41. Ravel, Maurice. (1875-1937). Important Autograph Letters and Telegram about his Rejection of the Legion of Honor
Two important autograph letters and one telegram from the great French composer to Lucien Garban (1877-1959), dealing with Ravel's 1920 refusal of the Légion d'Honneur and the beginning of the following "affaire Ravel." While Ravel was at the country home of his friend André-Ferdinand Hérold in Lapras in January 1920, his name appeared in a list of nominees in Le journal officiel - without his knowledge or consent. He created a stir by refusing the honor, only a few days later to find out that he had been put forward with the best intentions by Garban, his friend and a fellow member of the artistic group "Société des Apaches." Read More...
A rare AMQS from the American composer, an influential pioneer of minimalist music. On an index card, Reich has penned the second bar of his famous "Clapping Music" and has signed and inscribed at the foot, dating May 10, 1982. On the verso, he has penned: "Many thanks for the kind words / (over)." Autograph material of Reich is very rare. 6 x 4 inches (15.2 x 10.2 cm). Read More...
Signed LP of the influential composer's minimalist work Music for 18 Musicians, together with an original program from a performance of the work at Columbia University on October 18, 1978. The LP, a not-for-sale promotional copy of the 1978 first recording, has been signed and dated by Reich on the cover at the October 1978 performance. Light water staining to the LP sleeve, but overall in fine condition, 12.25 inches (31 cm) square. Program 5 stapled pages, very fine; 8.5 x 11 inches (21.7 x 28 cm). Read More...
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).
Halftone photograph with a mounted signature and inscription from the important French composer whose students included Satie, Golestan, Roland-Manuel and Varèse. He has signed and inscribed to French musicologist and composer Jacques Chailley on a small slip tipped to the foot of the photograph. The verso indicates that the photograph is taken from a supplement to a 1970 the journal L'Education Musicale. Light toning and soiling to the mounted slip; otherwise in fine condition. 6.5 x 9.5 inches (16.4 x 24.1 cm). Read More...
Original photograph of the important French composer, boldly signed and inscribed to French violinist Marcel Chailley as a "souvenir of Manchester" and dated 1908. Slightly curved with light silvering, but overall in fine condition. 4 x 5.5 inches (10.3 x 14.1 cm). Read More...
47. Schmitt, Florent. (1870–1958). Important Collection of Biographical Material and Ephemera, including an Autograph Musical Manuscript, Letters, Photographs, and drafts for an important Biography of the Composer
An important archive of biographical material, letters, clippings, and images relating to the significant but often overlooked French composer, compiled by his first biographer, Madeleine Marceron (Ventadour, 1959; 2 copies of the brief biography are present in the collection.) Included are several autograph items in Schmitt's hand, including a large manuscript sketch leaf from his ballet "Oriane," inscribed to Marceron, a postcard with a humorous AMQS, and a signed score of his "Petit Elfe Ferme-l'oeil," and a total of 39 autograph letters to Marceron from friends and family of Schmitt, mostly from around the time of his last illness and death (August 1958) and the release of Marceron's book (June 1959). The letters deal not only with the sadness around Schmitt's death, but also with some controversy thereafter: several letters from friends of the composer decline Marceron's request to reply to an article which had critiqued his work after his death, and a letter from a close friend of Schmitt offers some harsh criticism of Marceron's biography. An accompanying large folder contains extensive notes and manuscript and typescript drafts for Marceron's biography of Schmitt, together with correspondence from the publishers. Also included is a beautifully penned manuscript statement about Schmitt from Heitor Villa-Lobos, which was reproduced as a plate in the biography. The collection also contains many newspaper clippings and concert programs relating to Schmitt, and several original photographs and negatives of the composer and his house in Saint-Cloud. Read More...
Original photograph ca. 1950 of a meeting between the influential Finnish composer and the great British conductor, known as one of the leading interpreters of Sibelius' works. The two are shown in the composer's home in Finland. Very slight cracks to the corners; overall in very fine condition. 20.6 x 25.5 cm; 8 x 10 inches.
Original program from the June 22, 1969 premiere of Karlheinz Stockhausen's Theaterstück Oben und Unten and Stimmung, at the Holland Festival of 1969. Striking design with color cover, photographs of the composer and the performers, and extracts from the scores throughout. 10 pp. In very fine condition. 10.5 x 10.25 inches (27 x 26 cm). Read More...
Carte de visite photograph of the "Waltz King," who is shown in a standing portrait, with one hand tucked inside his jacket. Photographed by A. Liébert of Paris. In fine condition. 2.5 x 4 inches (5.5 x 9 cm.)
Large original charcoal drawing of the great composer and conductor by artist Ivan Sors, boldly signed by Strauss at the foot. Damage to the edges of the sheet, but drawing and signature fine. Overall size 44 x 61 cm (signature 20 x 8 cm.) Read More...
Vintage press photograph of the important composer leading an orchestral rehearsal, ca. 1955. Some light surface creases and scratches; overall very fine. 9 x 7.25 inches (22.8 x 18 cm).
Signed photograph from the important composer, who is shown as a younger man (without his glasses!) and has inscribed at the left, dating February 2, 1937. Light toning creasing and slightly buckled; overall fine. 8 x 10 inches (19.7 x 25.3 cm).
From the collection of Raymond Morin, who served as the music critic for the Worcester (MA) Telegram and reviewed several Tanglewood performances with Stravinsky.
Original 1954 press photograph of the great Russian composer talking to another man, after being "barred from a first night performance at Rome's Opera House because he wore a dark suit instead of the required evening dress." Slight wrinkling; overall a clear image in very fine condition. 23 x 18.2 cm.
AMQS in the hand of the composer, the most famous song from his 1977 Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical, "Annie." He has added an inscription: "Dear Tony - I am not a good note keeper but I do appreciate yours!" and signed at the upper right. On the verso, he has added: "If you wish a photograph write: Helene Blue," and given an address. On a small card in very fine condition. 5 x 3 inches (12.7 x 7.6 cm).
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Autograph letter from the important English composer, to the music critic and vocal pedagogue Herman Klein. November 19, 1899. Sullivan writes to thank Klein for his positive review in the Sunday Times, mentions that he has finished "the new opera" (his last completed opera, The Rose of Persia), and invites him to a rehearsal the next week. Finally, he mentions that he hopes not be replaced by "a foreigner" as the director of the Leeds Music Festival: "If they do, it will be a terrible disappointment to someone." (Complete text below.) 3 pp. of a bifolium. Mounting remnants to the verso; otherwise in fine condition. 4 x 6.25 inches (10.2 x 15.8 cm). Read More...
Cabinet photograph by A. Pasetti of St. Petersburg of the important composer, with a spurious signature in ink dated February 10, 1891 (not in Tchaikovsky's hand). Corner losses and pinholes around the image; overall very good. 4 x 6.5 inches (10.5 x 16.5 cm).
Program booklet from the inaugural 1988 festival "Wien Modern '88," signed on internal pages next to their photographs by composers Pierre Boulez, György Kurtág, Luigi Nono, and György Ligeti. Together with a signed postcard photograph of the artistic director of the festival, Claudio Abbado. Booklet slightly worn at the signed page spread, but overall fine. Booklet 16 pp., 4.25 x 8 inches (10.5 x 20.5 cm), postcard photograph 4 x 5.75 inches (10.5 x 14.8 cm). A remarkable item, signed by four of the giants of 20th century music. Read More...
Original press photograph of the American composer. The press clipping on the verso, dated October 24, 1970, reads: "The one remaining gap in the repertoire announced for the Fine Arts Quartet's 1970-1971 concert series has now been filled with the selection of Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Wuorinen..." Slight marks to margins; overall in very fine condition. 20.4 x 25.7 cm.
One of America's leading composers, Wuorinen was the youngest composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1970.
Small signed vintage Walery of Paris photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a full length pose, her hips adorned with feathers and wearing nothing but a few strands of pearls on her torso! She has signed in blue ink across the image. Dated in pencil on the verso: March 1928. 2.75 x 3.5 inches (6.9 x 8.5 cm). Read More...