Spring 2019 Catalogue


Showing items 1 to 20

159 items in this catalogue total,
currently filtered to 156




An impressive collection of signed programs from several of the most significant American composers of the twentieth century. Included are signatures from Aaron Copland (dated 1983 and signed on a 1983 program); Samuel Barber (signed on a page from a 1978 program, rather creased); Philip Glass (signed on a 1995 Tanglewood program); John Adams (signed on a 1988 program of a concert entirely of his works); Roger Sessions (signed on a 1982 program from his opera Montezuma); Robert Ward (signed on a program from the 1983 symposium 'Where is Our American Music?'); Ned Rorem (signed on the verso of a 1983 'Concerts for Peace' program); David Diamond (signed on a 1990 program of a Juilliard Orchestra concert entirely of his works); and Carlisle Floyd (signed on a  page from a1983 program from a City Opera production of his opera Of Mice and Men.) In fine condition overall.

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Signed Document/Item
Classical Music
Opera

2. Antheil, George. (1900-1959).
Five Typed Letters Signed to Raymond Lewenthal

An interesting group of five typed letters signed from the avant-garde composer to American pianist Raymond Lewenthal, dating from June 1949 to January 1950 and concerning several of Antheil's later compositions, in particular his Fourth Sonata. Complete details below. Some light toning, but overall very fine. 7.25 x 10.5 inches and 8.5 x 11 inches. Rare.  Read More...

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TLS
Classical Music

3. Arlen, Harold. (1905–1986).
"The Wizard of Oz" Record Set - INSCRIBED BY THE COMPOSER

1939 4-disc set of first issue 78-RPM records of the cast-recording soundtrack album for the beloved film, inscribed by the composer, Harold Arlen, to his brother and sister-in-law. Housed in original illustrated covers. Inscribed in pen on the first record sleeve: "For Julie + Jean, Love Harold 12-18-39". Songs include "Over the Rainbow", "Munchkinland Part I & II", "If I Only Had a Brain", "If I Only Had a Heart", "The Merry Old Land of Oz", and "We're Off to See The Wizard". This record set includes the only known release of the movie's deleted musical number, "The Jitterbug", as the album was created and distributed before filming wrapped. Discs exhibit very little handling, but are untested. Front cover detached but present, with part of cloth tape torn. Edge wear to the covers, with cloth tape repair between inside front cover and first record sleeve. Overall very good. Read More...

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Signed Document/Item
Film

4. Bach, Johann Sebastian. (1685–1750).
Vingt-Quatre Préludes et Fugues [...] composés par Jean Sebastien Bach. 1re [2me] Suite.

A Zuric: Chez Jean Georges Naigueli. [1801; 1802]. Vingt-quatre Préludes et Fugues dans tous les tons et demi-tons du mode majeur et mineur, pour le Clavecin ou Piano-Forté, composés par Jean Sebastien Bach. 1re Suite, 109 pp.; 2me. Suite, 123 pp. Extremely scarce, complete first edition of both volumes of Johann Sebastian Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier. In contemporary half vellum with gilt-stamped title vignette on spine and gilt-stamped ownership label (L. C.) mounted on the front cover. Panels covered with pink paper, on front cover faded. (1), (2) [blank], 2–109, (1); (1), (2) [blank], 2–123, (1) p. Covers slightly rubbed, bumped at corners. Small damage to the spine at the head and tail. Erroneous volume number on the title page of the second volume revised in pen by contemporary hand as in other known copies. Fingering numbers marked above notes on page 11 and 27 of volume one in pencil. Small tear to page 94, of volume one, presumably because of a removed wax stain, with no effect on the score. Small misprint on page 63 of the second volume. Overall in fine condition. BWV, p.655 ; RISM B 500 and BB 500 ; second volume absent from RISM ; Fuld, pp.117-118 ; see Hoboken 95 and 98 (same but with the title pages in German).  Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music

5. [Bach, Johann Sebastian. (1685–1750)] Busoni, Ferruccio. (1866-1924).
Autograph Letter about his Edition of The Well-Tempered Clavier

A detailed autograph letter from the important Italian pianist and composer to an employee of his American publisher, Schirmer, sending the manuscript for the final book of his edition of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier and giving instructions for its engraving and publication. Dated Rügen, August 2, 1896. Busoni writes that he has "worked with great diligence and care" on the final book of the three-book edition, which he writes he believes "will be of lasting value." After instructing the engraver to take great care on the layout of the score and to leave space to add more performance markings, he suggests publishing his studies for some of the preludes and fugues as a separate edition -- "Such a publication (it only requires a new title page) ought to find a market" -- and finishes by mentioning the necessity of a complete hardback edition of the three books, and requesting a detailed invoice from Schirmer. An interesting letter which shows Busoni's business sense as well as his enthusiasm for the first part of what would become the complete Bach-Busoni editions. 3 pages of a bifolium. Rust marks from a paperclip; overall in fine condition. 4.5 x 7 inches. Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music

6. [Bach, Johann Sebastian. (1685-1750)] Gebser, Johann Ernst. .
Five Early Copyist Manuscripts of Keyboard Works

An interesting group of five copyist manuscripts of selected keyboard works by J. S. Bach, ca. 1820s-1830s, in the hand of Johann Ernst Gebser and with his signature and stamp on the title page of each. The works represented are the Goldberg Variations [BWV 988], the Canonic Variations on "Von Himmel Hoch" [BWV 769], two Preludes and Fugues in C [BWV 546 and 547], two ricercars from the Musical Offering [BWV 1079], and a selection of chorale preludes, including several from the Kirnberger preludes and several misattributed to Bach. Each manuscript bearing the signature of Ernst Gebser. One volume includes a postscript noting that Bach's complete organ works can be purchased from the music publisher Tobias Haslinger.  Each separately sewn with cardboard or paper covers, with one exception. Overall foxing and toning, some light water stains and a few edge tears, but structurally sound, very legible, and overall in fine condition.   Read More...

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Manuscript Music
Classical Music

7. Barber, Samuel. (1910–1981).
Autograph Musical Quotation Signed to the "Noble House of Steinway"

Autograph musical quotation signed from the important American composer's Sonata for piano, op. 26. Barber has penned the opening three measures of the sonata, signed and dated from his house "Capricorn" in Mt. Kisco, NY in June 1953, and added an inscription at the head: "Warm congratulations to the noble house of Steinway!" Steinway and Sons celebrated their 100th anniversary in 1953. Matted and framed together with a postcard photograph of Barber. Sight size 7.5 x 7 inches (19.5 x 18 cm), framed to an overall size of 13 x 19 inches. Frame scratched in one place; otherwise very fine overall. Read More...

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AMQS
Classical Music

8. Bartók, Béla. (1881–1945).
Mikrokosmos - Two Signed Columbia Test Pressings

Rare and unusual original pair of Columbia Recording Corporation 12″ inch test pressings, one marked "Pt 1, Mikrokosmos, Bartok" and the other "Pt IV, Mikrokosmos, Bartok," both signed by the composer on the label: "Accepted / Bartok." Framed to an overall size of 16.75 x 30.75. In very good to fine condition, with some paper loss to each label. Read More...

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Ephemera
Classical Music

9. Bartók, Béla. (1881–1945).
Signed Photograph

Original sepia postcard photograph boldly signed in black ink by the Hungarian composer in the lower blank margin, "Bartók Béla." The photograph by Vajda M Pal of Budapest, ca. 1925. In fine condition, an ideal uninscribed example.

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Signed Photograph
Classical Music

10. [Bartók, Béla. (1881–1945)] Böhm, Karl. (1894–1981).
Vier Orchesterstücke - Karl Böhm's Signed Copy with Autograph Notes

Wien-New York: Universal-Edition. 1923. Score to Bartok's suite of Four Orchestral Pieces, op. 12, owned and used by the important Austrian conductor. 111 pp. Universal-Edition, No. 7270. Signed and dated 1946 by Karl Böhm on first free endpaper and with his annotations and notes in blue and red on almost every page of the score. Black alligator boards, slightly worn, black cloth spine with title in gilt. Gutter reinforced with archival tape. Overall very fine. 9.25 x 12 inches (23.5 x 30.7 cm). Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music

11. Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770–1827).
Quatuors ... tirés du Ballet intitulé Die Geschöphe des Prometeus. [Op. 43]

Vienne: Artaria et Comp.. [1803]. Quatuors / pour / deux Violons, Viole, et Basse / tirés du Ballet intitulé / Die Geschöphe [sic] des Prometeus [Op. 43]. First edition of arrangement for string quartet; earliest issue with misprint "Geschöphe" on title. Upright folio (24 x 35.5 cm). Violino I: 16 p.; violino II: 15 p. (p. 1 blank); viola: 15 p. (p. 1 blank); violoncello: 14 p. (p. 1 blank). Engraved throughout. [PN] 1620. Kinsky p. 103.   Ex-libris Luisa Sormani Busca Arconati Visconti to left edge of title, scattered light foxing but overall a clean and fine copy. Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music

12. Brahms, Johannes. (1833–1897).
"I simply cannot permit myself to take the risk of trying out an unknown instrument" - Autograph Letter Signed

Autograph letter signed from the great composer to piano manufacturer G. Ritmüller of Göttingen. 1 p. on a postcard, postmarked January 14, 1880. Translated from the German, in full: "Believe me that it would be with very special joy that I would play one of your grand pianos in H[annover], but I am unable and cannot permit myself to do so. I arrive just in time for the rehearsal and have a great deal to play and conduct during the concert, and for this reason I simply cannot permit myself to take the risk of trying out an unknown instrument. If the opportunity should come again, we will look to come to a mutually satisfactory understanding, and as mentioned, it would be a pleasure for me to play on my old acquaintance ‘Ritmüller’ one more time. With best wishes, yours, J. Brahms." Postcard rather toned with a few smudges, but overall fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (14 x 9 cm). Nicely matted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 11 x 16.5.  Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music

13. [Cadets] Sweeney, J. R..
Col. Hyatt's Military Polka - Sheet Music

Philadelphia: Lee & Walker. c. 1864. Sheet music to a polka "respectfully dedicated to the cadets of the Penn.a Military Academy, West Chester, PA, by Jno. R. Sweeney. Color lithograph to the title of cadets in formations in front of the academy building, by T. Sinclair. 8 pp. Gift inscription and ownership signature to the head of the title. Some toning; left edge rough; overall fine. Upright folio. 10.25 x 13.5 inches (26 x 34.5 cm).

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Classical Music

14. Cherubini, Luigi. (1760–1842).
Lock of Cherubini's Hair

An original lock of hair from the great Italian composer, regarded by Beethoven as the greatest of his contemporaries. Tied with a red thread and handsomely mounted and framed together with a handwritten label (translated from the French): "Lock of hair from Cherubini, given to M. Schlesinger [the music publisher Adolph Martin Schlesinger (1769 - 1838)] January 27, 1831," a further handwritten label in German reading "Lock of Cherubini's Hair," and a small oval portrait. Overall size 11.75 x 13.5 inches (30 x 35 cm). Very fine. Read More...

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Ephemera
Classical Music

15. Copland, Aaron. (1900–1990).
Signed Program Page

Signed program extract from the important American composer, from a November 28, 1983 all-Copland performance of the American Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Copland has signed over the program listing. The program included Copland's Music for the Theatre, Appalachian Spring, Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra, and Short Symphony. 4 pp., taken from a longer program. Very fine. 5.5 x 9 inches (14.2 x 22.8 cm).

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16. Debussy, Claude. (1862–1918).
Portrait Medal Plaquette

Cast bronze portrait medallion of the important composer by Pierre Turin. Obverse: Bust-length relief in profile, turned to the left. Bearded, wearing jacket, hair parted on the left. Inscribed below the image CLAUDE DEBUSSY. With the name P. TURIN below the beard. Reverse inscribed CLAUDE DEBUSSY / 1862-1918 / CETTE MEDAILLE / A ÉTÉ FRAPPÉE / A L'OCCASION / DE L'ÉRECTION / DES MONUMENTS DE / CLAUDE DEBUSSY / A PARIS / ET A ST GERMAINE EN LAYE. Rectangular, 1.5 x 2.25 inches (4.2 x 5.9 cm). In a vintage fitted case lined in red silk (covering of the case somewhat torn, overall very good). Niggl 538. Read More...

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Ephemera
Classical Music

17. [Drug Store Music] Ward, Charles L..
Glass Fountain Polka - Sheet Music

Louisville, Ky: D. P. Faulds & Co.. c. 1861. Sheet music to a polka "respectfully dedicated to Oliver H. Strattan of the Capitol Drug Store by Charles L. Ward. Attractive cover design with a color lithograph of the O. H. Stratton drug store, with a decorative frame with the names of items sold at the drug store. 5 pp. Left edge rough, some light edge creases and toning; overall fine. Upright folio. 10.25 x 13.5 inches (26 x 34.5 cm).

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18. Dunbar, Paul Laurence. (1872–1906) & Cook, Will Marion. (1869–1944).
Good Evenin', A Real Native Southern Negro Melody

[New York]: Music Supplement of the N. Y. American and Journal. 1903. 4 pp. Pictorial cover in blue and orange. With words by Paul Laurence Dunbar, "the Negro Poet," and music by Will Marion Cook, "the Negro Composer." The final page of music is printed in orange ink. Toned with some light edge wear, but overall fine. 10.75 x 14 inches (27.5 x 35.3 cm). Rare. Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music

19. Fauré, Gabriel. (1845–1924) [Schmitt, Florent. (1870–1958)] .
Two Autograph Letters to Bréval on behalf of Florent Schmitt

An important pair of autograph letters, 1898-99, addressed to the soprano Lucienne Bréval asking her to sing the works of his student, Florent Schmitt, who had recently won second prize of the Prix de Rome in 1897 with his cantata, Frédégonde. Each 1 and a half pages, 8vo, signed "Gabriel Fauré professeur de composition au Conservatoire."  Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music

20. [Fluxus].
Aspen Magazine - The Fluxus Issue

Aspen Magazine, No. 8, Fall-Winter 1970-71, The Fluxus Issue, edited by Dan Graham. An incomplete copy of this multimedia portfolio, comprising twelve of the original fourteen items and with the addition of two phonograph recordings from Aspen no. 5+6 and no. 7. The contents include works by John Cage, Morton Feldman, John Tavener, Steve Reich, Jackson MacLow, La Monte Young, and others. Complete contents listed below. Toning, scattered creases, tears, and losses; overall very good. Portfolio 11.25 x 11 inches (28.8 x 28.3 cm). Read More...

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Book
Art & Design