Symphony No. 2 "David" Dedicated to Albert Einstein, with Presentation Broadside to Einstein and Original Photograph

Tel-Aviv, Israel [New York]: Israeli Music Publications [Independent Music Publishers]. [1951]. First edition. Large format published facsimile manuscript orchestral score. 85 pages. Folio (14 x 19 inch; 35 x 49 cm), spiral bound, plain boards; covers detached, generally sound internally. Together with an elaborate painted calligraphic presentation broadside (14 x 21 inch; 36 x 54 cm) of the Symphony to Albert Einstein by Sol Nodel (1951), "Symphony No. 2 'David' dedicated to Albert Einstein For his inspiration to the Jewish people and to all humanity by the composer Menahem Avidom and presented by the American Fund for Israel Institutions on the occasion of the American tour of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, January, February, March 1951," additionally inscribed by the composer in black ink upper left, "To the greatest man in our generation / Prof. A. Einstein / humbly / From the Composer / M. Avidom / Princeton 10/1/51." Together with an original 8 x 8 inch original photograph of the presentation to Einstein and a photocopy of a 1986 letter from Louise F. Sayen later presenting the score and broadside to a Mr. Benamy, noting that "Miss Margot Einstein made this gift to you in gratitude for your thoughtful help in arranging for the distribution of her father's library.  It gave her great comfort that you were the designated representative for the Friends of Hebrew University in Jerusalem." In fine condition. 

Israeli composer Menachem Avidom was born in Stanislaviv, Austria-Hungary and was apparently a cousin of Gustav Mahler.  He studied in Paris, and a later four-year stint in Egypt led him to look beyond European modes on musical theory and composition.  In 1939 he wrote musical arrangements for Yemenite-Jewish singer Bracha Zefira and these arrangements sparked his interest in the fusion of Middle Eastern and European music theories, in 1944 writing a series of pieces in the new style that defined the rest of his career as a composer. His compositions helped lay the groundwork for future Mizrahi and Sephardic (Middle Eastern Jewish) musicians in Israel. From 1945, he served as general secretary of the Israeli Philharmonic; in 1955 he was named director of ACUM, the Israeli Performing Rights Society. The presentation of his score to Einstein occurred during the first ever American tour of the Israel Philharmonic, during which the orchestra was conducted by Leonard Bernstein and Serge Koussevitzky and gave 53 concerts in 40 cities. 

Einstein, a talented violinist, who adored Mozart and revered the music of Bach, once declared that had he not been a scientist he would have become a musician, and that the most joy in his life had come to him from his violin. (8261)

---

Signed Document/Item

Science & Technology

Printed Music

Manuscript Music

Classical Music

Broadside

$15,000.00

• Add to Cart