in fine condition. Each on a bifolium, 4.5 x 7 inches (11.3 x 17.7 cm). Read More...
Original CDV photograph of the important Russian composer, shown seated, resting his head on one hand. Photographed by Wesenberg of St. Petersburg. Slightly warped but otherwise in fine condition. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.5 x 10.5 cm).
Autograph note from the important American composer, penned at the foot of the typed letter to which it is a reply. May 14, 1969. Music professor William Jones of the State University College in Pittsburgh writes to ask if Thomson can put him in touch with the conductor Alexander Smallens for his research into pianist Alexander Borovsky. Thomson replies: "The last I knew, A. Smallens was living in Taormina, Sicily. Later still, (c. 1968) his son Alexander Smallens, Jr. was employed in broadcasting by WABC [...] I am sure a letter addressed to him there would reach his father." Folding creases; overall very fine, together with original envelope. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.7 x 28 cm).
A highly interesting and significant group of six autograph musical sketchbooks from the English composer who has gained particular recognition for his operas and as Composer-in-Residence with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. All six notebooks are identical 9 x 12.5 inch (21.5 x 31.5 cm) black leather manuscript composition books, 121 pp. Each is signed by Turnage on the title page. Written in pencil with occasional smudges, overall very legible and clean. Read More...
Original program from the April 26, 1951 premiere at the Royal Opera House of Ralph Vaughan Williams' opera The Pilgrim's Progress, based on John Bunyan's Christian allegory. Conducted by Leonard Hancock and produced by Nevill Coghill, the opera starred Inia Te Wiata and Arnold Matters. Some light toning; overall in fine condition. 8.5 x 11.25 inches (21.6 x 28.5 cm). Read More...
Signed Christmas card, ca. 1920's, from the important Hungarian violinist and pedagogue. On a printed card with a small design of the Magi, Auer has signed: "Many thanks for kind remembrance. L. Auer." Read More...
Signed poster from the beloved American composer and conductor, advertising a concert of the Vienna Philharmonic under Bernstein on November 5 1985 to benefit the Sigmund-Freund-Gesellschaft. Bernstein and Freud are shown caricatured facing one another above a rug-draped sofa. Bernstein has inscribed the poster to his assistant, the composer Jack Gottlieb, at the right in red marker: "For J. G. - Order from your Schrink(s): GET WELL! Love, LB / Xmas '85." Taped to the verso is a doctored photocopy of the upper half of the poster, with Freud's face replaced with another face (apparently Jack Gottlieb) and the inscription altered in red pencil to: "For LB—Order from your Schrink: GET WELL! Love, JG / Columbus Day '90." Bernstein died on October 14, 1990, just a week later. Poster mounted on same-size foam board. Some light soiling; pinholes in corners; overall fine. 17 x 25 inches (43 x 63 cm). Read More...