Composer Autograph Manuscripts

French composer (1836-1891) of opera, ballet, and other works for the stage. Autograph note in French (sold untranslated) signed by him -no date mentioned. Size is 4 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (1913-2008) and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1957. Beautiful 4-bar autograph music quote from his work "As of a Dream" signed by him. Size is 8 x 3.7 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a small 6-page booklet with his biography and a list of his works. Size is 4 x 9 inches each page, in excellent condition.

Swiss composer (1875-1947), organist, and teacher in the Canton of Vaud, whose music was used during the 1928 Summer Olympics. Gorgeous 5-bar autograph music quote from a cello concerto signed by him, dated October 12, 1904.  Size is 5.4 x 8.2 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1846-1922) who composed hundreds of songs, including the famous "Funiculí, funiculá". Autograph note signed, dated in 1919 in London, written in Italian on a card, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition.

French organist and composer (1861-1947). Signed personal card, inscribed with a short sentiment. Size is 3.5 x 2 inches, in excellent condition.

German-born French composer of songs (1840-1898). Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by him and dated on January 3, 1885. Size is 4.4  7 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.

American composer (1915-2005), creator of 11 symphonies, orchestral & chamber music, as well as works for piano and voice. Gorgeous 8-bar autograph music quote from the first movement of his Symphony #3 (1945) signed by him with a short sentiment dated 1989. Size is 7.7 x 4.8 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (1873-1969) and organist; creator of numerous sacred works.  Autograph music quote with 6 bars from his "Storm King Mountain" Symphony, signed and dated by him in 1931.  Size is 5.8 x 3.2 inches, overall age-toning, otherwise in very good condition.

Dutch composer and arranger (1868-1954) who, in 1913, was one of the founders and first director of "The Music-Copyright Office" (BUMA). Typed letter in German, signed by him and dated in Amsterdam on 21st September 1936 to Maestro Arturo Toscanini, concerning the foundations of his music theory, Size is 8.5 x 13.8 inches, 2 typed pages in one sheet (front and back), creases, folds, with letterhead, some autograph corrections in ink, in overall very good condition. Translation: “…You don't know me, I got to know you as an artist, and I mean that I learned through that. If you don't have time or too little time for it, just don't read this letter. In the opposite case, read until the matter no longer interests you enough. I believe that presenting things in the simplest form has always been the best way to make one's thoughts clear to others. Especially the modern man is ashamed - why he hardly knows himself - to use this method. And so it is with many a modern composer. For me, the comprehensible musical culture does not go much further than Wagner. In this century, a new element has infiltrated musical culture, which actually cannot be a positive element in the musical sense. Until so far in musical art after good musical education it was possible to get to know a work and to understand it musically (and to love it!). Whether one calls certain modern music atonal, bitonal or pluritonal does not matter. The question is: is it possible to feel this music musically at all? If a composer with talent would dare today to compose and then perform a work that is musically comprehensible like the works of the 19th century, and suppose that this work is even a work of art, this composer would probably be laughed at these days. Snobisme has always existed. Snobisme is as necessary as bacterial colonies in the human body. Snobisme and criticism have in and of themselves no artistic form, they are however indispensable in musical society, because the development of the young creative musician will not flourish if the process of development is too smooth. The more this process is hindered, the more he learns to understand that he can only become an artist through long and diligent study. In art there is an analogue for what in nature is called biological effect. I will assume this with an example. In the beginning there must be the belief, thank God, that this time still believes in Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi, Wagner and the good that the other excellent composers have left us. The present listeners, who are not musically educated in the sphere of the 19th century, are nevertheless able to enjoy this beautiful art, although they are not aware that the key point in the development of this artistic enjoyment is faith…”. 2 pp. In-4.

Austrian composer (1861-1919), noted for his role in bringing Western music to Japan during the late 19th century. Rare 5-bar autograph music quote on cardboard from a Doppelfuge for piano signed by him and dated April 25, 1915. Size is 4.5 x 3.3 inches, in excllent condition.

Italian composer (1907-1975), Artistic Director of the Chicago Lyric Opera from 1958 until his death. Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him and dated 1937 giving support and condolences to a friend. Size is 8.3 x 11.2 inches approx., Arena di Verona letterhead, central fold, missing upper-left corner, in very good condition.

Italian composer (1797-1848), best known for his almost 70 operas; along with Rossini and Bellini, he was a leading composer of the bel canto opera style. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, no year indicated, with his embossed letterhead. Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1797-1848), best known for his almost 70 operas; along with Rossini and Bellini, he was a leading composer of the bel canto opera style. Autograph letter in French signed by him, no date, about the rehearsals for "Les Martires" -the French version of his opera "Poliuto". Size is 5 x 7,7 inches, 1 page, some rust tone, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a vintage print with his image as a young man. Size is 6.25 x 10.25 inches, minor rust stains over the borders, otherwise in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1797-1848), best known for his almost 70 operas; along with Rossini and Bellini, he was a leading composer of the bel canto opera style. Autograph note in Italian (untranslated) signed by him. Size is 5.25 x 8.1 inches, 1 page, in very good condition.

Italian composer (1797-1848), best known for his almost 70 operas; along with Rossini and Bellini, he was a leading composer of the bel canto opera style. Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date, about an appointment. Size is 4.8 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Portuguese composer (1874-?). Autograph letter in Portuguese signed by him, dated October 14, 1922, mentioning some of his accomplishments and accolades as a composer and some of his works.  Size  Size is 8.4 x 10.6 inches, 1 page, translation not included, central fold, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a portrait of the composer signed and inscribed by him, dated in Lisbon, 1922. Photo by Lazarus, Lisbon. Size is 5.9 x 8.9 inches, some rust stains, in overall excellent condition.

German composer (1878-1942), musicologist, and music critic. Typed letter in German signed by him, dated 1922, whereas General Secretary of the Festivals Internationaux à Zurich, Draber wrote to the director of La Scala in Milan [Angelo Scandiani] inviting him to the concerts organized by the Comité in May.  Size is 8.2 x 10.8 inches, central fold, storage holes, in excellent condition.

Argentine pianist (1882-1925) and composer, a pupil of Alberto Williams.  Autograph quote with 2 bars of music from Wagner's Siegfried, signed and dated by him in Buenos Aires, 1917.  Size is 5.5 x 3.6 inches, in very good condition.

Austrian violinist (1850-1925) and composer, who founded and led a successful salon orchestra in the tradition of the Strauss orchestra. 7-bar autograph music quote from the composer's aria "Du nur allein" Op.122, signed by him, dated in Vienna, May 4, 1915. Size is 4.4 x 3.3 inches, some dirt, in overall excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an autograph note signed, dated 1916, to a theater director concerning a waltz. 

American composer (1928-1996) and also a teacher.  Autograph note with his letterhead signed by him, dated in 1982, about music matters.  Size is 5.75 x 7.6 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition.

French composer, organist, and music teacher (1837-1924). Large signed autograph music quote from Le Paradis Perdu (The Lost Paradise), a 4-part oratorio he composed in 1878 and won him a Prix de la ville de Paris. A great success in its time, the orchestral part of this oratorio has been lost. Music quote includes 4 bars from the 3rd part of this oratorio, with the voices of Adam and Eve and a solo cello. Size is 10 x 6.5 inches, inscribed, in excellent condition. A large, rare piece. Watch and listen a part of Le Paradis Perdu (Dubois):

French composer (1776-1858), singer, a pupil of Luigi Cherubini and Daniel Auber.Set of two rare autograph notes in French (untranslated) signed by her, as follows:  A. Dated [1831], to the composer Stephen Glover (1812-1870), who was a popular composer of songs, ballads, and duets in that time. Size is 4.7 x 7.2 inches, folds, in very good condition. B. N.D., to Monsieur Gévin, thanking him. Size is 5 x 7.7 inches, folds, creases, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a typed biography of the composer. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1884-1940) and pianist. 8-bar autograph music quote from his work "Prière sur l'Acropole" signed by him, dated in Paris, November 12, 1923, on the verso of a printed document titled "Bulletin de Déclaration" of the SACEM (Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Editeurs de Musique). Size is 11 x 8.5 inches, restoration along the central margin, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a typed letter signed for a SACEM deputy, dated November 26, 1923, 1 page, envelope included as well.

French composer (1865-1935), critic, and teacher, well known for his popular work "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him. Size is 5 x 6.7 inches, 2 written pages, central fold, in excellent condition.

French composer, critic, and teacher (1865-1935), well known for his popular work "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated February 19, 1908, mounted on a slightly larger piece of cardboard. Total size is 4.5 x 7.1 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1865-1935), critic, and teacher, well known for his popular work "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated Feb. 25, 1925. Size is 4.3 x 5.9 inches each page, 2 written pages in one folded sheet, central fold, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is its original envelope. Size is 4.7 x 3.7 inches, some stains, in overall very good condition, loss of paper over the top.

Belgian cellist and composer (1877-1952), also was director of the Conservatory in Dijon. Dumas was a gifted cellist and created pieces for the instrument, as well as for the piano. Autograph letter signed, undated, to a friend, in French, sold untranslated. One page, 8.4 x 10.6 inches, folds, minor cracks, in overall very good condition.

Dutch composer (1822-1875), violist, conductor, and music pedagogue. Set of two autograph letters in German signed by him, as follows: A. Dated in Detmold, April 15, 1854, to the music publisher Schloss in Cologne, asking for the possibility of publishing some of his songs, and mentioning the concert of the 4th of April 1854 at the Court opera theatre where he performed pieces from his recently completed opera “Blanca Siffredi”. Size is 9 x 11 inches, 1 page, folds, smudges, creases, folds, overall age-toning, in good condition. Translation into Italian included. B. Dated in Hamburg, March 10, 1857, to the director of a magazine, asking to announce the success of his opera at the Hamburg city theater. Size is 5.1 x 7.8 inches, folds, in very good condition. Translation into Italian included. To obtain sufficient income, he left for Germany in the summer of 1853. After being Kapellmeister in Halle, Linz, and Detmold he took up a similar position at the Municipal Theater in Hamburg. After three years he left for Nuremberg to be associated with the city theater from 1858 to 1874 where he succeeded in getting Richard Wagner's opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg performed.  

German composer (1901-1983), a prolific author of operas, ballets, and orchestral works. Lengthy music quote from his "Chauson et Romance" -a clip from a score signed by him. Size is 9.75 x 5.2 inches, tape residues over the left border, otherwise in excellent condition.

German composer (1901-1983). 3-bar autograph music quote from one of his works signed by him and dated in New York, October 19, 1960. Size is 4.7 x 2.9 inches, in very good condition.

German composer (1901-1983), a prolific author of operas, ballets, and orchestral works. Autograph music quote on a card signed by the composer with 4 bars from an unknown piece, dated in 1966 (apparently in Hartford, Connecticut).

German-born composer (1824-1893), musical director and educator who worked mostly in the USA.  Signed card, size is 4.1 x 2.6 inches, in excellent condition.

English composer (1857-1934), whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire, being his best-known compositions his cello concerto and his two symphonies. Autograph letter written in English about musical and personal business signed by the composer, dated in Rome, on November 25th, 1917.  Each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, 3 pages (1 sheet), central fold, in excellent condition.

American composer (1926-1972), organist, and conductor who was primarily active during the 1940s to 1960s. Printed score for his work for organ Peaceful Waters signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment on the cover. Size is 9.25 x 12.25 inches, 4 pages, in excellent condition.

French composer (1808-1877) and musicologist. Lot of four short autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him. Letters are dated between 1839 and 1859 and are addressed to music-related people such as Alfred de Beauchesne (1803-1876), secretary at the Conservatoire and the music critic Alexis Azevedo (1813-1875), concerning music performance programs, and a performance of Halevy’s La Juive in 1844.  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French opera composer (1863-1919) who won the Prix de Rome in 1888 for his cantata "Velléde"; his most famous opera "Le Juif Polonais" premiered at the Opéra-Comique in 1900. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1897, addressed to the composer Vincent d’Indy, concerning the latter’s work “Fervaal” (1897): “…Je vous serai bien obligé de me faire envoyer la partition de “Fervaal” au plus vite – Envoyez moi aussi, sans faute, les notes très detaillés sur votre oeuvre…”  Open size Size is 9 x 6.9 inches, 2 written pages in one folded sheet, folds, creases, in overall very good condition.

French opera composer (1863-1919) who won the Prix de Rome in 1888 for his cantata "Velléde"; his most famous opera "Le Juif Polonais" was produced at the Opéra-Comique in 1900. Autograph manuscript probably with text related to one of his operas. 7 pages, in French, sold untranslated. Each page is 4.3 x 6.9 in size, in excellent condition.

French opera composer (1863-1919), winner of the Prix de Rome (1888) for his cantata "Velléde"; his most famous opera "Le Juif Polonais" was produced at the Opéra-Comique in 1900. Set of three autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, as follows: A. July 5, 1893. To the composer Carlos de Mesquita (1864-1953): “…nous verrions tous deux ce que je présenterai au Conservatoire cette année…”. On a postcard.  B. Paris, October 3, 1907. To the composer and pianist Michel-Maurice Lévy (1883-1965), concerning: “…votre beau projet de glorifier la mémoire de l’illustre musicien Edouard Grieg…”.  C. Paris, March 21, 1910. To an editor in chief, concerning a musical controversy: “…Mon excellent ami et collaborateur Pierre Louÿs [1870-1925, Belgian poet] a déjà fait justice – dans une lettre que vous avez bien voulu publier – du sans-gêne de M. M. [Hans, journalist] Liebstockl et [Max von] Oberleithner. À mon tour, je proteste énergiquement entre le procédé de quelques compositeurs d’outre-Rhin qui s’approprient, sans y être autorisés, tous les sujets d’opéras français qui leur conviennent. Il y a, en matière de proprieté littéraire, un droit de priorité est indiscutable…”.  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.  

Austrian composer (1874-1949) 4-bar autograph music quote from a piece signed and inscribed by him to Irma Weiss, dated 1912, on the verso of a photo postcard with his image. Size is 5.3 x 3.3 inches, some smudge over ink-writing, in overall excellent condition.

Austrian composer (1874-1949). Autograph music quote on a clip from an album page with 4 bars from an unknown piece signed by him with a short sentiment dated June 1932. Size is 4.5 x 6.1 inches, rust stains, in overall very good condition. Two unidentified signatures: one on the front, one on the verso.

Austrian composer (1874-1949). Autograph note in German on a postcard with his portrait by Anna Walt, signed by him to Herrn Viener clarifying that he was born on March 12, 1874 in Vienna. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, evident crease over the lower-right corner, in excellent condition.

Italian composer and conductor (1840-1891), who was also Music Director of Teatro La Scala. Autograph letter signed, dated in Padova, 1872, written in Italian (sold with a translation). Faccio mentions the rehearsals for the La Scala premiere of Aida. One page, sized 5.3 x 8.2 inches, spotted rust, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned promo carte-de-visite (cdv) of Faccio, sized 2.5 x 4.25 inches, in very good condition.

American composer (1872-1952), conductor, educator, and music publisher. A composer part of the Indianist movement, his works reflect his interest in a personal, esoteric form of spirituality.  Typed letter to a fan, an important autograph collector, dated in New York, 1949. Typed on a page with his letterhead (his signature, printed in blue ink), signed in ink by him at the bottom. Size is 8 x 10 inches, 1 page, storage holes, background stain, in very good condition.

French composer (1845-1924), organist, pianist, and teacher; one of the foremost French composers of his generation. Long autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by Fauré to an unidentified lady, no year indicated. Each page's size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 7 written pages in 2 folded sheets, folds, storage holes over the top in all pages, otherwise in very good condition.

French composer (1845-1924), organist, pianist, and teacher; one of the foremost French composers of his generation. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) on a card with the letterhead of the Conservatory signed by him, no date indicated. Size is 5.25 x 3.8 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a nice sepia photo postcard of him with his facsimile (printed) signature. Size is 3.3 x 5.3 inches, pinholes over the two left corners, in very good condition.

Italian composer (1764-1826) and Chapel Master in London, where he lived from 1790 on and performed his most notable works. Letter of exchange in French dated in Bologna, 1794, concerning payment of £ 15 to the merchant Gourdas and Hoofstetter in London, signed by the notary John Hawkins and with his dry seal. Size is 7.1 x 9 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), creases, folds, some stains, in overall good condition.

Group of 7 autograph items from female composers, including: 1) Carrie Jacobs Bond (1862-1946), American songwriter, singer and pianist - signed photo postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 inches, 2) Daisy McGeoch, American songwriter and lyricist, signature on card with a couple of music notes, 6.2 x 3.4 inches, 3) Elfrida Andree (1841-1929), Swedish composer, organist and conductor, handwritten postcard, signed and dated in Goteborg in 1895, 3.5 x 5.5 inches, 4) Ethel Smyth (1858-1944), English composer and member of the women´s suffrage movement, signed postcard, dated in 1919, 4.5 x 3.5 inches, 5) Florence Aylward (1862-1950), English composer of ballads, signed clip from a letter, dated in 1903, 4 x 2.5 inches, 6) Maude Valerie White (1855-1937), French-born English composer of songs, autograph music quote signed on a card, dated in 1911, size is 4.5 x 3.5 inches, and 7) Suzanne Daneau (1901-1971), Belgian composer, signed photo postcard dated in 1932, size is 5.5 x 3.5 inches. All in very good condition - see scans. Sold as a lot only - not sold individually.