81.
[Instrumentalists]
Hess, Myra. (1890-1965). Autograph Musical Quotation - Beethoven 4th Piano Concerto
Unusual AMQS from the beloved English pianist, who has neatly penned the opening two measures of Beethoven's 4th piano concerto, dated March 2, 1931, adding her signature "with my best wishes / Myra Hess." On a long strip of paper laid down to rigid backing, 11.5 x 2.25 inches (29 x 5.5 cm), extensive staining and chipping along the left and upper edges of the fragile backing board.
Cover page from the influential illustrated weekly "The Graphic," featuring a large engraved portrait of the important violinist and Brahms collaborator. Dated March 10, 1877. The image is captioned: "Herr Joseph Joachim, the new Doctor of Music, Cambridge University." Engraved by Roberts. The verso includes texts on the "Topics of the Week." Slightly irregularly trimmed but overall in fine condition. 11.25 x 16 inches (28.5 x 40.3 cm).
Original carte de visite portrait photograph of the important violinist, shown as a young man with his instrument. Photographed by J. & L. Allgeyer of Carlsruhe. Notes in German to the verso; overall fine. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.5 x 10.2 cm).
An interesting letter from the German contralto, the wife of Joseph Joachim and an important interpreter of Brahms, Schubert and Schumann in particular. January 5, 1871. Writing to a "Herr Musikdirector," Joachim mentions that she is looking forward to attending a concert of Peri, sends her husband's best wishes, and then goes on to discuss an upcoming performance, at which she will sing a scene from Gluck's Alceste and a song by Bernhard Scholz. Finally, she sends her condolences for her correspondent's recent loss and hopes that 1871 will be a better year. (Full translation below.) 2 pp. of a bifolium. Light overall toning, two very slight splits at the folds, but overall in fine condition. 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14.2 x 22 cm). Read More...
Original photograph of the great violinist, playing with deep concentration, against a white background. Press caption on the verso, dated November 29, 1960, reads: "Soviet violinist Leonid Kogan makes his first appearance with the Chicago Symphony as soloist Thursday night." Some stains and a fingerprint, light scratches; overall in very good condition (blue light on image is scanner error). 25.7 x 20.4 cm. Read More...
86.
[Instrumentalists]
Kreisler, Fritz. (1875–1962). "Kreisler Sells Strad" - Original Press Photograph with Jacques Gordon
Original 1946 press photograph showing the great violinist handing over his famous Lord Amherst Stradivarius to Jacques Gordon, head of the Eastman School. Press caption is printed below the image. Some scratching and tape remnants on the surface, much less visible in person than in scan, but overall in very good condition. 19.5 x 26.3 cm.
Original press photograph showing the great violinist holding his Stradivarius violin, on the Burlington Zephyr train ca. 1940. Kreisler is on his way to perform in Galesburg, IL, and here appears to be tuning his beloved instrument. Slight scratches and one small tear to the upper edge; overall in fine condition. 20.5 x 25.5 cm.
A print of a lively pencil sketch of the legendary violinist in performance with a facsimile signature across the image, as reproduced in artist Hilda Wiener's Pencil Portraits of Concert Celebrities (1937). The page, taken from the book, has been mounted along the edges with masking tape to a window mat. Page size 8 x 10.75 inches (20.8 x 27.3 cm), matted to 13 x 15inches (32.8 x 39.3 cm).
Autograph musical quotation from the American pianist, vocal coach, accompanist and composer, who has penned two measures of a chromatic theme in 6/8, signed boldly and added a "musical signature" at the lower left of his initials, F–C–A–F. On a small album leaf with light toning, overall fine. 7.25 x 4.5 inches (18.3 x 11.3 cm). Read More...
Original program from a performance of the great violinist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult, signed by Menuhin on the page with his photograph. The program included the concerto for violin and string orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams, who is pictured on the program cover. Light wear to the spine, but overall in fine condition. 7.25 x 9.75 inches (18.3 x 24.8 cm).
A rare early signed postcard photograph of the important Austrian violinist, a child prodigy who made her later career in the United States. Certainly the earliest signed photograph of Morini we've ever encountered, signed in pencil in a child's block letters ca. 1910 and well in advance of her official debut. Morini is shown seated as a young girl, wearing a white dress and holding her rather-too-large violin against her chest, in a portrait by Atelier Glantz of Vienna. Signed in pencil at the foot. From the collection of Harry Idle, a fellow student of Otokar Sevcik. Toning, with somewhat poor contrast to the signature (best visible at an angle); otherwise fine overall. 3.25 x 5.25 inches (8.5 x 13.5 cm). Read More...
Autograph musical quotation from the German-American pianist and composer, grandson of inventor Samuel B. Morse and a leading proponent of the works of Claude Debussy. He has penned four measures of music marked "lustig," and signed: "With best wishes for a happy future! May you never be musical. From your celebrated friend Walter Morse-Rummel." He dates Berlin, April 23, 1906, adding at the upper left "Souvenir de 21 Rue Nouveau-d'Hiverchamp," which we take to be a comic translation of Neue Winterfeldtstrasse in Berlin. Toning; overall fine. 7.25 x 4.5 inches (18.3 x 11.1 cm).
An interesting autograph musical greeting from the German-American violinist, grandson of inventor Samuel B. Morse and brother of composer and pianist Walter Morse Rummel. On a small album leaf, he has penned a greeting partly in letters and partly in musical notes, which translates as follows: "To Edna Wilbanks Ramsay as Andenken [souvenir] of the great days in Berlin from William Morse Rummel." He dates Berlin, February 26, 1906. Toning and one slight smudge; overall fine. 7.25 x 4.5 inches (18.3 x 11.1 cm). Highly amusing!
Signed postcard photograph of the Hungarian violinist and composer who made his home in London. He is shown standing with his violin under his arm, and has signed across the image. Light silvering and rather poor contrast to the signature; overall very good. 3.25 x 5.25 inches (8.5 x 13.5 cm).
95.
[Instrumentalists]
Ney, Elly. (1882–1968). Typed Letter Signed on a Postcard of Bavaria
Typed letter signed from the important German pianist, on a postcard of the Bavarian mountain resort Elbau. February 19, 1957. Translated from the German: "Dear Mrs. Caldwell! Many thanks for your generous mailing. The charming songs are wonderfully appropriate to teach children English [...] in school. The circus parade is delightful! Heartfelt thanks as well for your kind, detailed letter. I read it all with great interest and I am so sorry for your misfortune. I hope your instrument was not damaged in the flood. Here by the Elmau, in glorious sun and quiet, I have spent some relaxing days, if not without work. Over Christmas and New Year I was traveling for concerts, which is why I couldn't reply earlier. I wish you joy and success for your continuing artistic work and remain yours [...] Elly Ney." Fine. 5.75 x 4 inches (14.8 x 10.5 cm). Read More...
Original portrait engraving of the great violinist and composer, half-length, looking to the left, within a square frame. Ca. 1830, artist and publisher are unidentified, though the plate is numbered as "Ms C.L.No. 725." Rather heavy overall foxing, but otherwise in very good condition. 6 x 9.75 inches (15.3 x 24.8 cm).
Attractive autograph musical quotation from the important virtuoso violinist, Paganini's only pupil, who introduced Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in England in 1827 at age 12 and collaborated with Liszt and composed virtuoso arrangements of many works. He has penned 8 measures in C major and 2/4 time, marked "Allegro," for solo violin. On a leaf of manuscript paper with a decorative green lithograph border, signed and dated Paris, March 25, 1857. Overall toning and one spot to the music; in fine condition. 10 x 6.5 inches (25.7 x 16.6 cm).
Signed photograph of the important virtuoso violinist, Paganini's only pupil, who introduced Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in England in 1827 at age 12, collaborated with Liszt and composed virtuoso arrangements of many works. He has inscribed the portrait photograph (translated from the French): "To my excellent friend Lauwers / Souvenir of Camillo Sivori / Paris, December 4, 1879." Slightly irregularly trimmed, with overall toning; otherwise in fine condition. 4 x 6.5 inches (10 x 16.3 cm).
Uncommon early signed photograph of the beloved violinist. He is shown playing as a young man and has inscribed and signed at the upper right, dating March 4, 1966. Slightly poor contrast to part of his signature (better visible in person than in the scan), but overall fine. 4 x 5 inches (10.2 x 12.8 cm).