Composer Autograph Manuscripts ($100 - $250)

Austrian composer and conductor (1860-1945). Autograph note signed and dated in 1939, written in German thanking someone for the sending of 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

French composer (1825-1892), singer, and librettist, considered as the father of the genre of operetta in Paris. Set of three autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated between 1879 and 1891. Letters are addressed to gentlemen, concerning the sending of a letter to the composer Alexandre Artus (1821-1911), funerals of a child he cannot attend to, and theater seats. For a total of 3 pp. In-8 and in-16. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1825-1892), singer, librettist and conductor known as Hervé. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1868, 2 pages in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, some folds, in excellent condition. Includes a halftone photo of him.

French composer (1825-1892), singer, librettist, and conductor known as Hervé. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1869 and 1874. Letters are addressed to the French soprano Hortense Schneider (1833-1920), we report an extract as a sample: “…Dans quelques jours je commence un grand opéra bouffe destinée à être jouée cet hiver aux Folies Dramatique…”.  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.  

American composer (b.1923) and pianist. Autograph music quote on a card with 3 bars from "Miss Julie" (1965) signed and inscribed by him in 1965. Size is 5 x 3 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (b.1923) and pianist. 4-bar autograph music quote from the short song "Little Elegy" on a  card signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment, dated February 1995. Size is 5 x 3 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 (1847-1916) and music critic who won the Prix de Rome for composition in 1872. Set of 2 autograph letters signed by him, as follows: A. Paris, April 15, 1891, to a colleague, sending his best regards after a meeting. Size is 4.4 x 6.9 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.B. Paris, June 22, 1897, to a gentleman, making arrangements for a meeting at Gil Blas. Size is 5.2 x 8.3 inches, 1 page, letterhead, in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1847-1916) and music critic, winner of Prix de Rome for composition in 1872. Fine set of two autograph notes in French signed by him, one of them dated 1890. Letters concern upcoming engagements and meetings. Open size is 9.1 x 7.1 inches each, creases, dirt stains, in very good condition.

Italian composer of opera (1816-1887) and classical music, and a theatre director.  Autograph bifold letter signed by him with his letterhead on page 1, written in Italian (sold untranslated), no year.  Each page's size is 5.6 x 9 inches, 4 pages, small loss of paper over the upper border, spotted rust, in overall very good condition.

French composer (1877-1967) and writer on music. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, as follows: A. May 23, 1943, to the music critict Bernard Gavoty (1908-1981): “…Je vous remercie de m’avoir envoyé votre si vivante évocation de l’artiste d’élite que fut Louis Vierne….”. 2 pp. In-16. B. January 3, 1952, to Roger Commault, thanking him for having sent his “…discographie de Mahler (…) ne m’oubliez pas quand vous publierez celles de Strauss et de Wagner…”. 1 p. In-8 obl. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Swedish composer (1942-2019) of operas, oratorios, ballets, and choral works, as well as orchestral works. Printed score for his work "Through and Through" (1972) signed and inscribed by him on the first title page, Size is 13 x 19.75 inches, 57 pages, soft covers, some creases and marks on the front cover, the rest in excellent condition.

English baritone and composer (1834-1922), composed music under the pseudonym Ralph Betterton. 2-bar autograph music quote from Haendel's opera "Acis and Galatea" with the lyrics "Oh ruddier than the cherry" signed by him and dated on Oct 24, 1903.  Size is 8.5 x 10.6 inches, in overall excellent condition. On the verso, there is a curious autograph inscribed by a certain Frank Lincoln, dated in Cape Town on June 1, 1891; plus another signature belonging to Frank Wheeler, dated 1891.

French composer (1901-1989) whose real name was Henri-Pierre Poupard.  Short autograph music quote with 2 bars of music from an unknown piece, signed and dated by him in New York, 1953.  Size is 3.5 x 2 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (b.1946), whose career focused on vocal music. Autograph music quote with 3 bars from "Orpheus Descending" -his 2-act opera, signed and inscribed by the composer with a long sentiment, dated in Chicago, 1994. Size is 6.1 x 4.2 inches, minor marks on verso, in very good condition.

German composer and teacher (1847-1917), and older brother of Xaver Scharwenka.  Autograph note written in German (sold untranslated) on a postcard, boldly signed by the composer and dated by him in 1909.  Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

German composer and teacher (1847-1917), and older brother of Xaver Scharwenka. 4-bar autograph music quote from an Allegro Patetico signed by him and dated in Bremen may 25, 1900.  Size is 4.75 x  3.5 inches, in very good condition.

German pianist (1850-1924), composer, and teacher. 4-bar autograph music quote from his Polish Dances Op.3 No.1 (recorded for Columbia Records in 1911), signed by him and dated in  Washington, April 3, 1891. Size is 7.4 x 4.5 inches, some rust stains, in overall very good condition.

Norwegian composer (1859-1933), known especially for his operas. Autograph letter in German on the verso of a photograph of him shown at work on his desk, to a gentleman adding a 3-bar music quote from one of his works. Size is 4.5 x 3.4 inches, in very good condition.

French composer (1870-1958). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date specified, to a lady: “…je n’ai pas pensé, quand j’ai eu le plaisir de vous rencontrer chez Mme Simon, à vous parler de deux livres de valuer différent mais respectivement réelle: L’enfant inquiet, d’André Obey - et  Âmes héroïques de Louis Veuillet…”.  Open size is 8 x 5.1 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, folds and creases, dirt and rust stains, in overall good condition.

German composer of Jewish origin (1900-1956), also a pianist, conductor, and music critic. Autograph letter about the music business signed by Schonberg and addressed to conductor David Randolph, dated in 1955. Size is 5.2 x 6.4 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a copy of a typed page with some reviews of Jakob Schonberg's music. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Austrian composer (1878-1934), conductor, teacher, and administrator. His signature on a card dated in Berlin, September 1931, matted with a small ovalized half-tone photograph of him.  Total size is 7.8 x 9.7 inches, signature card is 4.8 x 2.2 inches (visible window size), ovalized photograph is 2.4 x 3.2 inches, all in excellent condition.

German composer (1910-1972) of light music, creator of operettas, folks songs, and music for films.  Autograph music quote on a sheet of paper with his letterhead with five bars from one of his songs, signed by him. Size is 8.25 x 11.7 inches, pencil markings on verso, in excellent condition.

American composer (1925-2015), performer, conductor and teacher, noted for his works in both jazz and classical music. Autograph music quote with three bars from his String Quartet No.1, matted together with a half-tone photo of him. Total size of 14 x 11 inches (music quote is 6 x 3.3 inches), visible window size, minor crease on mat, otherwise all in excellent condition.

American composer (1910-1992), and Arts Administrator.  Autograph music quote with few notes and his letterhead, signed and dated by him in New York, 1982.   Size is 7.2 x 10.4 inches, folds, in excellent condition.

American composer (b.1943), educator, and member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 2002. Signed score for his wind ensemble "And the Mountains Rising Nowhere" (1977) signed by him as "Joe" on the first title page with a long sentiment. Size is 12.1 x 17.5 inches, 24 pages, some stains on the cover, in overall excellent condition.

Hungarian-born American songwriter (1878-1956). 4-bar autograph music quote from his song "Chinatown" (1910) signed by him on a music sheet. Size is 9 x 4 inches, in excellent condition.

English composer and long-serving officer of the College of Arms in London (1847-1918). His work was mostly for voice, he aimed primarily at amateur performers and his music was very popular. Autograph music quote signed, with 4 bars of music, dated in 1899, with letterhead of the College of Arms, London. Size is 7.25 x 5.25 inches, mounted traces on corners, some folds, otherwise in very good condition.

Hungarian conductor (1850-1898) who assisted Wagner with the Ring and the first Bayreuth Festival in 1876. He later conducted at the Met Opera and the New York Philharmonic between 1891 and 1898. Nice autograph music quote, signed and dated in New York in 1894, matted with a niche photo postcard of him, ready to frame if desired. Autograph is 4.25 x 3 inches (visible window size), total mat size is 9.75 x 15.25 inches, in excellent condition.  Click on thumbnail to see a larger image

French composer (1824-1888), and timpanist in the Paris Opera Orchestra. Set of three autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, one of them dated July 14, no year. One letter is addressed to the dramatist Édouard Cadol (1831-1898), concerning his health and theater rumors. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer of operettas (1846-1904), autograph note signed, written at the Savoy Hotel in London, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5 x 8 inches, in excellent condition.

Russian composer and pianist (b.1932). Beautiful half-tone photograph on photograph paper signed by the composer with 3 bars of music from an unknown piece, dated in 1999.  Size is 4 x 5.75 inches, in excellent condition.

Dutch composer and organist ((1827-1909), a pupil of Friedrich Kalkbrenner et Fromental Halévy. Fine autograph letter signed by him, dated 22/4 1857, to the German pianist Alfred Dörffell (1821-1905), concerning a Sonata he is composing and about Mendelssohn and Händel music supporters of the time. Each page's size is 4.2 x 6.8 inches, 4 written pages in one folded sheet, overall rust tone, folds, few creases; in very good condition. Handwritten translation from German to Italian in a separate sheet is ALSO INCLUDED.

French composer (1881-1970), mother of the composer Louise Marie Simon (also known as Claude Arrieu 1903-1990). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, dated February 24 (no year), to a gentleman: “…je viens vous soumettre deux oeuvres qui ont été jouées en 1ère audition aux concerts Colonne avec l’espoir que l’une d’elle vous plaira et que peut-être vous la ferez figurer à l’une de vos remarquables concerts. Nos amis Monsieur et Madame J. Ibert et Monsier et Madame Grévrir-Bériza doivent déjeuner chez mois ces jours-ci, vous me ferez une très grand plaisir en vous joignant…”.  Size is 5.3 x 7.2 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, monogram at the top, central fold, creases, in overall very good condition.

Famous Italian violinist and composer (1857-1928), mostly known for his chamber music. Simonetti´s career developed mostly in England and Ireland.  Autograph album page with a handwritten music quote signed by him, 2 bars of music annotated "madrigale", from his Madrigale for violin and piano (1901), dated in 1905. Size is 4.25 x 3.4 inches, some rust stains, in very good condition.   Watch this piece here:

Italian composer (1868-1944), autograph music quote signed, inscribed and dated in London in 1934. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, small folds and mounting traces on verso, otherwise in excellent condition.

Russian composer (1932-2020), and also pianist and musicologist.  Autograph music quote with 8 bars of music from his work "Mary Stuart" (1978), signed by him.  Size is 5.25 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Russian-American composer (1894-1995) and also pianist and conductor.  Autograph music quote mounted on an orange-colored card, with 3 bars of music from his work "Modinha russo-brasileira", signed and dated by him in Los Angeles, 1976.  Size is 6 x 4 inches, in excellent condition.

English composer (1776-1867), who was also conductor, violinist, organist and teacher, some of his church music became very well-known. Autograph letter signed, in English, two pages, each one is 4.4 x 7 inches, has folds and minor stains, otherwise in very good condition.

Polish composer (1805-1880) and pianist to whom Schubert dedicated the song "An die Musik". Autograph letter in French signed by him, dated June 20, 1859, where he addresses a gentleman: “…Dites-moi s’il y aura quelque chose dans l’Orphéon, je n’entends plus parler de votre aimable intention de faire un article sur mes deux ouvrages (…) Dans le cas ou votre article passerait pendant mon absence envoyer-le moi à Néris Hotel du Moulin (Allier). À mon retour j’irai vous voir et nous boirons à la santé de braves musiciens slaves…”.  Open size is 8.1 x 5.3 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, folds and creases, dirt and rust stains, in good condition.

American composer (1874-1948), creator of music ranging from religious songs to music for movies. Signed score of his most famous song "On the road to Mandalay", on words by Rudyard Kipling, inscribed and dated in 1931. Full printed score of the song, 12 pages in total including covers, 9.25 x 12 inches, some damage on the top right corner, otherwise in fine condition.