Composer Autograph Manuscripts

French virtuoso pianist (1818-1862), composer, and teacher. Lot of four autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, only one is dated 1862. Letters are addressed to friends, to the music publisher Adolphe Catelin (1837-1866) and to the secretary of the Conservatoire Impériale Alfred de Beauchesne (1803-1876). We report two extracts as a sample: “….Notre illustrissime la Signora Térésa Miliano, vient lundi en compagnie de quelques amis passer la soirée chez moi…”; “Quoi de neuf mon cher Beauchesne, l’illustre Maître a-t-il prononcé et mon désir est-il satisfait?…”.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.  

French composer (1807-1880) who wrote mostly chamber music. 8-bar autograph music quote from his "Chanson de Barberine" on a music sheet signed by him. Size is 8.4 x 5.3 inches, central fold, in excellent condition.

German composer (1821-1902) and conductor. Autograph letter signed by him, dated December 16, 1862, concerning music events in the city of Genthin. Size is 5.5 x 8.8 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), folds, embossed letterhead over the top-right, in overall very good condition.

Italian composer and priest (1883-1954), who represented the new direction taken by Italian church music in the twentieth century. Autograph music quote with 3 bars from his opera "Cecilia" (1934) signed and dated by him in Rio (Brazil) - illegible date.  On verso there is a signature by the famous American contralto Marian Anderson.  Size is 8.5 x 5.5 inches, central fold, minor rust on edges, otherwise in very good condition.

Czech-born French composer (1770-1836), a friend of Beethoven, known today for his wind ensemble music and for having taught Berlioz, Liszt and Franck.  Autograph letter signed, dated in Paris in 1826, in French, to French composer Alphonse de Feltre (1806-1850), then 20 years old and also one of Reicha´s students. Reicha tries to arrange an appointment. One page folded in two to a size of 4.25 x 6.75 inches, in excellent condition.

Czech-American composer (1910-1978).  Autograph music quote on an envelope with 3 bars of music from an unknown piece.  Size is 6.4 x 3.6 inches, his mailing address appears on verso, in excellent condition.

German composer (b.1936), and also a pianist, especially known for his literary operas. 1-bar autograph music quote from his stage work "Lear" with a small half-tone photograph of the composer signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment, dated in 1996.  Size is 6.1 x 4.3 inches, in excellent condition.

German composer and pianist (b.1936). Postcard signed by him. Size is 4.1 x 5.8 inches, in excellent condition.

German composer (1824-1910), conductor, and pianist in the mid-Romantic Era. Autograph letter signed by him, written in German (sold untranslated), dated in Leipzig, 1875. Size is 5.7 x 8.5 inches, 1 page, folds, in excellent condition.

German composer (1824-1910), and also conductor, teacher, and pianist. Autograph music quote with 4 bars from his Octet Op. 216 (1892) signed by him.  Size is 6.1 x 9.1 inches, folds, minor tape stains over the left border, otherwise in very good condition.  Rare!

German composer (1824-1910), conductor, and pianist. Autograph note in German signed by him, mentioning a piece by Brahms, mounted on a mat together with a modern print photo of the composer. Note's size is 4.3 x 2.75 inches (visible window size), photo's size is 2.5 x 3.5 inches (visible window size), total size is 6.8 x 9.75 inches, in excellent condition.

Hungarian composer (1887-1972) and pianist. Bound autograph manuscript with the full score of the composer's Third Symphony. Size is 11 x 13.75 inches, 167 pages plus hard covers, in very good condition. We consider this autograph manuscript was most probably by Reschofsky's own hand and not the work of a copyist. 

Italian composer and musicologist (1879-1936), also violinist and musicologist, known mostly for his tone poems. Autograph music quote with 2 bars from an unknown piece, signed and dated by him in Bolognia, October 14, 1922.  Size is 9.25 x 6 inches, some rust spots, in overall very good condition.

German composer (1871-1935), dedicated to teaching and composed a variety of works, including opera, orchestral works, chamber music, piano music, singing and choral works. Rare autograph music quote from one of his works, entitled "Someridylle", signed and dated by him in 1933. Size is 6 x 4 inches, in excellent condition

German composer (1900-1985) and pianist who worked as an academic teacher, university administrator, recitalist, and accompanist. Autograph music quote on a card signed by him with a long text and 2 bars from his work "Der Tod des Empedokles" (1954). Size is 5 x 3 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian composer of Romanian and Czech ancestry (1860-1945), whose works include 5 symphonies, music for orchestra, stage, piano, chamber, and vocals. Autograph note signed and dated in 1939, written in German thanking someone for sending a string quartet score. Note is 5.75 x 2.3 inches, matted with a modern print of a photo of the composer. Total size is 7.5 x 11 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1809-1877), particularly known for his operas and working closely with his brother Luigi.  Autograph bifold letter signed, dated on July 27th, 1866, San Petersburg, Russia, during his stance there as a professor, written in Italian (sold untranslated), with his initials on the first page.  Each page's size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches, 3 pages, folds, in excellent condition.

American musical theater composer (1847-1924). Autograph letter with the letterhead of the Arch Street Opera House signed by him, dated in Philadelphia, October 19, 1883, about musical business. Size is 5.75 x 8.6 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet, repaired crack at the top, otherwise in very good condition.

Welsh composer (1817-1885), also known as Carl Luini. Autograph letter signed about an appointment, signed by him. Size is 4 x 5.9 inches, central fold, in excellent condition.

American composer (1817-1885) of popular music and pianist.  Autograph music quote with 5 bars of music from his work "Warblings" -which is his most known piece, signed and dated by him in 1860.  Music quote is attached to a larger piece of paper for a total size of 6.1 x 4.25 inches (music quote is 4.4 x 3.4 inches), in excellent condition.

French composer (1884-1973), 2 autograph notes signed, both written in French, sold untranslated, first is 2 pages, the other on 1 page. Each note is 5 x 6.75 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately.

German composer (1784-1838), friend, pupil and secretary of Ludwig van Beethoven. Autograph note in English signed by him sent to an unknown recipient requesting a score to be sent to him, no date specified. Size is 7.4 x 4.5 inches, folds, in excellent condition.

French pianist (1772-1852), teacher, and composer, and was summoned by Napoleon to be part of the Egyptian expedition as a composer. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him to François-Xavier Fabre, dated 1822, about music matters. Open size is 7.5 x 9.6 inches, 1 page written, missing border, folds, creases, in good condition (see scans for details).

French pianist (1772-1852), teacher, and composer, and was summoned by Napoleon to be part of the Egyptian expedition as a composer. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him and sent to the music professor Simon Mialle about personal and professional matters. Sizes are 7.7 x 5 inches both, creases, smudge, missing borders, in good condition (see scans provided). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Russian composer (1844-1908) and teacher, Rimsky-Korsakov was a very important member of the famous group of composers called the Five.  Leather-bound vocal score for his opera "The Snow Maiden" (1880) signed and inscribed by him to his pupil Russian composer Mikhail Chernov (1879-1938) with a 3-bar music quote. Size is 9.4 x 12.2 inches, 315 pages, in very good condition.

American composer (1928-2005) of contemporary classical music, creator of 6 symphonies and other orchestral works. Autograph letter signed by him, addressed to his friend LeRoy Richmond about musical business. Size is 7.25 x 10.4 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition.

Spanish composer (1901-1999) and a virtuoso pianist, best known for composing the Concierto de Aranjuez, a cornerstone of the classical guitar repertoire. Program for the celebration of the 90th birthday of the composer in 1992 at the Barbican Centre (London), signed by the composer on the front cover.  Size is 5.8 x 8.25 inches, full program with all pages and covers, in excellent condition.

American composer (1829-1896), pianist, and singer of Welsh descent. Autograph letter signed by him dated 1865, addressed to one of his friends. Size is 4.5 x 7.2 inches, 4 pages in one sheet, folds, mounting traces over the left border, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a 4-bar music quote from one of his songs, signed by him over the upper-right corner.  Size is 10.5 x  7.8 inches, central fold, some stains, minor damage over the upper-right corner. Very rare! SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Cuban composer (1890-1970), pianist, and director.  Signed check, dated in Havana, October 21st, 1927.  Size is 6.25 x 2.6 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1781-1850) and music publisher. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated November 18, [1848], to the writer Albert Montémont (1788-1861): “…comme je crois que c’est vous qui êtes chargé de la distribution des billets de la séance de dimanche prochain et que les artistes exécutants sont à mes troupes pour en avoir, ayez la bonté de m’en faire parvenir une cinquantaine…”.  Open size is 10.9 x 8.6 inches, 1 written pages in one folded sheet, folds, creases, missing corner, rust and dirt stains, in overall very good condition.

English composer, conductor, and teacher (1873-1938). Wonderful autograph music quote on a page with his letterhead with 2 bars from his most famous piece "The Song Down in the Forest" signed and dated by him in 1925. Size is 8 x 5 inches, minor stains over the lower-left corner, folds, in very good condition.

American composer and lyricist (1906-1993), known for her songs "Willow weep for me" and "Who's afraid of the big bad wolf". Written response on a telegram signed by her, dated 9/22/85, where she replies to a request: «...Thank you very much for your interest in my work...I’m scheduled for Oct. at your Society [New York Sheet Music Society] so please allow me to inscribe the covers there when I meet you. And if you have extra copies, please permit me to buy them as I have hardly anything left!...». Size is 7.5 x 7.4 inches, 1 page, in very good condition.

Italian impresario (1805-1875), composer, and baritone who run a theatrical Agency in Florence during his lifetime. Set of 7 autograph letters in Italian (untranslated) signed by Luigi Ronzi, both dated 1872, and addressed to Innocenzo Canedi and a certain Azzolino, plus a set of 5 autograph letters signed by the Ronzi brothers such as Pollione and Stanislao (brothers of Luigi). Different sizes, lenghts, conditions, and formats (see scans provided). SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American song composer (1820-1895), very popular during the American Civil War. Fine autograph music quote on a card with 2 bars from one of his songs signed and dated by him in 1895.  Size is 4.4 x 2.9 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer and conductor (1864-1955), creator of symphonies, string sonatas, quartets, stage, and choral works. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, in French, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 7.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Star Italian composer of operas (1792-1868), of which he created 39, including Il Barbiere di Siviglia and famous Italian tenor (1790-1864). Double signed aria score for piano and voice, a cavatina for the role of Ricciardo from "Ricciardo e Zoraide", opera by Rossini. This opera was world premiered in 1818 with Giovanni David creating the role of Ricciardo. Signed by the composer and the role creator on the first page of the score, an engraving print of 6 pages, with both signatures on the first page. Rossini dated his signature in Paris in 1864, both men inscribed this to Minelli - obviously, Rossini´s friend called Napoleone Minelli, an opera fan.  First page also bears a couple of blind stamps by a previous owner (Giuseppe Galli) and an ink stamp, in light blue color, illegible. Neither of them affect the signatures. Soft cardboard covers probably added later (see last scan), total size is 13.6 x 9.75 inches, minor rust stains, all in excellent condition.

French contrabassist (1873-1950), composer, and conductor. Short autograph note in French signed by him on his visiting card. Size is 3.8 x 2.3 inches, some dirt stains, in very good condition.

French composer (1882-1955), organist, and opera director. Autograph letter in French signed by him, no date mentioned, addressed to one of his pupils about rehearsals and appointments.  Size is 4.4 x 6.9 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), translation not included, folds, in overall excellent condition.

American composer (1858-1947), organist, and professor. A signature cut of the composer clipped from the bottom of a letter mounted on a clip from a page of an autograph album.  Size is 4.25 x 3 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian composer (1905-1995). 3-bar autograph music quote from his "Die 13 Monate" signed by him with a short text in German, dated 1992. Size is 10.6 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Danish composer (b.1949), creator of many orchestral and chamber works. Printed full score for his Symphony 1 (1989) signed by him on the first page, inscribed to fellow American composer Christopher Rouse with a short sentiment dated October 1998.  Size is 11.75 x 16.5 inches, 223 pages, soft covers, in very good condition.

German composer (1840-1916) and music teacher, also a founder of Nature protection movement. Autograph letter in German signed by him, dated in Berlin, 1896, to the Italian composer Giovanni Tebaldini:  Partial translation: “…Today I come to you with a request. Yesterday, in the Senate of the Academy - of which I am a member - a letter addressed to the Prussian Ministry of Culture from Professor Angelo Balladoni in Lodi was presented, who is entitled to work on Italian music, which he intends to write, from the Minister - i.e. he is requesting the Academy to answer a number of questions. Before doing anything else, I would like to ask you, on behalf of my college, if you know the identity of Mr. Balladoni, if he is an important Scholar, if he is supported by the Italian Government, if he is personally reliable. Hopefully, you can give us some information! (…) Have you received the Gloria from Lotti? The Copist of the college has already copied it to you one summer, and to your credit, since you asked me to have it copied to you on account of the Church of San Antonio…”.  Size is 5.5 x 8.6 inches each page, 4 written pages, folds, creases, in overall very good condition.

French composer (1909-9166), trumpeter, and member of Raymond Legrand's School, teacher of Maurice André and Pierre Thibaud. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, May 28, 1959, to a gentleman: “…Déjà le 25ème anniversaire de nos premiers enregistrements avec [Yvonne] Curti…”. Size is 5.4 x 8.3 inches, 2 written pages, some creases, in overall very good condition.

French composer of German origins (1856-1930). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, June 8, 1915, to the poet Guy de Montgaillard, thanking him for the material he sent: “…que j’ai déjà parcouru et que je me propose d’approfondir davantage ces jours prochains au point de vue musical. Si, comme je l’espère, j’y trouve matière à mélodies, voire même suite de mélodies à recueil, je me mettrais en rapport avec vous…”. Size is 5.4 x 7.2 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), folds, creases, some rust and dirt stains, in overall very good condition.