Winter 2019 Catalogue


Showing items 1 to 20

220 items in this catalogue total,
currently filtered to 218




1. [Avant-Garde].
Group of Unusual Avant-Garde Scores

Collection of 18 editions of avant-garde compositions from the 1950's–1960's, including pieces by John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Morton Feldman, Maurico Kagel, and others. Most of the scores have unusual pictorial or graphic notation, for example scores designed to be read right-side-up and then upside-down (Komorous' Olympia) or graphical scores which can be "read" in an order chosen by the performer (Kasemet's Timepiece.) Some display enormous complexity, as in Kayn's Signals, while others are minimal and pictorial: Kagel's Himmelsmechanik consists of a series of scenery drawings with timed sound effects of wind and weather. Overall a very interesting overview of experiments in musical notation and compositional practice during the post-war avant-garde. Scores of varying sizes, the largest 11.5 x 17.5 inches; overall in fine condition, with a few with slight water damage.   Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music

2. Balfe, Michael William. (1808–1870).
Autograph Letter - "I received a charming letter from Lind"

Autograph letter signed from the Irish composer, best-remembered for his opera The Bohemian Girl. Frankfurt am Main, October 9, 1849.  5 pp. To a close friend, Balfe reports on his visit to Germany, the upcoming production of The Bohemian Girl, friends abroad, including Jenny Lind, and his hopes for more publicity in London. Penned on one bifolium and a separate leaf, which are attached with archival tape. Folding creases and light toning; overall fine. 10.5 x 8 inches (26.8 x 20.5 cm) opened. Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music
Opera

3. Berg, Alban. (1885–1935).
Autograph Letter Signed about his Kammerkonzert

Autograph letter from the important composer, asking for a copy of his "Kammerkonzert" to be given to an associate. [Vienna,] August 27, [n.y.], 1 p. Translated from the German: "Dear Herr [...], please give one copy of my Kammerkonzert excerpt to Herr [...]. It belongs to me, because so far I have only received one copy. Many thanks, Alban Berg." Stamped at the head with Berg's address in Vienna. Light toning and a slight folding crease; overall fine. 5.25 x 8.5 inches (13.3 x 21.3 cm). Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music
Program page from a New York Philharmonic concert of October 1967, signed by both the conductor, Leonard Bernstein, and the soprano soloist, Jeannette Zarou. The program included Mahler's Symphony no. 4 and Ives' Symphony no. 2. Signatures somewhat light; trimmed around the edges; overall very good. 8 x 10 inches (20.4 x 25.5 cm).

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Signed Document/Item
Classical Music

5. Boulez, Pierre. (1925–2016).
Autograph Musical Quotation with Autograph Note

Autograph musical quotation, unsigned, from the important French composer and conductor, who has penned an extract from his Memoriale for flute and strings, identified at the foot. Together with an accompanying autograph letter (translated from the German): "To Heinrich Zaag with my best wishes, this autograph – a short excerpt from Memoriale. P. Boulez." In very fine condition. AMQS and note 8 x 6 inches (20.5 x 15 cm).  Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music

6. Brahms, Johannes. (1833–1897).
Brahms on his Deathbed - Original Photograph

A moving original photograph of the great composer on his deathbed, as photographed by Eugen von Miller zu Aichholz. Brahms is seen from the left side resting peacefully in bed, with a few flowers strown around his head and shoulders. The photograph has been tipped to a cardboard mount loosely covered in dark red velvet. A few very light scuffs to the surface of the photograph; overall wear to the velvet mount, with toned tape repair to the verso; photograph otherwise in fine condition. Photograph 4 7/8 x 3.5 inches (12.4 x 9 cm), mounted to 7 x 7 inches (18 x 18 cm). Read More...

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Unsigned Photograph
Classical Music

7. Brahms, Johannes. (1833–1897).
Signed Cabinet Photograph

Cabinet photograph, signed by the German romantic composer and pianist. A head and shoulders image of the famous composer shown in semi-profile in this 1894 photograph by Rudolf Krziwanek, signed at the upper left portion of the image in dark black ink, "Johannes Brahms". 10.8 x 16.4 cm [4.25 x 6.5 inches]. In exceptionally fine condition, contained in a mat but easily removed.  Read More...

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Signed Photograph
Classical Music

8. Brahms, Johannes. (1833–1897).
"Sind es Schmerzen, sind es Freuden" from "Die schöne Magelone" - Autograph Musical Quotation

Autograph musical quotation in the hand of the great composer, who has penned the opening three measures of his lied "Sind es Schmerzen, sind es Freuden" from "Die schöne Magelone", inscribed and signed "Johannes Brahms." From the album of Bertha Von Suttner (1843-1914), winner of the 1905 Nobel Peace Prize. In fine condition.  2.25 x 3.5 inches (9.3 x 5.6 cm). Read More...

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AMQS
Classical Music

9. Cadman, Charles Wakefield. (1881–1946).
Autograph Letter about the MacDowell Colony

Autograph letter signed from the American composer who wrote in every genre but is particularly known for his expertise on Native American music, to composer Theodore Stearns. April 15, [193-]; 1 p. Cadman writes: "Dear Friend Stearns – Was so sorry I did not get to talk or visit with you at MacDowell Concert. We made out rather well, I hear. The Colony League worked hard! Also made $200 down here. Mrs. MacD. is a dear and so worthy of aid as is the Colony. Glad you like Calif. and hope all goes well for you there. Surely will get to see you in late summer when am back from Europe & leave here 26th. Sail from N.Y. May 4th on S.S. Champlain. Visit the Isles, all of Scandinavia, Finland, Russia, Poland & Germany. And have some radio dates & concerts. With all good wishes—Yours, Charles W. Cadman." Toning; some mounting remnants to verso; overall fine. 7 x 10.25 inches (17.6 x 26 cm). Read More...

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Classical Music
Signed Document/Item

10. Cage, John. (1912–1992).
"Variations I" - Graphic Autograph Musical Quotation

Autograph musical quotation signed, ca. 1986, from the influential American composer's Variations I, taking the form of five overlapping straight lines and two dots. Cage has identified the piece and signed at the foot. Penned in blue ballpoint on an index card, 5 x 3 inches (12.7 x 7.6 cm). Identified in pencil on the verso in another hand and dated ca. 1986. Read More...

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AMQS
Classical Music

11. Charpentier, Gustave. (1860–1956).
Autograph Note on a Calling Card

Original calling card from the French composer, best known for his opera Louise, inscribed with a short autograph note (translated from the French): "All the best, and with apologies for my lateness." Pin holes at the left and light toning; overall very good. 3.75 x 2.25 inches (9.7 x 5.8 cm).

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Ephemera
Classical Music
Opera

12. Chopin, Frédéric. (1810–1849).
Signed French Copyright Agreement for the Publication of his Op. 20 Scherzo , Op. 21 Piano Concerto, Op. 22 Grand Polonaise and the Mazurkas Op. 24

Very rare signed document from the Polish composer and pianist, recording the sale of the French copyright to the Parisian publisher Maurice Schlesinger for some of his most celebrated works: the Scherzo No. 1 in B minor Op. 20, the Piano Concerto in F minor Op. 21, the Grand Polonaise in E-flat major Op. 22, and the four Op. 24 Mazurkas. 1 page. Paris, August, 1835. 20.5 x 22.5 cm. The handwritten document in French, prepared by a representative of the publishing company, signed by the composer in full "F.F. Chopin." "Je reconnais avoir vendu a Mr. Maur. Sch..ger la propriete pour la France des oeuvres suivants de ma Composition et j'ai recu de lui pour les dits ouvrages la somme de Douze cent francs...les ouvrages sont // 1. Scerzo op. // 2. 4. Mazurka op. // 3. Concerto. op. // 4. Polonaise op. // Paris le 7 Aout / 1835." On laid paper, the verso with a later note from the Publisher "7 Août 1835 Chopin." Upper margin stained, various creases and some small losses along the right edge, affecting two words, else fine. A great rarity. Read More...

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Signed Document/Item
Autograph letter from the virtuoso pianist and important music publisher, extending a dinner invitation. 1 p., n.d. Translated from the French: "If you are free, Monsieur, next Saturday [...] will you be so good as to join several other friends who are coming to dine at my house. We will sit down at 6:30, and it will be a great pleasure to have you among my guests." Somewhat toned, but otherwise fine. 5 x 8 inches (13 x 20.5 cm.) Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music

14. Cowell, Henry. (1897–1965).
Two Typed Letters Signed to Peter Pindar Stearns

Two typed letters signed from the pioneering American composer, theorist, pianist, publisher and impresario to the young composer Peter Pindar Stearns, concerning the Young Composers' Festival of 1956 at the Peabody Conservatory. Cowell served as Chairman of the festival. November 3, 1955 and March 26, 1956, each 1 p. Cowell writes in the first letter: "Dear Mr. Stearns: I have received your Piano Sonata, your Duo No. 2 for Violin and Viola, your choral work 'The Last Invocation', and your Sinfonia No. 3. We shall be examining these works very shortly, and thank you for sending them." In the second letter, he writes: "Now that the Young Composers' Festival is over and you have had, I hope, a pleasant journey home, I should like to tell you how very much we enjoyed your visit to Peabody [...] We shall watch your future progress with much interest." Together with an original envelope. Folding creases; overall very fine. 7.25 x 10.5 inches (18.3 x 26.6 cm). Read More...

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Classical Music
TLS

15. Elgar, Edward. (1857–1934).
Signed Postcard Photograph

Postcard photograph of the important English composer shown in a tweed suit looking face-on at the camera, signed in ink over the image at the foot: "Edward Elgar." Edges trimmed to an overall size of 3 x 5.25 inches (7.9 x 13.6 cm), slight silvering or surface irregularity, else fine. 

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Signed Photograph
Classical Music

16. Elkus, Jonathan. (b. 1931) [Ives, Charles. (1874–1954)].
Inscribed Scores and Music Manuscript

A small collection of early musical scores and one musical manuscript by the American composer known for his concert band compositions and his editions of Charles Ives, most of them inscribed in the 1960's to 1970 to David Greene, Elkus' colleague at Lehigh University, and to his wife, Mildred Greene. The collection includes the 14-page autograph score to Elkus' work Triptych, for bassoon quartet and mezzo soprano, and the finished score of the piece, dedicated to the Greenes and inscribed to them "always with the affectionate greetings of Jon E." Also present are inscribed scores to Elkus' opera Helen in Egypt, and choir, chamber and vocal works The Dorados, The Oxen, Postcards from the Rockies, and Two Sonnets, an inscribed copy of an autograph page from his opera The Outcasts of Poker Flat, as well as the uninscribed score and a typewritten libretto to Elkus' opera Medea.  Read More...

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Manuscript Music
Printed Music
Signed Document/Item
Classical Music
Opera

17. Falla, Manuel de. (1876-1946).
Signed Photograph

Signed halftone photograph of the influential Spanish composer, depicted standing at the piano before an open score, after the Lipnitzki, Paris studio photograph. Inscribed to Liberto Guidi in memory of their work together, 1939-1942, with Radio Mundo, founded in 1935 in Buenos Aires. 178 x 127 mm. Somewhat worn and creased; affixed to mount, trimmed to accommodate inscription and signature.

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Signed Photograph
Classical Music

18. Fauré, Gabriel. (1845–1924).
Autograph Letter about Paul Dukas and Taking the Waters

Autograph letter from the important French composer. [Bad-Ems, Germany], August 19, [1910]. 3 pp. Writing from the spa town of Bad Ems, which he visited twice in an effort to improve his approaching deafness, Fauré asks a colleague urgently to nominate Paul Dukas for the Conseil Supérieur of the Paris Conservatoire (to replace Charles Lenepveu, who had died on August 16, 1910.) He goes on to report that the news of his own health is not good, but that a Dr. Combe has prescribed a treatment. On letterhead of the Hotel 'Das Römerbad'. Very fine. 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 21.8 cm). Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music

19. Feldman, Morton. (1926 - 1987).
Autograph Letter

Exceedingly rare autograph letter from the influential American composer, a pioneer of indeterminate music, who works are characterized by notational innovations and a very particular sound: rhythms that seem to be free and floating; pitch shadings that seem softly unfocused; a generally quiet and slowly evolving music; recurring asymmetric patterns. Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music

20. Gevaert, Francois-Auguste. (1828–1908).
Two Autograph Letters

Two autograph letters from the Belgian musicologist and composer who served as the director of the Brussels Conservatoire. April 15, 1882 (1 p.) and November 4, 1887 (1 p.). In the first letter, Gevaert writes that he is sorry he will be unable to attend a concert of violinist Waldemar Meyer, performing a Beethoven concerto; in the second letter, to Meyer, he writes that unfortunately Meyer will not be able to perform in a concert series in Brussels: "Only the short space of time in which you are available this year (March and April) coincides unhappily with the end of the concert season." Folding creases; one corner loss; some toning; overall fine. 5 x 8 inches (13 x 20.5 cm).

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music