Early Signed Program with Autograph Signature and Later Program

A rare early signed program from the great cellist, performing her signature work, Elgar's Cello Concerto, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra on April 7, 1964. Du Pré (aged only 19) has signed boldly above her photograph on an internal page. 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 21.5 cm). Together with an autograph signature from Du Pre's husband, conductor Daniel Barenboim, signed on a small album leaf, with a later postcard of Barenboim conducting. 4.5 x 2.75 inches (11.4 x 7 cm). Also included is a later unsigned concert program, with Du Pré again performing the Elgar concerto with Zubin Mehta and the New Philharmonic Orchestra on February 8, 1973. Collected inside this program is a particularly well-preserved collection of newspaper clippings following the story of Du Pre's diagnosis with multiple sclerosis in 1973. 7 x 9.5 inches (18.5 x 24 cm). In fine condition overall, this is the earliest signed image of Du Pré we have encountered.

Du Pre first performed Elgar's Cello Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra in March 1962, at age 17, repeating the performance at the Proms in August of the same year. It swiftly became the work most associated with her, suiting as it did her extroverted and deeply expressive playing style, and she performed it frequently throughout her tragically short career. The present signed program, from a concert conducted by John Pritchard at the Royal Festival Hall in 1964, represents a relatively early performance, pre-dating her seminal 1965 recording with John Barbirolli and the London Symphony. Signed photographs of Du Pre are extremely rare. (16353)

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Signed Document/Item

Signed Photograph

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Classical Music

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