Autograph letter from the Italian composer of more than 600 songs, including the celebrated "Funiculi funicula." 19 Feb., 1887. 4 pp. In French, with complete typed transcription. Friendly content, even a bit flirtatious, evidently to a former female student, joking about calling her "Mad.elle," noting "what an egoist I am!," fondly recalling their time in Nice and lamenting that he is too occupied presently in London except to depart in August and September, asking if she might visit the "foggy country," perhaps in the spring, and noting that he is sending her some of his Songs of May. In fine condition. From the collection of the Contessa Cais di Pierlas-Mocenigo.
Bruxelles: Imp. Simonau & Toovey. [ca. 1860]. Original large format portrait lithograph by De Prins, inscribed and signed "Presented to Carlo Matton by the niece of H. Vieuxtemps / Louise Vieuxtemps." 24.5 x 20.5 cm, on a larger mount with biographical information measuring 35 x 29 cm overall. The full sheet laid down to rigid backing, scattered browning and staining, a few chips around the edges, else fine. Read More...
Striking signed doubleweight original Mira [Myra Armstrong[ photograph of the American dancer and choreographer, best known as the Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 10 x 8 inches. Stamped on the verso by the photographer. Fine.
8. Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770–1827). Adelaide. Gedicht v: Matthisson mit deutschen und italienischen Text / Für das Clavier, oder Piano-Forte und eine Sing Stimme Componirt. [Op. 46]
Wien: Cappi. [1804]. Oblong 4to. 9 pp. Engraved. [PN] 1131. An early edition of this bewitchingly beautiful song, first published by Artaria in 1797. Beethovenhaus 00.349. With the ownership signature of Bruckner's assistant and copyist "Victor Christ 1891" and an earlier signature of Ig. Scheidtenberger. Spotting, some small tears and toning around the edges, central vertical crease, else very good.
Jumbo Falk of NY bust portrait cabinet photograph of the great soprano, Shanghai-born American Golden Age star. Boldly signed "Emma Eames Story / 1899" following her marriage to the society painter, Julian Story. In very fine condition and rare in this large format. 7.5 x 12.5 inches [19 x 32 cm].
A desirable signed real photo postcard of the honey-voiced tenor at his most dapper, dated 1933. Stamped by the photographer G. Grazioli of Firenze at bottom right corner. Boldly signed in blue ink and in crisp, very fine condition. Read More...
Scarce original CDV photograph of the great violinist. Issued by E. Desmaisons (Paris), 6.2 x 9.8 cm. Slightly trimmed along bottom margin, otherwise fine.
Vieuxtemps was one of the most imporant musicians of the 19th century. As one of the greatest of all violin virtuosos, he was compared to Paganini by both Schumann and Berlioz. As a composer, he was an important reformer of the concerto and in this regard, according to Grove, "can be compared to Liszt."
9. Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770–1827). Trois sonates pour le piano-forte avec accompagnement de violon ... par Louis van Beethoven. Oeuvre 30.
Paris: Janet et Cotelle.. [1828]. Upright folio. Livraison I - III: three volumes bound together in blue marbled boards. Lacking violin part. Engraved throughout. [PN] 1118, 1119, 1120. Blue marbled boards. First and second title pages present but separated, signatures a little loose generally, a few creased pages, generally very good otherwise.
180. Rome, Harold. (1908–1993). "That's the Ticket" - Three Signed Songs, including an Autograph Musical Quotation of "I Shouldn't Love You"
New York: Crawford Music Corporation. 1948. Grouping of three signed and inscribed songs from the American composer, lyricist, and writer for musical theater. " I Shouldn't Love You," 2 pp., inscribed with an AMQS; "Take off the Coat," 3 pp.; "The Money Song," 6 pp. A few nicks to edges, corners bent, else fine. Read More...
Boldly penned AMQS from the popular English composer. Four measures from an unidentified work in B minor, marked "Con Anima" and "mf espress[ivo]" and signed "Granville Bantock." On a small paper measuring 11 x 5.5 cm. Scarce.
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.
128. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. (1756–1791). Kantate. Heiliger siehgnädig hern. &c.... in Partitur. No 1 [Litanie de venerabili altarie sacramento, Anh. K. 125]
Leipzig: Breitkopf & Hartel. [1807]. First printing. FIRST EDITION OF THE FULL SCORE with adapted text. Upright folio. Engraved throughout. [PN] 405. 26 pp. Scattered foxing, handling stains, generally very good. Bound in brown paper boards with handwritten title to front, dated 1807. Köchel[6] p. 748 and 772 (Anh. B KV 125 Nr. 1, 6, 7, 8); RISM M/MM 4109; Kat. Hoboken 12 Nr. 625. Read More...
Paris: Benoit ainé. [1851]. Upright Folio. Three volumes bound as one, piano score only. Engraved. [PN] 36, 37, 38. 17, 17, 15 pp. Bound in speckled paper boards.
Early French editions of the original Piano Quartets, K. 493 & 478 as well as an early arrangement for Piano Quartet of the Quintet K. 452 with piano and brass. One of the first editions of the publisher Benoit in Paris, who began their publishing firm in the same year.
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania: Theodore Presser Company in association with Universal Edition. 1959. 8vo. [i], ii-vi, [vii], 1-61 pp, including foldout excerpt of Stockhausen's Studie II and a spectrogram of Eimert's Glockenspiel. Fine binding of black and red leather with inset marbled paper abstractions, marbled endpages, the full journal issue bound in including front wrapper. A stunning and elaborate fine binding on an excellent first edition copy of this English version of the innovative music journal, edited by Herbert Eimert and Karlheinz Stockhausen. A few nicks to binding, spine slightly rubbed, overall very fine. Read More...
A vintage 8 x 10 inch original promotional portrait of Calloway pictured in a broad brimmed hat, signed and inscribed in blue ink "To...Best Wishes, Hi-di-Ho Cab Calloway." In fine condition.
A rare and interesting autograph letter from the great Hungarian composer, discussing future concerts and stating that if things go according to plans, he would like the make the whole program consist of a single work. "Aber, wenn es so gelingt wie ich es jetzt plane, möchte ich das ganze Programm als eine einzige Komposition gestalten." 2 pp. N.p., n.d.. To Dirk Nabering of the Gustav-Mahler-Gesellschaft in Berlin. Fine.
11. Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770–1827) [Hummel, Johann Nepomuk. (1778–1837)]. Septet, Op. 20, Grand Septuor de Louis van Beethoven arrangé pour le Pianoforte seul ou avec Accompagnement d'une Flûte, Violon et Violoncelle par J.N. Hummel, Maitre de Chapelle à Weimar et Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Légion d'honneur
Leipzig: C.F. Peters. [by 1829]. Upright folio. 31 pp. Engraved throughout. [PN] 1983. Piano part only. Kinsky p. 51, Nachdrücke "e." Outer edge with some bends and nicks, cover rather soiled, else fine throughout.
First German edition of the Hummel arrangement of the work originally composed for violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, clarinet, horn and bassoon.