"Sol Fa Si La Si Ré Polka" - Autograph Musical Manuscript from his First Performance with a Professional Orchestra

An historic autograph musical manuscript of a very early short piece for orchestra in the hand of the great conductor known for conducting the premiere of the Rite of Spring and for his tenures with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Orchestre Symphonique de Paris, and the San Francisco Symphony. A light-hearted polka named after the notes of its primary theme, which when spoken together quickly form the phrase "Sol facile à cirer" -- "Floor easy to polish" -- the work was composed for piano in 1892, when Monteux was only sixteen and studying at the Paris Conservatory. When invited to conduct a piece at a charity event, he then orchestrated the polka. At this event, according to biographer John Canarina, "Standing for the first time in front of a professional orchestra, directing his own composition, he then and there determined to become a conductor, an ambition, that, according to Monteux, he had harbored since the age of twelve." Although Monteux continued to compose and play the viola as a teenager, it was at this point that his attention turned to conducting, his great calling and passion -- making this work an important marker of this turning point.

Scored for flute, oboe, two clarinets, English horn, bassoon, two cornets, three trombones, percussion, and strings, the polka is 92 measures long, over 10 pp. of manuscript in 10-bar systems. Dedicated on the cover to "mon ami Henri Hamburg." In pen and pencil, with page numbers and the title, inscription, and signature on the cover page in blue colored pencil, on 18-stave manuscript paper embossed at the upper left with the seal of Lard-Esnault, Paris. Overall toning, some light former water damage to the lower edge, and light wear and soiling to the cover and edges; overall in very good condition. 14 x 10.5 inches (35.3 x 27 cm). From the estate of Monteux's daughter, Nancie Monteux Barendse. (13791)

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Manuscript Music

Classical Music

$1,800.00

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