Composer Autograph Manuscripts ($100 - $250)

German opera composer (1791-1864) who has been described as perhaps the most successful stage composer of the XIX century, best remembered for his operas Le Prophéte, L'Africaine, Dinorah, Les Huguenots, and Robert Le Diable. Autograph letter written in German (untranslated) and signed by Meyerbeer's wife Minna Meyerbeer. size is 5.3 x 7.5 inches, 3 written pages, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned carte-de-visite CDV of the composer plus a lithograph of him by Lemercier (Paris).

Austrian composer (1842-1899) of operettas and conductor. Nice 8-bar autograph music quote signed by him on a card dated in Vienna, 1889. Size is 3.8 x 3 inches, rounded corners, in very good condition.

Spanish composer (1869-1921), musicologist, music critic, and diplomat. Set of three very fine autograph letters in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, as follows:  A. N.D. commenting on different projects and performances of beloved works. 3 pp. In-8. With letterhead. B. Dated September 22, 1896, about some readings he has done of articles, jokes, and others appearing in the newspaper "Lega Lombarda". 2 pp. 1⁄2. In-8. With letterhead. C. Dated in Roma, June 29, 1897, criticizing the quality of music he listened to while being in Rome. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for details). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Lot of 11 letters (4 handwritten and 7 typed) by modern composers including Walter Kaufmann (1907-1984), Francis Thorne (1922-2017), Robert Starer (1924-2001), Leslie Bassett (1923-2016), Karl Holler (1907-1987), Erwin Heilner (1908-1991), Wallace Berry (1928-1991), Felix Labunski (1892-1979), Leroy Robertson (1896-1971), Violeta Dinescu (b.1953) and Sydney Vale (1931-2008).  Various sizes, most are 1 page letters, in very good condition.   SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American composer (1893-1969), author of the opera "The Ballad of Baby Doe". Typed letter in English signed by him, dated January 31, 1944, to fellow composer John Edmonds: «...We forwarded to you last week the salvaged volume of your songs. Madame [Maria] Maximovitch [Russian soprano] thinks you are very unwise to take it away from her (...) However I gave her the "Faucon" (...) I think you have one of the finest gifts of songwriting that I have ever encountered and I think you will not only gain in confidence but will have tremendous success as the songs are gradually discovered...». Size is 8 x 10.3 inches, 1 page, Columbia University letterhead, folds, rust stains, creases, in overall very good condition.

Czech composer (1878-1944), violinist, and teacher. Autograph music quote with 2 bars from his work "Kisnet" signed by him with a short sentiment, dated in Munich, 1912. Size is 7.6 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition

Czech composer (1874-1930), violist, and conductor. Nice autograph music quote signed by him on an album page dated March 29, 1910. Size is 4.75 x 7.1 inches, in excellent condition.

Alsatian composer (1841-1890) who worked mainly in Leipzig, whose most important work was the opera "Der Trumpeter von Säckingen". Autograph letter signed by him, dated in Strasbourg 31/12/1884, to his music publisher agent concerning international publishing royalties. Open size is 10.4 x 8.1 inches, 2 written pages in one folded sheet, tape residues over the top, in overall very good condition. Original envelope is INCLUDED.

Alsatian composer (1841-1890) who worked mainly in Leipzig, whose most important work was the opera "Der Trumpeter von Säckingen". 3-bar autograph music quote from his opera "Der Trumpeter von Säckingen" (1884) signed and inscribed by him to Mr. Josef Häfliger. Size is 7.3 x 3.3 inches, overall rust stains, in overall very good condition.

German composer (1829-?) and organist. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him. Size is 5.3 x 8.2 inches, in excellent condition.

English composer (1883-1950), known for his song cycles.  Autograph music quote on a small pink album page, signed by him with 4 bars of one of his songs, dated in 1939.  Size is 5.6 x 3.4 inches, cut corners, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1865-1922), creator of several successful operas including Cecilia, Chopin and others. Autograph letter signed in Milan, 1905, to Arturo Melli about his opera Chopin, in Italian; 4 pages in folio. Each page has a size of 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a handwritten envelope. Size 5.5 x 4.25 inches

Italian composer (1796-1867), best known for his around 70 stage works including many operas in a light style. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1838, written in Italian  (sold untranslated), 1 page. Size is 5.25 x 8.4 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1795-1859) and voice teacher. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated), no date, signed by him. Size is 7 x 8.8 inches, 1 pages, folds, in excellent condition.

Polish composer (1914-1991) and conductor, who later became a British citizen. Typed letter signed by him addressed to American composer Christopher Rouse, dated June 1987, matted together with a photograph of him. Total size is 8 x 10.4 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1860-1934). Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, May 9, 1895, where he addresses a gentleman: “…J’ai enfin eu des nouvelles de organisateurs des Concours de Nangis – 2 Juin prochain – pourrez vous venir avec nous comme membre du Jury? J’écris en même temps à Clerice…”. Size is 5.5 x 8.4 inches, 1 written page, creases, letterhead "Garde Republicaine", in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDD is a photo postcard of the cornetist and conductor of the “Musique de la Garde Républicaine” Guillaume Balay (1871-1943).

Italian composer (1853-1913) and music editor. Autograph manuscript with the Italian translation of Brahms' German Requiem made for the first Italian performance in 1898. Size is 8.6 x 12.5 inches approx., 4 pages, overall rust stains, some smudges and corrections over the text, in overall very good condition.

American composer (1910-1988), educator, and music scholar. Autograph music quote with three bars from his work "Excursions" signed by him on an envelope on April 5, 1970.   Size is 6.5 x 3.75 inches, in excellent condition.

American lyricist (1897-1979), author, director, producer and radio programming pioneer. A friend of important composers of his time, including Rudolf Friml, Vincent Youmans and Victor Young, Paskman wrote lyrics for many of their compositions. Interesting group of 7 music scores of songs, 9.5 x 12.5 inches, handwritten by him, with a brochure about him and 3 typed pages of lyrics, one with corrections. Sold as a lot only, not sold separately.

American author (1791-1852), poet, and actor, best remembered for providing the lyrics for the song "Home! Sweet home!" (1822).  Fine clip (probably the bottom of a longer autograph letter signed by him) with some autograph handwriting and his signature. Size is 7.8 x 2.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1878-1964), who retired at eighty-five, five years before his death.  Autograph bifold letter signed by him, written in Italian (sold untranslated), dated in Marostica, Italy, 1922.  Size is 5.5 x 7.6 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.

Austrian composer (1876-1939), chorus master, and church musician, his output comprised mostly religious music. Autograph music quote on a card with 3 bars from his work "Weihnacht im Bergdorf" signed by him with light green ink.  Size is 3.9 x 2.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Polish composer (1933-2020) whose best-known works include Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima, Symphony No.3, his St Luke's Passion, Polish Requiem, and others. Autograph music quote on an album page signed and dated by him in 1969 with an additional signature of the great German soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf on verso.  Size is 4.5 x 5 inches, in excellent condition. 

Finnish composer (1893-1977), who was also a music critic, creator of chamber music, concerts, and orchestral works. Typed letter signed, written in German (sold untranslated), dated in 1951. One page with his own letterhead, sized 8.75 x 11.25 inches, some folds, storage holes, and minor cracks, otherwise in very good condition.

Italian composer (1872-1956) of sacred music and the only member of the Giovane Scuola who did not write opera.  Autograph letter written and signed by the composer in Italian (sold untranslated), no year.  Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.

French composer (1843-1917) and professor of Harmony at the Paris Conservatory. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1906. Size is 4.3 x 5.3 inches, 4 written pages in one folded sheet, in excellent condition.

Austrian composer (1866-1937) and pianist, famous in his time for his music for string ensembles. Autograph music quote signed by him and dated in 1927, written on a page from an autograph book or a journal, with 5 bars for viola from his 2nd String Quartet in C-minor. Size is 8.5 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition. Rare.

Italian composer (1815-1855), student of Mercadante. Autograph letter signed, dated in Milan in 1845, in Italian (sold with translation). Petrali comments about Verdi’s “I Due Foscari”, saying it is inferior to others. Three pages, sized 7.9 x 9.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1904-2003) of modern classical music, conductor, and teacher; considered one of the most influential Italian composers of the twentieth century. Autograph music quote, inscribed, with a bar of notes from his guitar piece "Nunc", dated in Rome in 1980. Size is 6 x 9.5 inches, some creases and bends, otherwise in good condition.

French composer (1835-1908), pianist, and music critic. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated October 14, 1901, to a music publisher: “…Vous avez vu que la piece tant wagnerienne que réactionnaire avait été unanimement ces faveur de l’opera comique. Mon Légataire universel op. bouffe 3 actes. Alfano qui … me disait que cela manquait en Italie et pourrait être bien réussir…”  Open size is 10.6 x 8.3 inches, two written pages in one folded sheet, printed letterhead, folds, creases, overall age toning, in very good condition.

German composer (1869-1949), conductor, and polemicist, who was a self-described anti-modernist. Autograph note written in German (sold untranslated) signed by him on a brownish paper mounted with a photo postcard of the composer.  Total size is 8.4 x 13.25 inches, note's size is 4.8 x 3.2 inches (visible window size), photo's size is 3.7 x 5.25 inches, ink is a little bit faded but still clearly visible, in very good condition.

French composer (1848-1917), cousing of Gabriel Pierné. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date. Size is 4.4 x 6.9 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet. Size is 4.4 x 6.9 inches.  

Austrian composer (1940-2001) and jazz musician. 2-page long autograph music quote partly printed and partly handwritten and signed by him, including some handmade color illustrations, dated 1992. Size is 8.5 x 11.7 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1848-1903) of songs and operettas, some of them highly successful in his time. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him in 1886. Size is 4.4 x 6.9 inches, 2 written pages in 1 sheet, in excellent condition.

French composer (1848-1903) of songs and operettas, some of them highly successful in his time.  Autograph letter written in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, 1896.  Size is 4.75 x 6.5 inches, 1 page, small crack over the left border, central fold, otherwise in very good condition.

French composer (1848-1903) of songs and operettas, some of them highly successful in his time. Autograph letter in French signed by him, about availability of seats at the theater. Size is 5.3 x 8.25 inches, 1 written page, in excellent condition Translation is ALSO INCLUDED.

French composer (1848-1903) of songs and operettas, some of them highly successful in his time. Set of two autographs signed by him, as follows: a. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him in 1899. Size is 4.8 x 6.6 inches, in excellent condition. b. Autograph note in French (sold untranslated) signed by him in 1896 with a short greeting. Size is 4.4 x 3.5 inches, rounded edges. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1787-1870), son of the harpsichordist Charles-Henri Plantade (1764-1839), founder of the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire. Rare autograph note written in French (in the third person) signed and dated in Paris, December 21, 1818, where he asks his correspondent, Mr. Durandeau, to take an interest in one of his protégés, whose request he had already strongly supported the previous year. Size is 6.4 x 7.7 inches, 1 page, folds, in very good condition.

French pianist (1839-1934) famed as one of the first-ever recording artists. Set of two autograph letters on cards signed by him dated in 1885 and 1928; the first about the birth of his son Georges and the composition of a quintet on the ocassion; and the second, addressed to the writer Irving Schwerke about an appointment. Sizes are 5.1 x 4 inches and 5.8 x 4 inches respectively, sold untranslated, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Austrian composer (1896-1979). Rare autograph music quote signed by him, dated in Viena Nov. 10, 1923, with 2 bars of the Moderato from Gabriel Pierné’s “Berceuse” Op. 8. 1Size is 4.7 x 3.45 inches, 1 page, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is another autograph music quote signed and dated 9. XI 1923 with two bars from David Popper (1843-1913) signed “Seb. Popovici”.

American composer and songwriter (1891-1964) whose songs became standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway and in Hollywood films. Album page signed by him. Size is 5.8 x 3.6 inches, creases, otherwise in very good condition.

British composer and organist (1906-1977). Autograph letter signed by him, dated Sept. 10, 1946, to the American composer Johan Franco (1908-1988): «...As luck would have it, next Sunday is the day that I expect to leave for New York to be there for the first half of the week. But perhaps you will be in Boston all the week...». Size is 8.3 x 5.4 inches, 1 page, creases, folds, letterhead, in very good condition.

French composer (1782-1843), who was also a pianist and teacher. Autograph letter signed, dated in Rouen in 1824, two pages in French (sold untranslated). Each page is 7.5 x 9.6 inches, folds, and damage/loss of paper in the center-right border, otherwise in good condition. The third page is written by another hand.

Austrian composer (1809-1878), creator of operas, operettas, songs, chamber music and translator of several Italian operas into German. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1862, 1 page in German, sold untranslated. Size is 5.75 x 8.5 inches, minor stains, otherwise in very good condition.

English composer (1835-1909), music theorist, writer, and teacher, whose work influenced many British classical musicians of succeeding generations.  Autograph letter signed in 1887, 8 pages, in English, about music business. Each page is 4.3 x 6.9 inches, in excellent condition.