Large 8vo. [2], 322 pages..24.5 x 15.5cm. Lithographed title; engraved music, [PN] 7954. Title page with the ownership signature upper right of German-American cellist and conductor Carl Bergmann ("New-port / 1st Sept. 54"). Original publisher's wrappers reinforced with cloth and paper tape along spine, worn, front cover and title separate from the block, light dampstaining or foxing to a handful of pages, otherwise good with no markings. Hirsch IV, 653; Hoboken 627. FROM THE COLLECTION OF DIMITRI MITROPOULOS.

FIRST EDITION of the full score of "The Great C major Symphony" (usually known as the 9th, and the composer's last), first issue, with "Pr. 10 Thlr." and code number "7954". 

Motivated by his implication in the revolutions of 1848 in Vienna, German-American cellist and conductor Carl Bergmann (1821 - 1876) came to the United States in 1850 as first cellist in the Germania Orchestra, a touring band of young German musicians, mostly refugees. When the conductor of that orchestra resigned the same year, Bergmann took over. The Germania Orchestra subsequently based itself in Boston before disbanding in 1854 after giving 800 concerts over its career. During this period Bergmann directed the Germanians in performances with the Handel and Haydn Society of that city, including the Boston premiere of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

Dimitri Mitropoulos was Greece’s most prolific conductor and New York Philharmonic Music Director from 1949-1958.  Widely regarded as one of the most significant conductors of the twentieth century, he is best remembered for his significant recorded legacy and for his commitment in bringing new compositions to the stage of major symphony orchestras.  Indeed, it is thanks to his efforts that many of our current symphonic standards made their way into the repertory.  He gave World and American premiers of seminal works such as Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 and Schoenberg’s Erwartung, as well as other major works by Schoenberg, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and many others.  His personal collection has been held in private hands since his death in 1960, when it passed to conductor James Dixon, his student and protégé.  Mitropoulos came to consider Dixon his son, introducing him to conductors and performing arts institutions around the world, jumpstarting his career.  When Mitropoulos died in 1960 he left all his belongings, including his scores, to Dixon.  The bulk of the musical library has been subsequently gifted to the University of Iowa’s music library, but a selection of rare items have been selected to be offered for sale exclusively by Schubertiade Music & Arts.