Extensive AMQS from the Italian pianist and composer, student of Liszt and Sgambati, who immigrated to the United States and established himself as a prominent cultural figure of New Orleans. Ferrata has penned fifteen measures for piano in E major, beginning in 6/8 with the tempo marking "Lentamente" and changing to 3/4 in the fourth measure. He has signed both his own name and "Casimiro Virowski," the Polish-sounding pseudonym he used for his early publications in Italy. Addressed to a Miss Mary Kimball and undated. On an album leaf with slight toning but in very fine condition. 16.5 x 20.5 cm.
Autograph musical quotation from the Russian-born concert pianist, one of Liszt's foremost pupils and author of the memoir Life and Liszt. Three measures in G minor, marked "Marziale." Signed and dated Burlington, VT, April 4, 1894. Friedheim taught and performed in the United States from 1891 to 1895. On an album leaf, 15.6 x 11 cm, in fine condition. Read More...
AMQS from the acclaimed Hungarian pianist, teacher, and composer who studied with Tausig in Berlin and with Liszt in Weimar. He has penned three measures in treble clef, signed boldly and dated New York, December 4, 1880. This would have been shortly after Joseffy's immigration to the United States and his American debut under Leopold Damrosch. Read More...
AMQS from the Scottish pianist and composer who was the second-last surviving pupil of Franz Liszt. Three measures on a single stave, identified by the composer as his overture op. 4, Aus den schottischen Hochlanden ("From the Scottish Highlands"). Signed and dated January 21, 1906. Read More...
Charming ALS from the great Polish pianist and student of Liszt, regretfully declining an invitation and working two small musical quotations into the text of the letter. He writes, "Dear Mademoiselle, Unfortunately I am prevented from coming on Monday and since I leave on Tuesday for Chicago, it will be impossible to come and see you before my return." Following this, one measure of music in treble clef and one in bass clef punctuate the second sentence of the letter, expressing his gratitude for the invitation. On letterhead of the Hotel Netherland, New York. Undated. Slight glue remnants at the head; left edge rough; one slight crease; otherwise in fine condition. 12.2 x 19.7 cm. Read More...
Elegantly penned AMQS from the great German virtuoso pianist and composer, called the "legitimate heir of Liszt" (Martin Krause.) Sauer has written eight measures from the first movement of his Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, marked Allegro patetico. The quotation is dedicated to a Fritz Bauer and signed, Berlin, December 2, 1910. On a small card which has been cut on the diagonal, else in very fine condition. 11.5 x 9 cm. Read More...
Rare AMQS from the Italian pianist, composer, and student of Liszt, of one of his best-known piano works, the Vecchio Minuetto from Quattro Pezzi di Seguito, op. 18. Sgambati has penned the first two measures of the piece in red ink and signed Bagni di Lucca [Tuscany], September 15, 1895. On a small card, in very fine condition. 8.7 x 6.4 cm. Read More...
AMQS from one of the most celebrated students of Franz Liszt, of the instantly recognizable "Dies Irae" theme which runs through Liszt's Totentanz. Three measures, signed and dated 1904 on a small album leaf. Slight toning; otherwise in very fine condition. 10 x 14 cm. Read More...
Autograph musical quotation from the great Austrian conductor, composer, and pianist who was one of Liszt's last pupils. He has penned a short motive of two measures in E flat major, signed boldly and dated Vienna, February 2, 1926. The autograph is dedicated to Imre Békessy, the controversial editor-in-chief of the Vienna tabloids Die Stunde and Die Bühne. On an album leaf with slight toning, otherwise in very fine condition. 17.5 x 10.5 cm. Read More...
A rare signed photograph from the Hungarian violinist whom Glenn Gould considered "the most underrated of the great violinists of our age." She is shown in a postcard photograph and has signed and inscribed across the image in blue ballpoint to German-Argentinian concert promoter Geraldo Uhlfelder, dating July 20, 1962. Stamped on the verso with her name. Very fine. 3.75 x 5.75 inches (9.5 x 14.7 cm). Read More...
Original press photograph of the great violinist performing with pianist Louis Kentner in 1963, while a young page-turner looks on in the corner. Stamped and dated in pencil on the verso. Some light creasing; slight water damage to right edge; overall very good. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 19.4 cm).
AMQS from the great Portuguse composer and pianist, a celebrated prodigy who went on to tour all over Europe and America, sometimes playing duets with Henri Vieuxtemps or Henryk Wieniawski. Three measures of music for piano in A major, 6/8 time identified by the composer as op. 67 no. 2. Signed and dated June 1915. On the verso of the postcard, two beautifully painted roses in vivid colors, with an unidentified signature. Light discoloration to the music, but overall legible and in fine condition. 13.9 x 9.3 cm.
Signed booklet of "Analytical Notes" on the great Polish pianist's recital program for his 1899-1900 American tour. He has penned a sentiment and a bold signature along the left side of the booklet. The notes, by H. E. Krehbiel, give historical and musicological background to works by Schumann, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Paderewski, Strauss-Tausig, and Liszt. Below his signature, another autograph from an A. B. McCloskey - possibly Alberta Binford McCloskey, an American artist known for her still lives who would have been living in San Francisco at the time. Slight creasing and wear to the edges; otherwise in fine condition. 15 x 24 cm. Read More...
TLS from the acclaimed Polish American pianist to Israeli composer Haim Alexander, thanking him for a composition dedicated to the pianist. Rubinstein writes, "...you can imagine my joy when I received [your pieces]. I love your mazurka with the charming quotation of one of my favourite Chopin's. Your piece is written in a masterly fashion and I find its form excellent..." Dated Paris, November 24, 1974. Letter creases and slight wear to the edges; otherwise in very fine condition. 20.8 x 26.6 cm. Read More...
Original 1937 concert program from the Polish American pianist's appearance in Buenos Aires, signed humorously on the cover as "Arturo Rubinstein." On the inside page, a charming engraving of the pianist. The program, presented by Radio Excelsior, included Beethoven, Chopin, De Falla, and Liszt. Dated July 20, 1937. Very slight creasing and wear; otherwise in very fine condition. 8 x 15 cm folded.
Striking original photograph of the beloved pianist, who is shown seated at the keyboard, gesturing with one hand to express "the full-bodied tone of his favorite instrument," and with the mirror behind him reflecting the gesture again. Press caption, dated 1969, and stamps to the verso. Photographed by Robert Fuhring. One slight corner crease; overall very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.4 cm).
Original 1974 press photograph of the pianist at age 87 with his son, actor John Rubinstein, backstage at the Broadway musical Pippin, in which John starred. Rubinstein's old-world tie pin and fur collar make a striking contrast with his 27-year-old son's decidedly 70's curly hair and T-shirt. John would go on to win a Tony in 1980 and to have a long career on film, stage, and television, as well as composing film music. A touching image of father and son, with the original press caption. Slight creasing to one corner; otherwise in fine condition. 25.5 x 20.2 cm.
Two souvenirs from a 1949 dinner given in honor of the great Polish pianist and his wife by Ruth and Theodore E. Steinway. The menu booklet has been signed by the Rubinsteins, Henry Z. Steinway, Ruth G. Steinway, Julia Steinway, and one other, for Eddy R. and Coy McDuff. In the accompanying guest list booklet with about three hundred names from New York's cultural scene, all those seated at Table 1 (including the Rubinsteins, the Steinways, and the McDuffs) have been marked with pencil. Read More...
Two original unsigned concert programs from concerts by the great Polish American pianist, dated 1941 and 1953. Rubinstein performed the Brahms piano concerto no. 2 at Carnegie Hall on December 7, 1941; and works by Franck, Beethoven, Chopin, Ravel, Granados, and Liszt in Chicago on February 21, 1953. In very fine condition. 15 x 23 cm and 21.4 x 27.5 cm.
Signed postcard photograph of the important Basque violinist and composer, who is shown playing in a Rotary of London portrait, and has signed at the foot, dating London, October 31, 1904. Very fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.8 x 13.7 cm).