AMQS of the Broadway composer and lyricist's song "Hey There," from The Pajama Game, penned on a 1973 first day cover honoring George Gershwin. Postmarked Beverly Hills, 1973. Adler has penned the first three measures of the much-recorded show tune. Slight discoloration at the left side; otherwise a fine FDC which unites two great Broadway composers. 16.5 x 9.2 cm.
London: R. Cocks & Co.. [1837]. Very rare sammelband of first edition publications from the French-Jewish composer and pianist, with an interesting history. From the collection of Clarisse Mercié-Porte, a professor at the Conservatoire de Paris; this bound volume once included a now-removed copy of Chopin's Op. 31, inscribed to her by the composer. Remaining in the volume are four sets of virtuosic works for piano by Alkan, published by Richault, 1837. Quarter-bound in green leather and marbled boards; front board detached, spine missing. Handwritten label to the front board noting the previous inscription from Chopin. Block and back board intact and internally fine; overall good. Contained in a custom cloth box. Read More...
1979 "Americana" first day cover, signed by four greats of American jazz, pop, and film music. With autographs from film composers John Williams (Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Harry Potter) and Bill Conti (Rocky, For Your Eyes Only), R&B and rock & roll piano pioneer Fats Domino and influential jazz composer and pianist Dave Brubeck ("Take Five," "Blue Rondo à la Turk." The FDC features an image of a girl playing the guitar and the caption, "Listen with Love to the Music of the Land." With the original stamps and 1979 postmark. In very fine condition, 16.5 x 9.2 cm.
Paris: Chez Mr. De Roullede De la Chevardiere. [ca. 1780–1785]. Journal d'arietes [sic], scenes et duo traduits, imités ou parodiés de l'Italien. Par Mr. D. C. Amateur dédié à S. A. R. Monseigneur le Comte d'Artois. No. III. Scene et Rondeau de l'Opera la Celemnce de Scipion, del Sigr. Giovanne Bach. Engraved sheet music to a brief duet from J. C. Bach's opera La Clemenza di Scipion (1778), in a French translation. 1 p. of music preceded by 2 pp. advertising for the publications available from M. de la Chevardiere. Engraved throughout, with frontispiece by Gerardin. Fine. 10.5 x 14 inches (26.5 x 35 cm). Read More...
Three autograph postcards from the important American composer to a Mrs. Attwood, ca. 1904–1905, two related to her piano work Variations on Balkan Themes, op. 60. Two of the postcards are invitations to attend a musical gathering at Beach's home; in the first (n.d., 2 pp.), she writes: "Knowing your interest in national folk-songs of all countries, I write to ask if you and Mr. Attwood will not come to us on Thursday the 28th at a little before four o'clock. Mrs. Ruggles, contralto, and her brother, Rev. Mr. Sleeper, will give us some interesting Bulgarian folk-songs gather by Mr. Sleeper during his missionary days..." In the second (n.d., 2 pp.) she writes: "I am asking just a few friends to hear my new 'Variations on Balkan Themes' on Thursday afternoon June 1st at four o'clock [...] I think that you will find the 'themes,' at least, interesting." The final postcard (August 14, 1905) sends best wishes from Cape Cod. Some light toning and edge wear; overall fine. 5.5 x 3.25 inches (14 x 8.2 cm) and 5 x 4 inches (12.8 x 10.3 cm). Together with an envelope bearing a collector's note. Read More...
Sammelband of early and mostly lifetime Parisian or Mainz editions of four Beethoven piano sonatas, as well as the piano parts for four violin sonatas and two cello sonatas. Engraved throughout, with several title pages signed or stamped by the publishers. Red and brown full leather with gold stamps to the boards and spine. 210 pp. total. Foxing and toning; heavy wear to covers with some repairs; structurally sound and overall very good. 10 x 13 inches. Read More...
Autograph musical quotation from the important Austrian composer, who has neatly penned four measures of the piano part from his Kammerkonzert (mm. 323–5, marked "Schleppend"), signed below and dated January 30, 1927. On a small card, inscribed at the head to a Cuban collector. Together with the original transmissal envelope, stamped on the flap with Berg's address and with the addition of "Vienna, Austria" in his hand. Overall toning and some light foxing; otherwise fine. 5.25 x 3 inches (13.4 x 7.5 cm). Read More...
A bold autograph signature from the important twentieth-century composer, signed over a program clipping which shows his photograph over the first page from the score of his opera Un Re in Ascolto. Berio has dated on the mount: September 12, 1989. Mounted on a white card to a total size of 6 x 8.25 inches (15 x 21 cm.) In very fine condition. Read More...
New York: Irving Berlin Music Corporation. c. 1966. Signed sheet music to the great songwriter's beloved hit "God Bless America," inscribed by Berlin on the cover "To class 4, 1977–78 Edmund Anthony Jr School—With love and best wishes, Irving Berlin." 6 pp. 9 x 12 inches. In May of 1978, a group of elementary school students in Fairhaven, MA wrote to Irving Berlin to wish him a happy 90th birthday, sending drawings they had made of what they thought several of Berlin’s song titles meant. In response, in January 1979, Berlin sent hand-signed copies of “God Bless America” to each class, of which this is one example. In very fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (23 x 30.5 cm). Read More...
Autograph letter from the important composer to a Captain Lemétéyer at Le Havre, thanking the captain for notifying Berlioz of his son's safe departure on a voyage. Paris, April 23, 1851. Translated from the French, in part: "I was very happy, dear sir, for your cordial attention in letting me know of my son's happy departure. I feared that he might not have recovered from the illness that he had told me about, and you have reassured me." 1 p., folded and addressed by Berlioz on the outer leaf with stamp, postmarks and remains of seal. 8.25 x 5.25 inches (20.5 x 13.5 cm). Read More...
Paris: Henry Lemoine. [ca. 1855]. Second edition. Contenant le tableau exact de l'étendue, un apperçu du mécanisme et l'étude du timbre et du caractère expressif des divers instruments accompagné d'un grand nombre d'exemples. Large upright folio. 312 pp. Lithographed. [PN] 996 (14518 HL on pages 1-2). Original self-printed yellow boards, rebacked in half red cloth. Boards somewhat soiled and bumped, scattered minor foxing, otherwise fine. Read More...
Fine original cabinet card of the important composer, photographed by Reutlinger. From the collection of the magnificent soprano Jessye Norman, who is particularly known for her performances of Berlioz' Les Troyens, La Damnation de Faust, Les nuits d'été and La mort de Cléopatre. One area of soiling on the image and some chips to the card; otherwise overall fine. 4.25 x 6.5 inches (10.9 x 16.4 cm).
Original press photograph of the American conductor and composer in a Hawaiian loincloth and coconut frond hat, celebrating his 42nd birthday on the island of Maui. Bernstein is pictured with Luella Wright, executive director of the Maui visitors' bureau, and an unidentified girl. A charming image showing Bernstein's sense of fun. Unevenly trimmed with lower edge rough; otherwise in fine condition. 19 x 20.8 cm.
An interesting collection of press photographs from various moments in the great American conductor and composer's career. Among other scenes, Bernstein is pictured with Luciano Pavarotti and Leontyne Price at the 1987 AIDS benefit "Music for Life"; coaching a very young Midori; with conductor Karl Böhm; with Seiji Ozawa at his 70th birthday gala in 1988; and with local musicians while on tour in Tokyo and Bolivia. Read More...
New York / London: G. Schirmer. [copyright 1960]. Score to the American composer's piano work Four Anniversaries, signed on the front cover in black felt tip. 11 pp. In very fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (23 x 30 cm).
The piano composition Four Anniversaries was composed in 1948 and consists of four movements, each written for a different person in Bernstein’s life: Felicia Montealegre, Johnny Mehegan, David Diamond, and Helen Coates.
New York: M. Witmark & Sons. [copyright 1943]. Score to the American composer's song cycle I Hate Music!, signed on the title page. 16 pp. In very fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (22.8 x 30.3 cm).
Bernstein's cycle of 5 "Kid Songs," composed in 1943, was dedicated to Edys Merril, his friend and onetime flatmate. She was apparently often known to utter the title phrase when the composer was practicing too loud!
New York / London: G. Schirmer. [copyright 1960]. Score to the American composer's song cycle La Bonne Cuisine, signed and inscribed on the front cover in black ink. 15 pp. In very fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (23 x 30 cm).
Bernstein's 1948 song cycle La Bonne Cuisine is a setting of the texts of four recipes from the book La Bonne Cuisine Française by Emile Dumont. The recipes set are for Plum Pudding , Queues de Boeuf, Tavouk Gueunksis, and Civet à Toute Vitesse ("Rabbit at Top Speed").
Original press photograph of the American conductor and composer onstage at the 1962 opening of New York's Philharmonic Hall, later Avery Fisher Hall. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk are visible giving a standing ovation in the balcony, as Bernstein accepts the audience's applause. The concert was televised as "Opening Night at Lincoln Center." Dated September 23, 1962. Right edge rough; slight scratches to the image; otherwise in fine condition. 21 x 19 cm.
Original press photograph of the American composer and conductor playing an upright piano, surrounded by children, before one of his "Young People's Concerts" in 1958. Bernstein described the Young People's Concerts, which he led with the New York Philharmonic from 1958 to 1972, as "among my favorite, most highly prized activities of my life," and this image captures his passion for education. Slight cracks and creases to the corners; otherwise a crisp image in fine condition. 17.8 x 23.3 cm.
Original press photograph of the American conductor and composer in a vigorous pose, conducting an unidentified ensemble outdoors. Visible are a clarinetist, the hands of a trumpet player and the bell and slide of a trombone, as well as a few audience members. Copyrighted 1957. Slight creases; otherwise in fine condition. 26 x 20.5 cm.