Early postcard photograph of the French composer, shown as a young man ca. 1930. Photographed by H. Manuel for La Sirène Musicale, Paris. In very fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.7 x 13.8 cm).
An interesting group of autograph signatures collected in the early twentieth century, from singers, instrumentalists, and actors of the era. The signatures include: Sergei Rachmaninoff (dated 1939); violinist Jelly D'Aranyi (dated March 2, 1931); American film actress Edith Barrett; Metropolitan Opera singers Lucrezia Bori, Maria Duchêne, and Marie Mattfeld (together on one page and dated December 1914), Melanie Kurt, and Matja von Niessen-Stone (dated June 9, 1915); Austrian-born pianist Fannie Bloomfield Zeisler (dated February 15, 1915); violin prodigy Kathleen Parlow; Polish-American pianist Antoinette Szumowska; and actor-actress couple George and Florence Arliss (dated January 4, 1921). Signatures on heavy card leaves from an album, some trimmed down, with some light staining, toning, peeling, and small losses; overall in very good condition. Ranging in size from 8 x 4 inches (20 x 11.5 cm) to 13.25 x 10.25 inches (33.7 x 26 cm).
Original 1978 photograph of the influential composer, who is shown seated on the piano bench in his studio, surrounded by microphone stands and tape decks. Photographed by Carrie Boretz for the [New York] Tribune, with photographer's credit on the verso, together with a press clipping affixed to verso. Fine. 7 x 10 inches (17.8 x 25.3 cm).
Original concert program and ticket from a 2009 concert/exhibition collaboration between the American composer and the German artist, signed on the cover by both Reich and Richter, as well as by photographer Benjamin Katz. The concert took place on January 27, 2009 at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, where Reich and three percussionists from the Ensemble Modern performed Drumming—Part One in an exhibition of Richter's paintings, and continued an hour later with a performance of Music for 18 Musicians at the Kölner Philharmonie. An unusual association. 16 pp. Program 4.25 x 9.25 inches (11 x 23.5 cm). Fine.
Rare signed photograph of one of the most significant Spanish composers of the twentieth century. Inscribed in the hand of the composer's wife and amanuensis, the pianist Victoria Kamhi de Rodrigo (1905–1997), and signed by the blind composer himself beneath. Together with a typed letter signed (October 25, 1985, 1 p.) sending the photograph. Translated from the French, in part: "Dear Mr. Leman, Your letter touched me greatly and it is with pleasure that I send you a signed photograph, as well as the program from the 'Festival Rodrigo' in Valence. Don't worry about the language; my wife knows French perfectly and I am accustomed to signing all my letters and papers..." Together with an original envelope addressed to Gerard Leman and postmarked 1988. Some light edge and surface wear to the photograph; overall fine. Photograph 7 x 9.25 inches (17.8 x 23.6 cm), letter 8.75 x 6.5 inches (22.5 x 16.4 cm).
46. Rodrigo, Joaquín. (1901–1999). Typed Letter Signed - "I believe that my works should always be interpreted in the original version"
Typed letter from one of the most significant Spanish composers of the twentieth century, signed on his behalf in the hand of the composer's wife and amanuensis, the pianist Victoria Kamhi de Rodrigo (1905–1997). Madrid, July 12, 1991. To a Mr. Gérard Léman, Rodrigo writes (translated from the French): "Thank you for your kind letter... Like all authors, I believe that my works should always be interpreted in the original version. Congratulations on the marriage of your daughter, to whom I send all my best wishes for happiness. In this regard, may I suggest a work written on the occasion of my daughter Cécile's marriage: 'Cánticos nupciales'..." Folding creases; overall fine. 8 x 10.75 inches (20.7 x 27.5 cm). Together with an original airmail envelope addressed to Gérard Leman.
Signed dictated letter from the influential English composer and pianist, regarding the death of a friend and mentioning Scott's 90th birthday and his latest publications. September 13, 1969. 1 p. Writing to a Mrs. Crabb, Scott mentions the death of a friend, "Rachel Goundry, of whose friendship & that of her parents in the long ago I have most happy & beloved memories [...] I am glad to know her passing was so peaceful." He goes on to mention that his 90th birthday is approaching, and that "it might possibly interest you to known that my autobiography 'Bone of Contention' is coming out just before my birthday, & that my publishers [...] have also recently re-issued my 'Music, Its Secret Influence throughout the Ages'; further, that my Piano Concerto is to be performed in London at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on October 31st." The body of the letter in an unknown hand, signed at the conclusion by the composer himself in a somewhat shaky hand. Folding creases and tape remnants at the head; otherwise very good overall. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.2 cm). Read More...
A rare original program from the penultimate concert of the Russian pianist-composer, on February 16, 1915 in Petrograd. The concert took place in the Small Hall of the Petrograd Conservatory at 8:30 pm and included a program of 17 of Scriabin's own compositions, including his Sonata no. 10, op. 70, and various preludes, mazurkas, and other short pieces. 3 pp. Heavy folding creases, edge wear and one slight edge tear; overall in very good condition. 5.5 x 8.75 inches (14.3 x 22.3 cm). Read More...
Petrograd: Svetozar. 1921. Early publication on the Russian pianist-composer, by the important Soviet composer and musicologist Boris Asafyev (published under the name of Igor Glebov.) Halftone photograph of the composer tipped in as a frontispiece; 4-page facsimile letter bound in. Softcover. Woodcut portrait of Scriabin to the front cover (and book decorations by Sergei Chekhonin) - the cover of this book was reproduced in the book "Oblozhka" ("The Cover"). 62 pp.; pp. 57–60 (part of the catalog which supplements the monograph) torn out. Heavy overall toning; otherwise in very good condition. 5.75 x 7.5 inches (15 x 19.5 cm). 3000 copies only. Read More...
Pristine signed photograph of 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. An original photograph, signed and inscribed boldly in purple ink in the lower blank margin to U.M. Krasovsky [Russian; 1917-2006], dated 1947, and inscribed by the composer with a detailed three-measure autograph musical quotation marked "Allegro" from his Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67. Light toning; inscription slightly smudged, otherwise overall fine. Affixed to a same-size mount, 4 x 5.75 inches (10 x 14.8 cm). Read More...
Autograph note from the important composer, sending birthday greetings to violinist Vasily Petrovich Shirinsky, a founding member of the Beethoven Quartet, to whose memory Shostakovich's Eleventh Quartet is dedicated. Moscow, January 17, 1964. Shostakovich writes (translated from the Russian): "Dear Vasya, I am sending you my warmest birthday greetings. Love and kisses. Yours, D. Shostakovich." On a small slip, 8.3 x 14.2 cm, in very fine condition. With the original envelope in the composer's hand, 15.7 x 11.4 cm.
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Autograph note from the important composer to the widow and children of violinist Vasily Petrovich Shirinsky, a founding member of the Beethoven Quartet, to whose memory Shostakovich's Eleventh Quartet is dedicated. On a card with images of Moscow sights, Shostakovich has penned (translated from the Russian): "Dear Nina Borisovna, Nina Vasilievna, Sasha, I am sending you my warmest greetings for the 50th Anniversary of the October Revolution. Wishing you all the best. Yours, D. Shostakovich." 15 x 7.6 cm. With the original envelope in the composer's hand, postmarked November 5, 1967. In very fine condition.
Original photograph of the influential Finnish composer ca. 1940's, seated at the piano. Some light scratches to the surface, much more visible in scan than in person; overall in fine condition. 20.5 x 25.5 cm. 8 x 10 inches.
Original photograph of the influential Finnish composer later in life, with a facsimile signature on the right printed within the negative. Some light scratches; asymmetrical border; overall in fine condition. 20.5 x 25.5 cm; 8 x 10 inches.
Autograph letter from the Norwegian composer to violinist Florizel von Reuter. 1 p.; n.d. Translated from the German: "Dear Mr. v. Reuter! I received your very kind card with thanks, and am looking forward to seeing you again after such a long time. It is very kind of you to come and see me, and I am almost always home in the morning between 12 and 1. But please telephone to make sure. I will be delighted to hear the violin duo." Tape repairs, mounting remnants and toning; overall good. 8.25 x 5.5 inches (21 x 14.5 cm). Read More...
An unusual autograph musical quotation from the important composer and lyricist, who has penned the first phrase of the song "Maria" from West Side Story, signed and inscribed, and dated June 29, 1984. On manuscript paper printed with his name at the foot. In very fine condition. 9.5 x 4 inches (24 x 10 cm). Uncommon. We have encountered many musical quotations of "Maria" penned by Bernstein, but this is the first example we've ever seen in the hand of Sondheim. Read More...
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Signed postcard photograph of the important band composer and leader known as the "March King." He is shown in a portrait photograph with a facsimile signature in white at the foot, and has signed at the left edge in ink, dating 1911. Very fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.5 x 13.5 cm).
Autograph musical quotation from the important twentieth-century composer, who has penned one measure from his 2005 work Freude for 2 harps, part of the cycle Klang. He has signed below with a heart (spelling "herz"-lichen Grüße in German) and identified the work in a postscript. Mounted together on a card with a clipped halftone photograph of the composer lecturing as a younger man, to an overall size of 4 x 6 inches (10.4 x 15 cm). Very fine.
Autograph signature from the important composer, signed on a small slip trimmed from a larger piece of manuscript music. Two measures of music in E major, marked fortissimo and apparently for piano. Stravinsky has signed neatly at the head, over a large phrasing mark. Light toning; overall fine. 4.25 x 3.25 inches (11 x 8.3 cm).
60. [Venice]. Salle de Concert de Venise - 18th century Hand-Colored vue d'optique
Hand-colored vue d'optique engraving of a scene in a grand Venetian concert hall. While instrumentalists play on a distant raised platform, audience members in bright blue, red, and yellow dress listen from the balcony and edges of the circular room. Published in Paris "chez Hocquart, rue St. Jacques no. 64," ca. 1775. The title is printed at the foot and in mirror-image at the head. The full sheet mounted to heavy board with considerable soiling and overall wear, edge wear, and some losses at the left edge; however, still a striking image in good condition. 18 x 12.5 inches (45.5 x 32 cm). Read More...