Typed letter signed ("Béla Bartók"), in Hungarian, 1 page, folio (13½ x 8¼ in.), Budapest, September 14, 1937. To the literature historian and general secretary of the Hungarian Academy of Science, Géza Voinovich (1877-1952) about the publication of the Hungarian folk songs collected by Bartók and Kodály: "Since September 1924 the work for printing [the collection] is on the way. During that time I have revised the transcript of all the phonograph cylinders - 1062 cylinders - at the same time Kodály selected from the existing literature any related material….The material to be published comprises circa 12 thousand melodies, and the publication will consist of about 4000 pages 4to. In three years it will be possible to give the entire material to print…." Read More...
12188. Bartók, Béla. (1881-1945) . Signed Letter about Hungary in WWII and The Commission of the Arts and Sciences of Independent Hungary
2-page TLS, signed "Bartok Bela." October 27, 1942. In Hungarian, an important letter addressed to the Hungarian-born composer and publisher, Albert Szirmay, who had emigrated to New York in 1923 and took a post as music director for Chappell Music, becoming editor for such Broadway luminaries as Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin. The letter concerns Hungary's role in WWII and Bartok's involvement as Chair of the Committee of Hungarian Scientists and Artists. Mentioning "the fateful fight carried out against the dictator" and lamenting that "the Hungarian government has declared war on the Axis side of the democracies," he knows that "President Roosevelt...you are on our side" and states that "in this situation...the representatives of Hungarian culture, who in America our principled beliefs are free to declare," must speak for the "the millions of Hungarians who are struggling." He goes on to invite Szirmay to join the newly formed Committee and a retained copy of Szirmay's letter of acceptance is included together with the original letter from Bartok. 8.5 x 11 inches, minor toning and a small tear along one of the original folds, else fine. Read More...
An interesting early program from the 1929 Sopron Music Festival in Hungary, signed by Bartók, Dohnányi, and several other important Hungarian musicians of the era. The program lists concerts, services, and galas over three days, from October 20 to 22, 1929, and is signed on the internal pages twice by Bartók and Dohnányi and additionally by pianists Imre Stefániai and Ottó Herz, tenor Ferenc Székelyhidy, and conductor Károly Zwinz. The works performed in the festival included Bartók's Hungarian Rhapsody, Kodály's Psalmus Hungaricus, and Dohnányi's Suite in F-sharp minor. Read More...
Berlin and Leipzig: W. de Gruyter and Co. 1931. Sonderabdruck aus den Ungarischen Jahrbüchern Band XI, Heft 3. Ungarische Bibliothek. Für das Ungarische Institut an der Universität Berlin herausgegeben von Julius Farkas. 8vo pamphlet. 25 cm. 17, [1] pp. Inscribed in ink on the title "Prof. Dr. Guido Adler / hochachtungsvoll [yours respectfully] / Béla Bartók." In fine condition. Read More...
Neatly penned autograph letter, one page, 5 x 6.5, no date but postmarked April 6, 1922. Addressed on the reverse in Dukas’s own hand to Henri Prunières and signed "Paul Dukas." The letter apologizes for missing a visit from the addressee and from "Monsieur Béla Bartok, whose acquaintance I would have been delighted to make. All the more so since I must respond to your kind invitation for Saturday. I have to be in Valenciennes on Sunday to help with the concert of the Societé du Conservatoire there. And if I don't take the train at 5:10 in the evening on Saturday, I will have to get up at 6:30 to leave on Sunday morning! So in this case despite all my regrets, I must excuse myself..." A scarce and rather charming letter from the French composer, critic, scholar and teacher best known for his "L'apprenti sorcier "(The Sorcerer's Apprentice) and his opera "Ariane et Barbe-bleue." Read More...
An important early autograph musical quotation from the Hungarian composer, inscribed to his mother. Bartok has penned 12 measures from his Scherzo in B flat minor (B.B. 21), signed boldly, dated March 26, 1901 and inscribed at the head (translated from the Hungarian): "To widowed Mrs. Bartok," it being convention in Hungary to use the husband's name and then add "widowed" after his death. Matted together with a later photograph of the composer. Visible size 4.5 x 6.5 inches (11.8 x 16.3 cm), handsomely matted in red and gold to an overall size of 14 x 11 inches. Overall toning, but otherwise very fine. Read More...
Vintage 8 x 10 inch black and white photograph, a bust image of the great dancer in his youthful prime. Boldly signed in blue ink and in very fine condition.
5387. [Baseball]. Original US Army Baseball Game Photograph
A striking 11 x 11 inch doubleweight 1945 photograph of American troops enjoying a baseball came "in the shell-scarred Rizal Stadium, Manila." The image, by Sgt. Dick Hanley, was reproduced on the cover of "Yank," the Army's weekly magazine published by the United States military during World War II.
Philadelphia: Jos. Morris. 1907. "Goliath was struck out by David, A base hit was made on Abel by Cain, And the Prodigal Son made a great home-run. Brother Noah gave checks out for rain." Read More...
Küsnacht/Zürich: Bischofberger. 1985. Original color transparency photograph of the noted artist, who came to fame in the 1970's as part of the graffiti duo SAMO and became established as a neo-expressionist painter before his early death in 1988. He is shown standing in an otherwise empty room, wearing a red vest, white shirt and tie, with a glass of champagne by his feet. 4 x 5 inch color transparency. Some light nicks at the corners, overall fine.
Postcard portrait of the great Italian tenor with a facsimile AMQS from his role as Chopin in the opera by Giacomo Orefice, and with an autograph signature in bold ink to the right of the image. Orefice's fancified version of the composer's life premiered at the Teatro Lirico, Milan, in 1901, and Bassi recorded excerpts from the opera ca. 1903-1905. The postcard is addressed on the verso to the Argentinian collector Ramona Imaz Otaño and postmarked April 14, 1904. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm). Read More...
Unusual signed original Piccagliani photograph of the great baritone whose career was tragically cut short by throat cancer. A boldly signed photograph from his first and only performances of Rolando in Verdi's rarely heard opera "La battaglia di Legnano" at La Scala in December of 1961. 10.5 x 15.5 cm. Very fine.
Signed photograph from the American pianist, a star from the age of four who was known as the "Philadelphia Wunderkind," and who went on to perform extensively and to teach at Juilliard. He is shown at the piano and has signed and inscribed at the right, dating April 11, 1948. Photographed by J. Abresch of New York. Lightly toned, with some surface crackles; buckled (could be flattened.) Overall in very good condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.5 cm).
Signed postcard photograph of the "King of the Baritones," generally considered to be one of the great figures in 20th century vocal history. A pristine sepia photograph in costume as Posa in Verdi's "Don Carlo," one of his most celebrated roles. Boldly signed "Battistini 1925." 8.5 x 13.5 cm.
Signed postcard photograph of the "King of the Baritones," generally considered to be one of the great figures in 20th century vocal history. A contemplative portrait of the singer, shown in profile, seated and studying a score. Signed "Battistini," 8.5 x 13.5 cm. Sold together with a vintage German "Gramola - Grammophon" brochure with photographs on both sides and listing his recent recordings.
A fine signed postcard photograph of the "King of the Baritones," generally considered to be one of the great figures in 20th century vocal history. A rare Russian photograph, signed "Battistini," 8.5 X 13.5 cm. Beginning in 1892, he performed regularly in Russia, where he was a favorite of the Imperial family and was an enormous star.
Unusual pairing of early ink signatures of the two great pianists both born in 1873, on a single album page dated Paris, 1903 and measuring 12 x 17.5 cm. Risler has added a single musical note below his signature.
Boldly penned AMQS from the popular English composer. Three measures from an unidentified work, signed "Arnold Bax / March 2nd, 1933." On a small paper measuring 11 x 6 cm. Scarce.