Composer Autograph Manuscripts

Italian soprano castrato (1737-1802), composer, and music teacher of the 18th century who is best remembered for his performances in the operas of C.W. Gluck. His original manuscript for his work "La Pazienza di Rinaldo". Size is 11.1 x 8.8 inches, 20 pages in total, minor stains, age-toning, and creases, in overall excellent condition. Autographs of Castrati are extremely rare to find!  

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 (b.1946).  Signed printed score for his mini opera "The Face on the Barroom Floor", published in 1979, signed and inscribed by the composer on the title page.  Size is 8.9 x 11.9 inches, full score with 56 pages plus soft covers, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a program for a performance of this mini opera in California, 1982, also signed and inscribed by the composer on the front cover.  Size is 8.5 x 11 inches, 6 pages (including covers), in excellent condition.

Italian composer and pianist (1895-1967). Autograph music quote on a card signed and inscribed with a short sentiment in Italian dated in Salzburg during the Mozartfest 1922. Size is 5.5 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (1893-1969), educator, and author, who composed music for theater, film, ballet and orchestra, best known for his folk opera The Ballad of Baby Doe (1956). Nice 2-bar autograph music quote from his work The Devil and Daniel Webster signed by him. Size is 6 x 3.7 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (1893-1969), educator, and author, who composed music for theater, film, ballet and orchestra, best known for his folk opera "The Ballad of Baby Doe" (1956). Autograph music quote with 4 bars from his orchestral suite "The Pageant of P.T. Barnum" (1924), signed and inscribed by him, dated in 1945.  Size is 8.9 x 3.6 inches, in excellent condition.

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.

Spanish composer (1891-1982) and also conductor, theatrical impresario, known for his zarzuelas and works for guitar.  Small paper clip with few notes and his signature.  Size is 4.2 x 5.6 inches, fold, mounting traces on verso, in good condition.

Italian composer (1902-1993) and also teacher, pupil of Pizzetti.  Autograph music quote with 4 bars of music from his work "La Figlia del Diavolo", signed and inscribed by him, dated in Venice, 1957.  Size is 8.25 x 5.8 inches, 1 page, in excellent 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

American composer (1892-1982), autograph letter signed, 1 page, dated in 1935. Size is 6 x 9 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian composer of opera and film music (1885-1951), Mulé created 7 operas and was in his time well-connected with the fascist regime. Signed score of his 4th opera, "Dafni" (1928), first edition, version for piano and voice, inscribed to Canadian pianist and teacher Helen Paxton, dated in Roma, 1928. Autograph is on the full title page. A total of 248 numbered pages, original covers, published by Ricordi, Milano, 1928. Size is 8 x 10.8 inches, first 2 pages are loose, some wear and paper loss on corners, in good condition. Rare!

Famous Russian composer (1839-1881), one of the greatest in history, who died young.  Exceedingly rare score for his piano solo piece The Seamstress (1871), printed and published by M. Bernard, St. Petersburg. The piece is inscribed to Mussorgsky´s friend Pyotr Shostakovsky (1857-1919), a prominent pianist and conductor, and founder of a music school in Moscow. Mussorgsky signs in ink in the top-right corner, inscribes the score to Shostakovsky (the score also has Shostakovsky´s name printed on the front cover), and dates his signature January 10th, 1880, just over a year before his death. Size is 10.3 x 13.5 inches, 4 pages, stains not affecting the autograph, spotted rust, folds, in overall good condition.  Autograph material by Mussorgsky is exceedingly rare, and this is a one-of-a-kind item. PRICE IS FINAL AND NOT NEGOTIABLE.

Italian composer and conductor (1821-1890), lifelong friend and only student of Giuseppe Verdi. Muzio toured extensively as a conductor, giving first performances of several Verdi operas in France and in the USA. In the early 1870s, Muzio became the conductor of the Theatre Italien in Paris, which was experiencing financial difficulties (referred in the present letter) that led to its closure later in the decade. Autograph letter to an unidentified impresario (probably the director of the Theatre Italien in Paris, signed by him. Muzio writes in length about an upcoming tour featuring Verdi´s Messa da Requiem, expresses concern about an apparent lack of organization, rehearsal time, and choristers of the tour´s inception in Brussels. He relays Mr and Mrs Verdi´s recommendations about the Italian Theatre in Paris, a performance of the Requiem in Versailles, and a costume designer. In French, sold with a transcription and a translation, dated in Milan in 1875. Six pages in folio format, each one is 4.4 x 6.9 inches, in very good 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.

American composer (1871-1943), conductor, teacher, and musicologist; one of the leading indianist composers of the early twentieth century. Autograph letter with his letterhead signed by him on May 12, 1905, mounted on page 4 of an original first edition (1909) vocal bilingual German-English score of his 3-act opera Poia, published by Adolph Fürstner (Berlin). Letter is 5.25 x 6.6 inches, score is 10.7 x 13.25 inches, 142 pages, soft covers, damage on binding, in overall very good condition. Poia was heard in concert in Pittsburgh in 1907 with good reviews and his full orchestral premiere was in 1910 at the Berlin Royal Opera House, in German.

German composer (1891-1974) and conductor, who wrote piano works, chamber music, film scores, but mostly known for his musical comedies and operettas. Autograph letter in German (sold untranslated) written and signed by him on a card with his letterhead. Size is 5.9 x 4.1 inches, 1 written page, in excellent 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.

Romanian composer (1927-2008), credited for introducing his own brand of heterophony. Card signed by him, dated 1992. Size is 5.75 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition.

Cuban-born Spanish composer (1879-1949), who studied in Paris under Moritz Moszkowski. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) to Canadian singer Eva Gauthier about personal matters, no date (postal markings indicate Paris, April 16, 1928). Size is 5.1 x 6.9 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an album page signed by him with a short sentiment, and other signature clips attached; signed on verso by pianist Jan Smeterlin.

Norwegian composer (1915-1988).  Autograph music quote on a card, with 3 bars from his String Quartet No.2, signed by him.  Size is 5.8 x 3.6 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a small half-tone photograph of the composer, size is 5.8 x 7 inches, in very good condition.

English composer (1830-1903), autograph letter signed, with official embossed letterhead as Chair of Music of the University of Edinburgh. 2 pages, written in London, dated in 1872. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, some mounting traces on inside pages not affecting the text or signature. Otherwise in excellent condition.

American composer (1874-1962), pianist, and teacher; creator of numerous orchestral works.  Autograph music quote with 2 bars from his 2nd symphony, signed by him.  Size is 6.25 x 3.25 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

Irish composer (1806-1893) and pianist. Set of five autograph letters in French signed by him in different years, about personal and professional issues. Different sizes and lenghts, sold untranslated, all in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian composer (1796-1867), best known for his around 70 stage works including many operas in a light style. Autograph letter in Italian (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated in Naples, 1833. Size is 6.9 x 8.8 inches, 1 page, central fold, some stains, otherwise in excellent condition.

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.

Spanish composer (1889-1960) and also a pianist.  Lengthy Autograph music quote with 11 bars of his famous song "Princesita", signed, inscribed, and dated by him in 1944.  Size is 9.1 x 3.75 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1771-1839), his career focused mostly on operas and oratorios. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him in Paris, 1831. Size is 5.1 x 8.1 inches, 1 written page in 1 folded sheet, some creases, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1771-1839), his career focused mostly on operas and oratorios.  Autograph letter in French written and signed by him in Paris on April 25, 1839, days before passing away:  "My dear Friend, I have sent to Mr. Vogt the letter of appointment as first oboist of the King's Music, which I received last night. I am delighted that this matter has finally been decided according to our wishes; I hasten to let you know, and I embrace you. Your very devoted, F. Paër. Paris, this 25th of April, 1839." This letter has historic significance because it mentions Gustave Vogt, a celebrated 19th-century European oboist and professor at the Paris Conservatoire, and was penned by Paër mere days before his death in Paris on May 3, 1839. Size is 7 x 9.4 inches, 1 page, overall rust tone, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1771-1839) of Austrian descent, known for his operas and oratorios. Document in French containing the fees paid to singers and musicians for a concert, signed by Paer as Director of Chamber Music at the Theatre of the Emperor, dated 1813.  Size is 8.3 x 12.75 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.

American composer (1839-1906), probably the first American composer to achieve fame for his large orchestral music. Autograph music quote on a clip of paper with 4 bars from an unknown piece signed by him.  Size is 5.25 x 2.4 inches, mounting traces on verso, otherwise in very good condition.

French composer (1844-1926) whose career focused mostly in opera. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him and dated 1897 where he mentions his works. Size is 4.4 x 6.9 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a fine cabinet photograph of him by photographer H. Boute-Dooreman (Paris) signed and inscribed by Paladilhe with a short sentiment dated 1893. Size is 4.1 x 6.4 inches, gilded edges, in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1844-1926) best known for his opera Patrie! which premiered successfully at the Paris Opera in 1886. Autograph letter in French written by the composer's widow (some time after the death of the composer in 1926) to a friend of the family where she states: "Dear Sir, I deeply regretted this morning having had to leave without shaking your hand. It was a sweet emotion for me to hear these melodies performed in such a charming way, these melodies that, four days before his death, my dear husband accompanied for one of my nieces!Thank you, dear Sir, for your thought, and please accept all my deepest and most moved sentiments. Mme Paladhile" Size is 7.1 x 8.25 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.  

French composer (1844-1926) whose career focused mostly in opera.  Signed card mounted on hard cardboard, with 2 bars of music from an unknown piece, dated in Paris, 1906.  Size is 4 x 2.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Argentine conductor and composer (1875-1967), one of the leading conductors of the early 20th century. Fine 4-bar autograph music quote from the second act of his opera Medio Evo Latino signed by him in Milan, 1904, on a regular postcard with a short printed text over the left border. Size is 5.6 x 3.6 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.