Autograph fair copy musical manuscript in the hand of the composer, six pages on two sets of adjoining sheets, 6.75 x 10, January 19, 1961, signed and inscribed on the cover sheet in fountain pen "For John Hahessy, Corpus Christi Carol, (from 'A Boy was Born'), Benjamin Britten," similarly inscribed and titled and initialled "BB" at the head of the first page of music and signed again in full "Benjamin Britten / Jan. 19th 1961" at the conclusion. Britten has penned the music and lyrics for the complete song across five pages of three systems each, voice and piano, dedicating it to John Hahessy, a boy soprano who worked with Britten often and premiered several of his works and who went on to become a tenor performing under the name John Elwes. Sold together with a musical manuscript of the vocal part only that was used by John Hahessy to learn his part for the premiere, penned in the hand of Imogen Holst, the only child of Gustav Holst, herself a composer, arranger conductor, teacher, musicologist and musical administrator. Holst worked as Britten’s assistant from the early 1950s until 1964; she taught and coached the young boy soprano, John Hahessy, on the Corpus Christ Carol for the premiere. Both with very light foxing but overall in fine condition. Read More...
8. [Civil War] [Sampler]. "Charity: An Ode" - Impressive Civil War Musical Sampler by a 21 year old Woman
A remarkable and highly unusual large musical sampler, recording a detailed musical score across two open "pages", with five systems of a presumed vocal line over keyboard, each consisting of approximately 11 measures and the final of which identified as the "Chorus." 25 x 35.5 inches (63.5 x 89 cm) framed, 16.5 x 24 inches (42 x 61 cm) without. Titled at the head Charity: An Ode and identified as By J. Sampson and dated 1842, a year which may have coincided with a date near the birth of the identified maker of the present sampler, Elizabeth Langham, who has signed the embroidery at the foot "Aged 21" in "1863". One area of staining, unexamined out of frame, likely backed in some way, but in otherwise apparently fine condition. We have been unable to trace any examples of a sampler of this kind. Read More...
Signed 1974 Columbia Masterworks – M 32736 record Copland Conducts Copland – Appalachian Spring (Complete Ballet), First Recording Of The Original Version with Columbia Chamber Orchestra, boldly signed in black ink on the back of the sleeve and dated 1978. In very fine condition. 12 x 12 inches (20.8 x 30.8 cm). Read More...
Autograph note from the Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist, and teacher considered one of the most important opera composers of the first half of the 20th century. 6 lines in Czech on the verso of the composer's printed visiting card, untranslated, sold together with the stamped and addressed envelope. In fine condition. 4.5 x 3 inches (11.7 x 7.8 cm)
Brief ALS in French, signed “Poulenc,” one page, 5.25 x 4, no date [circa 1948], from "Noizay," a handwritten letter to the Russian composer and music essayist Yevgeny Gunst, in full (translated): “With the amount of my debt - I will see you soon dear sir." In overall fine condition. Accompanied by an original vintage 2.75 x 2 contact sheet photo of the French village Ecurie, annotated on the back by an unknown hand. Read More...
Excellent bust portrait postcard photograph of the Italian composer, signed in fountain pen ink in the blank lower margin, “Giacomo Puccini.” Addressed on the verso to Ms Emilia Fabini, sister of the important Uruguayan composer Eduardo Fabini (1882 - 1950). 3.5 x 5.5 inch (9 x 14 cm). In very fine condition.
Paris: Moreau [Éditeurs] - G. de Malherbe [Imprimeur]. 1907. Rare deluxe original program from the historic 1907 performance series at the Théâtre de l'Opéra in Paris, "Cinq Concerts Historiques Russes," at the Opéra de Paris on 16, 19, 23, 26, and 30 May 1907, at which Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Alexander Glazunov conducted and/or played some of their works. The striking cover was designed by Russian artist Evgenii Lansere [Eugene Lanceray], and there are numerous illustrations throughout by Ilya Repin, Léon Bakst, Valentin Serov, Eugeniusz Zak, Konstantin Korovin, and Viktor Vasnetsov, including stage settings and portraits of the composers. 96 pp. 8.5 x 10.75 inches (22 x 27.5 cm.). Glossy program pages with light toning in a few areas, generally fine condition, outer heavy paper wrappers with a few marks and small creases, overall fine. With the collection sticker of Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge to the inner front cover, this copy formerly owned by La Stupenda herself! Read More...
Time. The Weekly Newsmagazine. Volume XL. Number 3. July 20, 1942, featuring the famous illustration on the cover by Boris Artzybasheff. 80 pp. In fine condition. Read More...
A very unusual original 8 x 10 inch photograph of the great Finnish composer. Verso news clipping titled "Sibelius Receives Food from America," describes the delivery by "Finland of Care," of four forty-nine pound packages containing food sent from America: "The Sibeliuses, like everybody else in Finland, were very much interested in the subject of food and related how severely the shortage had affected them." Light rippling, otherwise very good.
Original pass or coupon for a recital by the important Italian composer/pianist/conductor at the Music Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, April 28, 1910, letterpress printed on orange cardstock measuring. In crisp, perfectly preserved condition, and handsome for display. A rare ephemeral survival from a Brooklyn engagement by this consummate musician. The coupon includes scheduling and ticket information and notes that it is Busoni's "Farewell Recital in American this Season." 2.5 x 3.25 in (6.5 x 8 cm).
Signed publicity sepia bust portrait of the French pianist whose recordings of the Mozart concertos with Szell are models of elegance and transparency. Inscribed to Harry Friedgut (1901-1975), managing director of the New York City Center of Music and Drama, "To Dr. Harry Friedgut/ Sincérement / Robert Casadesus/ Dec. 1942." Scattered light surface creases and a couple small stains, else fine. 8 x 10 inches ( 20.5 x 25.5 cm). Read More...
Signed matte portrait of the legendary Ukrainian-born pianist in concert attire with bowtie. Signed "Vl Horowitz 1988 July." The photograph is considerably earlier (ca. 1970?). 5.5 x 3.5 inches (13.9 x 8.8 cm). In excellent condition.
Striking and highly unusual Harcourt of Paris photograph of the Soviet violinist shown from the side rear, holding his instrument and bow in one hand, cigarette dangling from his mouth, and bending down to replace a matchbook on the ground. In very fine condition. 7 x 9.4 inches (18 x 24 cm.). Read More...
Striking original vintage photograph of the great violinist's hands in full embrace of his fiddle. 1941 date stamped to verso. Some press pencil markings (to add contrast for magazine publication), silvering and light damage to lower edge, light creases, otherwise in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm).
Signed Geoffrey Landesman photograph of the popular pianist duo, signed and inscribed to Harry Friedgut (1901-1975), managing director of the New York City Center of Music and Drama. Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm). Read More...
Attractive O. E. Nelson portrait photograph of the great Russian violinist studying a musical score, boldly signed with his name alone and dated "1962" in black felt tip. "S. Hurok Presents" stamp to verso. An ideal uninscribed example, in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Striking and unusual original Lauterwasser of Überlingen/Bodensee photograph of three greatest of all Soviet musicians - Richter seated at the keyboard, with Slava leaning over to demonstrate something and Oistrakh looking on. Dated 1970 in pencil on the verso, the year after their celebrated Beethoven Triple Concerto recording with Karajan. Small crease to right edge, else fine condition. 7 x 9.4 inches (18 x 24 cm.).
77.
[Instrumentalists]
[Pianists] Dubal, David. (b. 1940). "The World of the Concert Pianist" - With Signatures of 50+ Pianists including Horowitz, Arrau, Rubinstein!
London: Victor Gollancz Ltd.. 1985. First Edition. A copy of the book with signatures of most of the 35 pianists interviewed in the book as well as many others, as well as some in duplicate. From the collection of English orchestra manager John Charles, who obtained most of the autographs in person. Signatures spread over the pages of the book; if the pianist is interviewed, the signature is placed in the respective chapter. A few autographs are pasted in, especially from pianists who died soon after the publication of the book, but most are on the book pages themselves. There is one signed postcard photograph of Horowitz, some short notes from different figures, but most are signatures only. In two cases the signatures are xeroxes of pieces held in other areas of the collector's holdings and these are noted in the below list. Numerous annotations by John Charles. 9.25 x 6.25 inches (23.5 x 16 cm). Dust jacket worn and frayed at edges; one tear to back repaired with plastic tape; else in fine condition. An extraordinary collection. Read More...
Rare early program signed in pencil by the great fiddler. Arad, 18. 2. 1910. 230 x 145 mm. Folded, one 4 cm long tear along crease, generally worn but very attractive nevertheless.
Carl Flesch called him "the most outstanding and individual violinist I have ever heard in my life," and he was the dedicatee of many major works from Debussy, Saint-Saens, Franck, Chausson and others.
Doubleweight full-length portrait of the American singer, actress and comedian wearing jeans and a casual winter jacket in front of a concrete wall sprayed with graffiti. An ebullient image by the eminent American photographer David Gahr, then in Brooklyn; Gahr's copyright hand stamp to verso. 10 x 8 inches (25.3 x 20.1 cm). In fine condition.