1. ADAMS, John- SP 5 x 7" color photo of the busy American composer of "The Death of Klinghoffer" and most recently "Dr. Atomic" which is making the rounds.
.................$150
2. BALFE, Sir Michael- the Irish composer writes out words from his GREATEST HIT- "The Bohemian Girl"..."when other lips and other hearts their tale of love shall tell" Michael Balfe, London August 26, 1866". The Irish born composer started as a violinist & baritone (at Rossini's advice!) studying with Bordogni in Italy. He returned to London and was a successful theatre manager and composer- His "The Bohemian Girl" was an ENORMOUS popular favorite not only in England but worldwide! He wrote countless other operas and operettas " The Maid of Artois" and on and on. Together with reproduction image.
.................$225
3. BERIO, Luciano- AMusQS on a card from the musico scientifico Italian composer who followed Dallapiccola. He married the superb American mezzo Cathy Berberian who was able to sing his most difficult writing. He used all sorts of sources eg Croatian folksongs and objets trouves. He was involved with Boulez & IRCAM in Paris and taught from 1965-1972 at Juilliard in New York. His scores can look like expressionist drawings. A very original, prolific , controversial and viable composer. A newspaper portrait is included.
.................$200
4. BERNSTEIN, Leonard- SPc Heinz photo of the YOUNG composer/conductor SUPERSTAR. SCARCE this period.
.................$475
5. (BRAHMS, Johannes)- An highly decorative oversize cabinet card 7 x 9.5" dating from shortly after Brahms' death, bearing a reproduction of an amazing silhouette depiction of Brahms being received into heaven. This very romantic scene was produced by Dr. Otto Bšhler, a silhouette artist. The entire scene was achieved in silhouette, with each figure meticulously cut from black paper and shown against a white background. Starting at the lower left we see the figure of Brahms, who is being assisted up by Tausig, next to whom Anton Bruckner opens his arms in welcome. To Bruckner's right is Chopin, next to whom is Schubert, seen helping Liszt forward. Behind Liszt is von BŸlow, next to whom is Mendelssohn. These figures all appear along a diagonal line leading upward. Above them is Haydn and another figure, and to the left of them at the highest point is an organ (the organ has been silhouetted in brown) being played by Bach, who looks up at Wagner as he plays. Beethoven and Mozart are at Bach's right hand. Various angels and cherubim play drums, hold aloft a sign reading "Brahms" and fly about decoratively. This was published by the firm of R. Lechner. UNCOMMON.
.................$750
6. BRITTEN, Benjamin- AMusQS Ð "Blow her Away" from "Billy Budd" on a post card size card with the Union jack laid down upper left corner together with an unsigned photo of Britten.
.................$1,275
7. CILEA, Francesco- SP 5 x 7" Ungaria , Roma bust photo of the Calabrese composer of "L'Arlesiana" & "Adriana Lecouvreur" a favorite opera of all the great Divas and a GREAT display piece for them d/s Roma 1938/XVI.
.................$475
8. COATES, Eric- SP 4 x 6" bust portrait on a mount d/s 1935 by the English composer/violist (he studied with Tertis and played in the Hombourg String Quartet). He was known for semi-classical compositions such as the greatly popular "Sleepy Lagoon" and "London Suite" which contained the "Knightsbridge movement" a march that was #1 on the hit parade!
.................$300
9. DRIGO, Riccardo- AMusQS by the Padua born composer who spent from 1879-1920s as a conductor and composer of the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg where he conducted the world premieres of "Raymonda", "The Sleeping Beauty", "The Nutcracker" and many others as well as composing many of his own eg " Le Talisman," "The Magic Flute," "Harliquinade" etc. He was closely associated with all the greats of the period Petipa, Ivanov, Tchaikowsky, Fokine, etc. together with a reproduction caricature image of him conducting.
.................$175
10. DUN, TAN- SP 4 x 6" photo of the Chinese composer whose anxiously awaited opera "The First Emperor" was premiered at the Met this past December to sold out houses. He won a Grammy and Academy award for his first film score "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in 2001. He also created the musical setting for the film "Hero" composed "Water Passion After St. Matthew" in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Bach's Death.
.................$150
11. ELGAR, Sir Edward- ALS 1 page from England's #1 20th century composer "Shrove Thursday My dear Gertrude, Alas! I must return today. I was so glad to receive your letter & to hear that you were better. You ever loving Edward Elgar" The envelope addressed by Elgar is also included as is a reproduction photo of Elgar.
.................$675
12. FETIS, Francois-Joseph- ALS 1 p in French from the Belgian theorist , author of "Biographe Universelle des Musiciens" . In the letter he speaks of paying a voucher and a letter of credit well as having sent two large portfolios in quarto, containing the papers of "Biographe Universelle de Musiciens". Important letter relative to his MONUMENTAL work. Together with reproduction image of Fetis.
.................$350
13. GERMAN, Sir Edward- - the popular English composer writes " With kind wishes Edward German"- he wrote much orchestral work as well as the opera "Merrie England" 1902- he completed Sullivan's "The Emerald Isle" and wrote the music for Gilbert's last libretto "Fallen Faeries"
.................$50
14. GRIEG, Edvard- signature below laid down book quality photo of a painting of the beloved Norwegian composer. Overall 6 x 8.5"
.................$675
15. JOHNS, Clayton- AMusQS large quote from the American composer's song "Where Roses Bloom" Ð Johns 1857-1932 wrote over 100 songs and other music performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was a Bostonian and lived there giving piano recitals, composing and taught at the New England Conservatory of Music.
.................$125
16. KORNGOLD, Wolfgang Erich- pencil signature with reproduction photo of the prodigy composer of "Die Tote Stadt" and later countless great film scores eg "Anthony Adverse" etc.
.................$100
17. KRENEK, Ernest- SP 4 x 5" photo of the Austrian/American composer. He was a pupil of Schrecker, was briefly married to Mahler's daughter Anna, had his greatest success with "Jonny Spielt Auf" in 1927. In 1933 he adopted a 12 tone style which he used for his opera "Karl V". Krenek's music was lumped into the Entartete Musik Degenerate Music even though was an Aryan because of the subject matter of "Jonny". He emigrated to the USA in 1938 living in California till his death in 1991. He was very prolific in all forms of composition, more popular in Europe than the US during his lifetime.
.................$100
KURTAG, Gyorgy- see INSTRUMENTALIST section.
18. LECOUNA, Ernesto- SP 8 x 10" bust portrait of the great Cuban composer pianist- remember " Malaguena" & "Siboney" among others. This photo is d/s 1950. Some right edge surface creasing.
.................$575
19. LEONCAVALLO, Ruggero- SPc bust portrait of the Italian verismo composer sporting his trademark walrus moustache. His "I Pagliacci" followed Mascagni's "Cavaleria Rusticana' by 2 years and the 2 became inseparably linked in performance. The ham and eggs of opera!
.................$575
20. LIGETI, Gyorgy- ALS on a post card from the late Hungarian composer. "Hamburg 5.4.80 Dear Herr Bircher, my cello concerto is published by C.F. Peters verlag Postfach 700906, 6000 Frankfurt 70, the study and solo parts are in the music stores. With friendly greetings your Gyorgy Ligeti"- Ligeti lived so long in German he no longer wrote his name in the Hungarian way, last name first! Ligeti is recognized as one of the true GIANTS of mid-late 20th century music. Together with reproduction photo of the composer.
.................$275
21. LVOV, Alexis- ALS 3 pp in French St Petersburg 28/9/47 from the Russian composer/conductor/violinist and director of the court choir. He wrote 3 operas and much church and violin music but his great claim to fame was the composition of the Russian national anthem "God Save the Czar" in 1833. This is a very interesting letter on personal and musical matters to music publisher Schlesinger in Berlin. "I thank you very much, my dear friend, for all that you have done for my good Maman, who has asked you what she owes you without receiving an answer to this subject. It is a delicacy that I acknowledge in you, my dear friend, but you know that good accounts make good friends, so you must write to Maman and she will insist with deep gratitude , that you keep what she owes you. This time, I am sending you my overture arranged for 4 hands by Hanselt-it is quite a different arrangement from the one I sent you... If there are 2 good pianists in your town have them play my overture... M.Berlioz is extremely interested in this piece. If this composition please you , and if you think that there can be some profit for the composer, who up to now has done nothing but work and spend money, I authorize you to print this bad edition ,filled with mistakes, that I should correct myself....My mother had fallen sick as soon as she arrived here......my brother Theodore(the painter) has been very ill....my health changes constantly....my wife and children are well, thank God! A. Lvov 28/16 September 1847 St. Petersburg" . Lvov and his family were a worldly group on intimate terms with many interesting people of the period. Together with a reproduction image of the composer. VERY UNCOMMON.
.................$575
22. MADERNA, Bruno- SP 4 x 6" portrait of the Italian/German composer/conductor. a most prolific composer he wrote a vast amount of stage works, orchestral works, vocal and chamber music. As a conductor he started as a child prodigy at 7 years of age under the name Brunetto then studied with Scherchen. He was enamored of the avant garde and worked very closely with Berio forming Studio of Fonologia in Milano and conducting RAI's Incontri Musicali. In addition he was a noted teacher in Germany, Holland, Salzburg and Tangelwood . One of the towering figures of mid 20th century "modern music"-he died 1973 at age 53. D/s Buenos Aires 1964. A plastic coating has been put over the photo but it is absolutely clear VERY SCARCE.
.................$475
23. MAHLER, Gustav- envelope addressed by the composer to his wife "Frau Alma M. Maria Mahler Toblack Tirol Villa Trenker." Very interesting souvenir as we have a BIG example of Mahler's signature written as part of Alma's name. Reproduction photos of Gustav and Alma. VERY DESIREABLE .
.................$3,500
24. MASCAGNI, Pietro- SPc of the pioneer verismo composer- his "Cavaleria Rusticana" premiered in 1890 was the first and ultimately the greatest work of this exciting new genre. Realism! concise dramatic action wedded to Italian melody which was easily accessible- it had great appeal and has stayed near the top of the operatic heap ever after! This photo of a painting of the composer was signed in Buenos Aires 1922. He was idolized in Argentina which he visited several times.
.................$400
25. MENOTTI, Gian Carlo- AMusQS Ð treble clef and note on a program page for "The Consul" May 26,30 & June 3 at the Spoletto Festival U.S.A. 1977. "The Consul" has remained a work of enduring popularity and the Charleston offshoot of the Italian festival has endured too as has Menotti who is pushing 100.
.................$250
26. MORRICONE, Ennio- SP 8 x 11" color portrait of the Italian film composer of over 500 films scores from countless spaghetti westerns to such classics as "For a Few Dollars More", "Investigation of a Citizen Beyond Suspicion", "Once Upon a Time in America", "The Untouchables" and on and on. He gives BIG orchestral concerts of his music in Europe but Feb 25th, 2007 marks his American debut with a 200 man orchestra at Radio City Music Hall and several retrospectives of his films and a special Oscar.
.................$575
27. NEUWIRTH, Olga- SP 5 x 7" color photo of the contemporary Austrian composer influenced by Holszky, Murail & Nono. She is active in many genres opera Ðher "Lost Highway" premiered 2003 in Graz, film music, orchestral and piano music etc. Her works are played by many European orchestras and her many commissions include "Clinamen/Nodus" for Boulez and the LSO.
.................$65
28. OFFENBACH, Jacques- the beloved French operette composer dedicates and signs the top of the cut cover page for his "Reveries" 6 melodies for cello and piano written together with is friend Flotow. There is a laid down photo too.
.................$675
29. PART, Avro- SP 5 x 7" recent photo of the super popular contemporary Estonian composer.
.................$175
30. PIZZETTI, Ildrebrando- SP 5 x 7" photo of the prolific composer seated lighting his pipe d/s in Italian "to Maestro Guerra and the chorus of the Teatro Municipal Rio de Janeiro with my thanks for 'Murder in the Cathedral' cordially Rome 11 Nov 1960 Ildebrando Pizzetti" Ð "Murder" based on the T.S.Eliot play was making the rounds having premiered 1957. Pizzetti's first operas were "Fedra" 1915 and "Debora e Jaele" 1922 and he was immediately at the forefront of 20th century Italian composers-. a very prolific composer he wrote much orchestral and incidental music as well as over a dozen well received dramatic operas. He was evidently a very difficult, intriguing, petty and jealous man as correspondence of various contemporary singers and composers illustrates!! The dedication here however is, of course, most gracious as the chorus did their job well. Some smudging.
.................$300
31. PROUT, Ebenezer- ALS 3 pp from the noted English organist, pianist, teacher (Royal Academy of Music 1879-1909), choral conductor, composer, music critic, theorist and author. He kept busy! This letter is addressed to "My dear (George) Risley 22 April 1887... By this post I return you the duplicate string parts of my minuet, and have much pleasure in enclosing you also a copy of the printed score of the same... Will you see if you can discover from the programmes off your Popular Concerts the exact date of the first performance of my minuet?... I daresay you will remember that when you were going to to do my Organ Concerto for the first time I made an arrangement of thee 4 horn parts for 2 horns-Have you it still by you? If so will you please post it to C.H. Lloyd, The Close Gloucester. He is going to give the work shortly with only 2 horns in his orchestra... I have just returned from a very jolly visit to Paris where I went to see Gounod's new opera ....Believe me dear Risley yours very sincerely, Ebenezer Prout". UNCOMMON.
.................$225
32. PUCCINI, Giacomo- ALS 1 p on a post card matted and framed with an unsigned photo. "Dear...(?)É Have you heard from the (Marf...)? Your illustrious friend still hasn't appeared on the marshy horizon. Let me know o fierce one! Breather of poisons, or flesh tortured by anopheles mosquitoes Ð I hope/Oh God/to come soon to inculcate you with new hunting methodsÑare you game? Good by, yours, affectionately, Puccini" Puccini LOVED to hunt at Torre del Lago and he is writing a friend about the pastime.
.................$1,200
33. RACHMANINOFF, Sergei- SP with his wife Natalie on the cover of a Testimonial Dinner given the Rachmaninoff's by Ruth & Theodore C. Steinway Wednesday July 30,1941 at the Hotel Plaza, New York. The menu and program given by Frey and Braggiotti are inside.
.................$1,500
34. RANDEGGER. Alberto- AMusQS "Io sono inamorato d'una stella." 30 Ottobre 1902 from the Triestino composer/conductor/singing teacher a pupil of Luigi Ricci. He conducted the Carl Rosa, at the Drury Lane and Covent Garden from 1855 till his death in 1911 as well as the Norwich Festivals from 1881-1905. He composed several operas, cantatas and much vocal music.
.................$175
35. RESPHIGI, Ottorino- SP 4 x 6" bust portrait of the ever popular Italian composer eg " The Pines of Rome"- "The Fountains of Rome" etc.
.................$675
36. SCHULTZE, Norbert- "LILI MARLENE"- German composer Schultze wrote a number of operas & operettas as well as music for stage, films and later television but is best remembered as the composer of the sentimental ballad "Lili Marlene" 1938 a great favorite with both the Germans and allies during WWII and immortalized by Marlene Dietrich. AMusQS- 3 full lines from the song SP of Schultze 4 x 6" bust portrait SP with biography of Hans LEIP- lyricist for "Lili Marlene" Lale ANDERSEN- SPc promo card for Columbia of the singer who first sang the song in 1939. Unusual group all four.
.................$750
37. SIBELIUS, Jean- Large signature together with an unsigned reproduction photo and envelope of transmittal.
.................$350
38. SPONTINI, Gaspare- ANS from the important Italian opera composer best known for "La Vestale" a favorite of Divas such as Mazzoleni, Ponselle, Callas etc. He married into the Erard piano family and became director of the Theatre Italien in Paris but his career there and in Berlin was plagued by jealousies, intrigues and all sorts if conflicts, but he pursued. His music blended French and Italian elements and he had a great influence on Berlioz. He writes.."Happy voyage , Monsieur , for Atenbourg Franzens bad, 29 July 1842 Spontini" with unsigned image
.................$375
39. STILL William Grant- TLS 1 page dated November 18, 1961, to Mr. Ulric de Vaere- "Dear Mr. deVaere: Many thanks for your letter of November 13th, and the new poem which you have dedicated to me! It was indeed a pleasure for us to attend your concert, and we do deeply appreciate the fact that you and Mr. Mathes were kind enough to provide transportation for us. After our difficulties with our own car during the preceding days we were doubly grateful for this courtesy. I also want you to know that I have been intending all along to set one of your poems to music... as soon as I have a breathing spell I will attempt it. I'll let you know as the results, and both of us hope to see you again in the near future! As always, with all good wishes I am, Sincerely, William Grant Still." Nice letter from the important African American composer together with reproduction photo.
.................$200
40. STRAUSS, Richard- Signature on a card together with unsigned photo.
.................$300
41. SUTERMEISTER, Heinrch- AMusQS on his printed correspondence card from the Swiss composer's best known opera " Romeo und Julia" 1940 Dresden under Bohm. 11 operas followed till 1950 but none achieved the same success. He also wrote ballets, orchestral music and many vocal works.
.................$175
42. VIARDOT, Pauline- AmusQS "Mazurka" Ð "El amor de mi mozuela talara...to-ma!' Pauline Viardot Londres 15 Juillet 1853" Ð Viardot was one the very greatest singers and all round musicians of the 19th century. Garcia's daughter and Malibran's sister she was a prolific song composer of great talent the present example being a transcription of a Chopin mazurka. Her songs are widely sung by mezzos including Berganza, Bartoli and most recently soprano Bayardakian. Viardot created Meyerbeer's "Le Prophete" (Fides), Orphee in the Berlioz version of Gluck's "Orphee ed Eruidice", Gounod's "Sapho", Braham's "Alto Rhapsody, Massenet's "Marie Magdalene" and Saint-Saens's "Samson & Dalila " is dedicated to her and she was the first to sing the music in private accompanied by the composer. Her range was enormous encompassing Donna Anna and Azucena, Lucia and Lady Macbeth!! She lived with the great Russian writer Turgenev who wrote librtetti for operettas that she composed. She sang a great deal in St. Petersburg , Paris and London introducing many operas to to those cities As a teacher she is responsible for Desiree Artot, Orgeni, Arkel, Brandt, Salvatini, Annie Louise Cary etc etc. She was an autograph collector and an amusing lady by all accounts. She lived till 89! SCARCE
.................$875
43. WINNER, Septimus- Autograph Letter Unsigned, 2 pages, 8vo, June 30, 1883, to Eugene Moyer. An important letter detailing the Philadelphia composer's success in composing songs that fed the patriotism of northerners during the Civil War, especially "Give Us Back Our Old Commander: Little Mac, The People's Pride," the popularity of which provoked the ire of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who forbade Union soldiers to sing it under penalty of court martial: "É the song... was hastily improvised when Genl. Geo. B. McClellan was relieved of his command ...created more of a sensation than any other war song ever issued, the excitement caused by its rendition in public at Washington caused the authorities to forbid its utterance and Miss Julia Mortimer was ushered from the stage when attempting to sing it..." Additionally Winner discusses having composed several other hits including: "Yes, I Would the War Was Over," "Ellsworth's Funeral March," "Carry Me Back to Tennessee, Oh Darling Nellie Rhee," and "He's Gone to the Arms of Abraham," as well as a parody of Maryland, My Maryland with Union sentiments replacing the original words. A remarkable document of the place music played in rousing patriotism during America's disastrous Civil War. The otherwise unknown Eugene Moyer to whom the letter was addressed had been asked by the writer G. Norton Galloway to obtain the information from Winner. (Galloway wrote for the Magazine of American History among others and is remembered for various histories of Pennsylvania's participation in the Civil War, as well as a catalogue of a collection of American historical autographs that was sold in 1896.) Galloway, an autograph collector himself, recognized the importance of the letter and immediately wrote an explanation on the back page of the letter, of why it was not signed by Winner: "... when... Mr. Moyer called in upon Mr. Winner, the latter handed the letter unsigned to Mr. Moyer, by whom it was delivered to Mr. Galloway...the letter is in Mr. Winner's hand-writing. G. Norton Galloway July 1883" Galloway's authentification is correct and although unsigned, the letter is unquestionably in Winner's hand. At the bottom of the letter's second page Galloway himself added the words: "Yours truly 'Sep. Winner The foregoing letter was written by Mr. Sept. Winner author of 'Listen to the Mocking Bird.'" RARE, UNUSUAL and MOST INTERESTING.
.................$750



Abbreviations
SP - Signed Photo
AL - Album Leaf
AS - Autograph Sentiment
PCC - Printed Calling Cards
ALS - Autographed Letter Signed
D/S - Dedicated & Signed
ANS - Autographed, Note, Signed
SPc - Signed Postcard
AMusQS - Autographed Musical Quote Signed
TLS - Letter signed by person described
LS - Letter signed by person described,
written by another


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