Chaconne for Piano-Forte. Op. 32. - SIGNED AND INSCRIBED TO JULIUS RONTGEN WITH CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S WISHES

Kopenhagen & Leipzig: Wilhelm Hansen. 1917. Score to the important Danish composer's popular work for solo piano, signed and inscribed by the composer on the title page to the German-Dutch composer and pianist Julius Röntgen. Nielsen has inscribed the score in Danish to "my dear friend Julius Röntgen" with Christmas and New Year's wishes, signed and dated December 7, 1917. 17; [1] pp. Original wrappers. Two small performance annotations (circled notes) in pencil on the final page; some wear to the spine; otherwise in fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (23.3 x 30.5 cm).

Nielsen's Chaconne for solo piano was composed at Christmas in 1916 and premiered on April 13, 1917 by Alexander Stoffregen. Nielsen's first piano composition for more than a decade, it takes inspiration from Bach's famous chaconne for solo violin. It has remained among Nielsen's most frequently performed piano works.

The German-Dutch composer and pianist Julius Röntgen studied with Reinecke and Lachner and was a close associate of Grainger, Brahms, Grieg, Joachim and others. He spent many of his summer holidays in Denmark and maintained close friendships there, often hosting Carl Nielsen and other musicians and composers at his country house, Fuglsang, where they played chamber music daily. Nielsen and Röntgen developed a close friendship, each dedicating works to the other: Nielsen's Helios Overture is dedicated to Röntgen, and Röntgen's Piano Trio in C minor to Nielsen.

“One of the most important and free-spirited of the generation of composers who straddle the 19th and 20th centuries, [Nielsen's] music covers a wide range of styles, from Brahmsian Romanticism at the outset to a high-principled, personal brand of neo-classicism in his last years. He composed in virtually all the main genres of the time, but he is best known for his six symphonies, which significantly contributed to the renewal of the genre in the 20th century. In Denmark he has been equally revered for his large output of popular strophic songs, which helped to redefine the national song tradition. His activities as conductor, teacher and writer made him the most prominent and influential Danish musician of his time, and although international recognition was sporadic in his lifetime, it has grown steadily since the 1950s, especially in Britain and the USA.” – Grove Online (12005)

---

Signed Document/Item

Classical Music

• Sold