Program book from the complete Festival Casals in San Juan de Puerto Rico, dating from its second year, and including the complete programs, program notes, photographs and biographies of the performers. Boldly signed in blue ink "Pablo Casals" on the title page. Cover separating from block inside with some glue remnants and staple stains now visible, but otherwise fine. Read More...
Autograph note from the great Spanish composer, conductor, and cellist, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, boldly signed "Pablo Casals to Pablo Picasso" and inscribed in Spanish "With my greetings, admiration and best wishes" in blue ink to a loose leaf. In fine condition. 10.5 x 8 inches (26.5 x 20.5 cm.). Provenance: From the Estate of Richard de Grab, Czech photographer known especially for his many fine portraits of performing artists. We have been unable to find any information about the circumstances of the present inscription linking the two artists, Picasso and Casals, both of whom were deeply committed to advocating for peace and humanitarianism. Casals definitely did not appreciate some of the art of the Picasso. Kirk (p. 548) quotes from an interview of Casals in Musical America: "Do not tell me that anyone can understand Picasso when he paints a woman with five noses protruding from different parts of her body. How can anyone get anything out of such nonsense? It is not human!" Read More...
Christmas greeting card, signed and inscribed by Pablo Casals, with his wife Martita adding her name, both in ink. Sold together with the original envelope in which this was sent in 1958 to Gregory Marshak, close friend of the great cellist who, the previous year, had been instrumental in organizing the first "Concours Pablo Casals." 4.75 x 8 inches fully opened. Very fine.
Inscribed visiting card from the important Catalan cellist and composer, who has penned on a card printed with his name: "Reconnaissant—salutations et meilleurs voeux." With the original miniature transmissal envelope in Casals' hand, signed under the flap ("Exp: Pau Casals, Prades (P.O.)") and addressed to the violinist Fanny Brandeis in Louisville, KY. Also included are two small photographs, one showing Casals with violinist Alexander Schneider, and one showing Fanny Brandeis examining a Bach score with pianist Mieczysław Horszowski. Read More...
Original press photograph of the great Catalan cellist in conversation with a reporter for the Atlantic-Pacific Press Agency. A typed press blurb affixed to verso reads, translated from the Spanish, "Our editor Pedro Bilbao in conversation with the great cellist Pablo Casal, who has given this interesting statement exclusively to Atlantic-Pacific Press Agency." A handwritten note in pencil reads, "España. / Cellista Pablo Casal." Edge wear and surface creasing, else in fine condition. 7.5 x 5.5 inches (19 x 14 cm.).
Program book from the complete Festival de Prades of 1959, and including the complete programs, program notes, photographs and biographies of the performers. Boldly signed in blue ink "Pablo Casals" beneath his photograph and signed also by his wife, Martita Casals. Very fine. Sold together with a subscription flyer for the concert series. Read More...
Glossy photograph reproduction of a portrait of the great cellist with his facsimile signature, signed and inscribed in ink by Casals across the image. Stamped on the verso by the Metropolitan Musical Bureau. Inscription and signature a shade light, edges lightly nicked, else fine. 6 x 8.25 inches.
Geneva: Editions Kister. 1955. First edition. A magnificent book of gravure photographs of the important cellist, boldly signed with his name alone on the first free endpage. 31 pages, of which 16 are photographs. Edges lightly chipped, overall fine. Read More...
Amusing vintage 8 x 10 inch 1957 wire photograph of Casals making a funny face, as he reflects on how uncomfortable he is in the sun while making a film.
Reprints of two early photographs of the great Catalan cellist and composer, one signed "Pablo" in the image (printed in the negative and not hand signed). Fine. 5 x 6.25 inches (12.4 x 15.8 cm) and 5 x 7 inches (12.6 x 17.7 cm).
Original press wire photograph of the great Catalan cellist, enthusiastically wielding a knife over a music-themed cake at his ninetieth birthday celebration in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dated December 29, 1966. Press caption printed vertically to the right of the image. Significant toning and some image loss from fax transmission; otherwise in good condition. 7.5 x 9.5 inches (19.2 x 24.3 cm).
A signed color reproduction of painting by the Austrian painter known for his distinctively expressionistic portraits and landscapes and for his passionate, often stormy affair with Alma Mahler. ALS signed “OK,” one page on a 4.75 x 4 inch postcard depicting his painting of Pablo Casals, postmarked September 23, 1957. Letter to a friend in London. In part: “We both wish you all the happiness, joy and peace in the family, community and world as sincerely as we heard it wished to your brethren last night on the radio.” Light scattered creases and soiling, otherwise fine condition.
Original photograph of the important Catalan cellist and composer and his wife Marta Casals, ca. 1960's. Casals is shown seated, smoking his pipe and holding the hand of his much younger wife. Color snapshot in very fine condition. 3 x 4.5 inches (7.9 x 11.7 cm). Read More...
London Philharmonic Orchestra program signed by the great cellist to the wife of conductor Pierre Monteux: "à chère / madame Monteux / Pablo Casals" in blue marker beneath a photograph of Casals with his friend and collaborator, the Catalan poet Joan Alavedra (1896–1981). Program is for the Sunday 29th September 1963 Great Britain premiere of Casals's El Pessebre, an Oratorio setting of poems by Alavedra. 16 pp. Rusting to staples, else very fine. 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 21.6 cm.). Read More...