Composer Autograph Manuscripts ($250 - $500)

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.

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, 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 and teacher (1851-1931), author of over 100 opuses including operas and orchestral music. Signed postcard, dated in 1903 and inscribed, with a music quote from the first act of his opera L´Etranger, op. 53 (1898-1901), in excellent condition, size is 5.5 x 3.5 inches, rare!

French composer and teacher (1851-1931), one of the leading composers of his time in France, his works are worldwide performed today. Printed score for "Theme Varié, Fugue et Chanson", op. 85 (1925), signed and inscribed to American musicologist and music critic Irving Schwerke (1893-1975), with a short sentiment in French, dated by him in 1929. A total of 20 pages, no covers, published by Rouart, Lerolle & Cie., Paris, signature is on page 1, over the top left corner, size is 10.5 x 13.5 inches, 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.

French composer (1845-1924), organist, pianist, and teacher; one of the foremost French composers of his generation. Autograph note in French (sold untranslated) signed by him written on paper with the letterhead of the Conservatoire National de Musique of which he was the director; mounted on a mat with a half-tone photograph of him.  Total size is 7.75 x 10.9 inches, autograph note is 4.7 x 3.7 inches, in very 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.

American classical composer (1853-1937) and member of "Boston Six".  Signed score for his Suite for Pianoforte Op. 15, published by Arthur P. Schmidt, Boston, 1887.  Foote signed and inscribed this printed score to famous pianist Leopold Godowsky, who was 28 years old in 1898, on the front cover, dating his autograph in 1898. A total of 20 pages including soft cover, 10.25 x 13 inches, damage on lower right corner, otherwise in very good condition.

Collection of business cards, each signed by famous French composer. Various sizes, see descriptions below. Composers include Gabriel Pierné, Gabriel Fauré, Paul Dukas, André Messager, Gustave Charpentier, Ambroise Thomas, Ernest Reyer, Albert Roussel, Alfred Bruneau, Charles Marie Widor. SOLD INDIVIDUALLY.

American composer (1908-1982), best known for his ballets and electronic sounds and his collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock in the movie "The Birds" (1963) with the electronic soundtrack. Signed contract with an Associated Music Publisher company in 1943, three pages and with composer's signature on page 3. Size is 8.5 x 12 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED are two typed letters from Associated Music Publisher dated 1943 and 1946 with acceptance signature by Gassmann at the bottom (only one shown in the scans). Each one is on one page, size is 8.5 x 11 inches. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Collection of autograph documents and photos by German composers and musicians, with a total of 13 items from 11 different composers - including: composer Alexander von Fielitz (1860-1930), one autograph letter signed, 1913 - composer and educator August von Othegraven (1864-1946), one autograph letter signed - composer and band master, Franz von Blon (1861-1945), founder of the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, one autograph letter signed, 1913 - composer, Kapellmeister, conductor and pedagogue Gustav Gutheil (1868-1914), one autograph letter signed, 1912 - composer, conductor and teacher Hermann Graedener (1844-1929), one autograph letter signed, attached to the back of a concert invitation, 1918 - composer and statesman Karl Hermann Bitter (1813-1885), one autograph letter signed, 1883 - composer and educator Ludwig Gothov-Gruneke (1847-1921), 2 photo postcards, same front, each one signed on verso - composer and violinist Max Geiger (1885-1967), actually born in Poland, one photo postcard signed on verso, with a short autograph music quote from a Tango he created, 1930 - composer, conductor and jurist Max von Oberleithner (1868-1935), two short autograph letters signed, 1909 and 1926 - song composer and singer himself Robert Gounod (1865-1927), one autograph letter signed, 1905 - composer and conductor Wilhelm Franz Reuss (1886-1945), autograph signed card, with nazi salutation, 1943.

Belgian composer (1828-1908) and musicologist, whose output was mostly vocal music. Lot of five autograph documents, four signed autograph letters plus one signed autograph dedication, dated between 1862 and 1899 by the Belgian composer. Letters are addressed to the composer and cellist Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880), requesting theater seats, arranging meetings, and recommending a girl.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian verismo opera composer (1867-1948), famous for composing Andrea Chenier and Fedora, his two most famous operas. Autograph letter signed, addressed to his son Mario, dated in 1940. 2 pages (on both sides of a 6.25 x 8.25 inch document) written in Italian and sold with a typed English translation, size is 8.5 x 11 inches, both have several folds, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Italian verismo opera composer (1867-1948), famous for composing Andrea Chenier and Fedora, his two most famous operas. Autograph note in Italian (sold untranslated) signed by him about an appointment with a friend. Size is 5.6 x 8.6 inches, letterhead of Edoardo Sanzogno, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a photo postcard with his image. Size is 3.4 x 5.25 inches, silvering, in very good condition.

Russian composer (1865-1936), conductor, and music teacher who had a big impact on Russian music and composers of his time, both as a pedagogue and composer. Autograph letter in Russian (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated 1907, recommending a fellow musician. Size is 8 x 10.25 inches, red crayon markings over a part of the text, folds, some dirt, in overall very good condition.

French romantic composer (1849-1895), who was also a violinist. He composed 8 operas, 5 symphonies, and many works for violin and piano. Two autograph letters signed, dated in 1885 and 1888, to a singer called Clodio. Four and three pages respectively, each one is 5.25 x 8 inches, in good condition.

French violinist (1849-1895) and composer, best known for his opera "Jocelyn", 5 symphonies, and other works. Two important biographical autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, both from 1880, addressed to his future wife Madame Godard. We report an extract as a sample. 25/7 1880: “…j’ai été charmé de la bonne journée que j’ai passée avec vous et votre aimable famille; je vous remercie de votre cordiale réception. Je vous envoie par le même courrier trois morceaux pour le piano (…) Pourrai-je me permettre sur le titre du morceau de mettre à mon élève M.me Feydeau ?…”.  Each one has 3 written pages in one folded sheet, open size is 10.5 x 8.2 inches each letter, folds, creases, dirt stains, in overall very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1818-1893), who achieved an international reputation for his operas "Faust" and "Romeo et Juliette".  Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, to a friend. Size is 4. 4 x 7 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.

French composer (1818-1893), who achieved an international reputation for his operas Faust and Romeo et Juliette. Autograph note in French (sold untranslated) signed by the composer and dated at the top by another hand in 1866.  Size is 4.1 x 5.25 inches, 1 page, folds, otherwise in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a modern postcard with a color portrait of the composer. Size is 4.1 x 5.75 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1818-1893), who reached international reputation for his operas Faust and Romeo et Juliette. Autograph note in French (sold untranslated) signed by him. Size is 4.4 x 7.1 inches, 1 pages, folds, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a modern print photo postcard with his image, shown young. Size is 4.1 x 5.9 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1818-1893) whose best-known works are the operas "Roméo et Juliette" and "Faust", including a large amount of church music, songs, and other short pieces. Autograph notes written in French (sold untranslated) signed by the composer and addressed to his friend Elise. Different sizes and conditions, for more details please check the individual description. Scroll down to see all the photographs and click on each to enlarge or see more photos if available. SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. 

American composer (1908-1989). A fine collection of eight letters signed: seven typed letters, 1 handwritten by him, about personal and professional matters between 1961 and 1983.  Different sizes, lengths, and content, in very good condition or better. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Russian composer (1864-1956) and pianist. Autograph letter in English signed by him, dated June 11, 1930, addressed to the Record label Victrola requesting the payment of royalties, mentioning two compositions recorded with singer Nina Koshetz on April 15, 1929.  Size is 8.1 x 10.4 inches, folds, some creases, in very good condition.

Belgian-born French composer (1741-1813), who is mostly known for his operas by the end of the XVIII century. Autograph note, expressing that he is sending 2 complimentary tickets to someone, matted with a nice, vintage print of him. Note is 4.75 x 6 inches (visible size), print is 5.5 x 6 inches, matted together to a total size of 15.25 x 10 inches, in very good condition. Rare! ALSO INCLUDED is a vintage lithograph by Cremet, Liege, 11.25 x 13.25 inches, light toning, very good condition.

French composer (1799-1862), largely known today for his opera La Juive (1835). Short autograph letter signed, in French, no year, sold untranslated. One page, sized 5 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1799-1862), largely known today for his opera La Juive (1835). Autograph letter signed by him, written in French (sold with translation) about available seats for a concert, plus a short music quote.  Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, 2 pages written on a sheet, folds, in very good condition.

Famous French composer (1799-1862), well remembered today for his masterpiece, the opera La Juive. Autograph note signed, in French, undated. One page, size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Famous French composer (1799-1862), well remembered today for his masterpiece, the opera La Juive. Autograph note signed, undated, written in French (sold untranslated). Also included is a vintage portrait print of him on a postcard. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, 1 page, portrait is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, with some rust in the corners, otherwise both in very good condition.

German composer (1905-1963). Typed letter in German (sold untranslated) with his letterhead signed by him, dated in Munich, 1961. Size is 8.25 x 11.6 inches, folds, minor stains and cracks at the bottom, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned half-tone photograph shown at the piano (probably a clip from a magazine or program). Size is 4.5 x 5.1 inches, in very good condition.

Hungarian pianist and composer (1813-1888), who was also a teacher. Heller was a close acquaintance of many famous romantic composers of his time, such as Berlioz, Chopin and Liszt. Heller created many pieces for the piano. Autograph note signed by him, in one folded sheet, handwritten on both sides, showing blind letterhead with his initial on the first page. See scans. Heller writes to a friend (prob. composer Felix LeCouppey) mentioning he is about to leave for a visit to England, that he has been so busy finishing new compositions that he did not have a single free moment. He asks to give his regards to Mrs. LeCouppey and signs as St. Heller at the end. Size is 8 x 5.25 inches (unfolded size), or 4 x 5.25 inches (folded). Minor rust spots, otherwise very good condition, rare! Also included is a half-tone print with the pianist/composer image, probably from a book or magazine.

Swiss composer (1906-1997), musicologist, and a famous Beethoven scholar. Autograph music quote signed by him on a card with 5 bars from his opus 44.  Size is 5.8 x 4.1 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a small booklet in German for his funeral service which includes a 4-bar music quote by him from his work "Meditation" dated in 1977, attached to the first page of the booklet.  Size is 5.75 x 8.25 inches, 24 pages, softcovers, in excellent condition.

American composer (1911-2000), one of the most prolific 20th-Century composers.  Autograph music quote with 15 bars of his Magnificat's Gloria (trumpet II) signed by him.  Size is 8 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition.

Swiss composer (1865-1950), musician and music educator who developed Dalcroze Eurhythmics, an approach to learning and experiencing music through movement. Autograph letter signed, one page in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.3 x 8.3 inches, storage holes, in very good condition. Rare.

French composer (1823-1892), whose most celebrated piece is the Symphonie Espagnole, a five-movement concerto for violin and orchestra that remains a popular work in the standard repertoire. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, no year indicated. Size is 4.3 x 7.1 inches, 1 page, some rust stains, central fold, otherwise in very good condition.

Italian opera composer (1857-1919) whose opera Pagliacci (1892) is considered one of the most successful in opera history.  Autograph letter written in Italian (sold untranslated) on both sides of a card and signed by the composer.  Size is 4.6 x 3.5 inches, rounded corners, in excellent condition.

Italian opera composer (1857-1919) whose opera Pagliacci (1892) is considered one of the most successful in opera history. His original business card with a short autograph note in Italian signed by him on the verso. Size is 4.2 x 2.2 inches, rust stains, in excellent condition.

American composer (1878-1963), member of the Indianist movement in American music, and American female composer, writer, lyricist and poet, her full name was Juanita Thompson Roos (1885-1958). Wonderful, unique original autograph manuscript for the song "The Lone Loon´s Cry", with music and some notes handwritten in pencil by Lieurance and lyrics in black ink. The year 1923 written at the end indicates when this song was finished and was published the year later.  Four pages, 10.25 x 12.75 inches, overall even age toning and some stains, in very good condition.

American composer (1915-2001), a great songwriter who created some popular tunes, including "Que Será, Será" (1956, for the movie "The Man Who Knew Too Much"), the Christmas song "Silver Bells" (1951, for the movie "The Lemon Drop Kid") and others. First day cover with a Christmas stamp and a "Merry Christmas" tin plate attached, autographed by Livingston who penned a few notes from both "Que será, será" and "Silver Bells", two of his greatest songs. Stamped in 1975, size is 6.4 x 3.6 inches, in very good condition. WATCH DORIS DAY SINGING "QUE SERÁ, SERÁ" (in the movie "The Man Who Knew Too Much", 1956)  

American composer (1915-2001), best known for being part of a song-writing duo with Ray Evans, who created many songs for films. Autograph music quote signed on first-day cover (FDC), with a few notes from his most famous hit song “Que será, será” (whatever will be, will be). Cover is stamped in 1978, for the first day issue of a postal stamp in the memory of Georg M. Cohan. Size is 6.5 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Polish composer, conductor and author (1913-2004).  Autograph musical quote signed with 2 bars of music for a String Quartet composed by him, a 5.5 x 8.5 inch paper in excellent condition. 

Russian composer (1798-1870), best known for the composition of the Imperial Russian National Anthem, and the opera "Undine" (1846). Autograph note in French signed by him, to Thomas Heidenrech: "Liszt, with his concert two evenings, my dear Mr. Heidenrech, will be a hindrance to our trio, which he will be pleased to postpone until another day of the week when you are free..." Open size is 10.5 x 6.7 inches, some ink markings, folds, water stains at the bottom, in overall good condition.

English composer (1813-1887) and also a musicologist, mostly famous for his orchestral music and operatic works including "The Devil's Opera" (1838). Autograph letter signed by him about personal matters; its date 1842 in pencil and the legend over the lower-right corner "the composer of The Devil's Opera" is written by another hand.  Size is 9.6 x 7.4 inches, 1 sheet, in very good condition.

Scottish composer (1847-1935) and also teacher and conductor, known for his chamber music, oratorios, and folk music.  Autograph music quote with 7 bars of music from his opera "Colomba" (1883) signed and dated by him in London, 1930.  Size is 5.7 x 3.25 inches, in very good condition.

Italian composer (1882-1973), musicologist, music teacher, and editor.  Wonderful autograph music quote signed by him, and dated in 1920, with some bars of music from his work "Sette Canzoni".  Size is 4.75 x 6.9 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1882-1973), musicologist, music teacher, and editor.  Set of 2 Autograph letters signed by him, each 2 pages in length, one dated in Rome in 1919, written in Italian, the other was written in Brussels, in French, both sold untranslated. Both are 8.5 x 11 inches and have several creases and folds, along with a small tear on the far right of the French letter, but are in otherwise very good condition. NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Czech composer (1890-1959), whose output included 6 symphonies, 15 operas, 14 ballet scores, and a large body of orchestral, chamber, and vocal works. Autograph note signed by him, written in French (sold untranslated), addressed to music critic Arno Huth.  Size is 4.6 x 6.3 inches, 1 page, in very good condition. Autographs of Bohuslav Martinu are extremely rare!

Italian opera composer (1863-1945), mostly remembered today for Cavalleria Rusticana and L'Amico Fritz, among other creations. Autograph letter in Italian (sold with translation) signed by him responding to an invitation, dated in Livorno, August 28, 1894.  Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, 1 page, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a modern print black-and-white photo of the composer. Size is 4.9 x 7.9 inches, in excellent condition.