Composer Autograph Manuscripts

Russian, later French-American composer (1882-1971), widely considered one of the most important of the 20th century. Card signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment, dated January 29th, 1960. Size is 5 x 3 inches, in excellent condition.

Russian, later French and American composer (1882-1971), widely considered one of the most important of the 20th century. Printed score (transcription for piano) of "Marche Chinoise" from "Rossignol" boldly signed by the composer on the front cover. Size is 10.5 x 13.3 inches, 11 pages, loose pages, minor loss of paper, repaired cracks, otherwise in good condition.

German orchestra leader (1904-1998), conductor, composer, and jurist. Fantastic black-and-white photograph signed by him with a short music quote, inscribed and dated in 1977.  Size is 4.2 x 5.75 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (1884-1958), who was also a painter and writer. Strickland published almost 400 works, mostly songs. Autograph music quote, from a song called Dreamin’ Time (1923), for contralto and orchestra, showing 6 bars of the piece. Size is 9.1 x 4.8 inches, two folds, in excellent condition.

German conductor (1886-1958) and composer. His personal card printed with his name on one side and signed by him on its verso with a short sentiment, dated in Munich, 1956. Size is 4.4 x 2.8 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer and lyricist (b.1928), known for his Broadway musicals. Autograph music quote on a card signed by him with two bars from his song "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow". Size is 6 x 4 inches, in excellent condition. Watch the composer performing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow":  

English composer (1862-1928) of Edwardian musical comedy, best known for the hit show "Florodora" and many popular songs. 4-bar autograph music quote signed and inscribed by him, dated March 14th, 1883, from his operetta "The School Girl" (1903). Size is 6.2 x 7.8 inches, 1 pages, in excellent condition.

Slovak composer (1908-1993); considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century. 4-bar autograph music quote signed and inscribed, dated July 28, 1951, mounted on dark green cardboard. Total Size is 3 x 3.6 inches, in excellent condition.

Czech composer (1908-1993). Fold-out biographical booklet signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment, dated 1986 according to postal markings. Size is 3.93 x 8.1 inches, in very good condition. Original envelope is ALSO INCLUDED.

English composer (1842-1900), best known for his 14 operatic collaborations with the dramatist W.S. Gilbert. Autograph letter in English signed by him about his trips and music business. Size is 4.3 x 6.9 inches, 4 written pages in one folded sheet, central fold, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an incomplete letter (only 2 pages from a larger letter) signed by him, no date. Size is 3.4 x 5.3 inches, mounting traces on verso, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a photo postcard with the image of the composer. Size is 3.25 x 5.3 inches, ink markings below, in overall very good condition.

Spanish composer (1915-1997) and conductor.  Set of 4 autograph letters signed by him, all written in French (sold untranslated) from New York during the early 1950s.  Two of them signed as "Carlos" and two as "Carlos Surinach".  Each letter's size is 8.4 x 11 inches, folds, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED are 4 envelopes handwritten by the Spanish composer with the addresses of the recipients. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Swiss composer (1910-1995), famous for his opera "Romeo et Juliette". Nice card with his letterhead signed by the composer with a 4-bar music quote from his opera "Romeo et Juliette".  Size is 5.75 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition.

Icelandic composer (1938-2019), and creator of numerous orchestral and solo works. Great autograph music quote with 1 bar of music signed and dated by the composer in 1987. Size is 8 x 5.6 inches, in excellent condition.

Polish composer and pianist (1882-1937), member of the modernist Young Poland movement that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th century. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, no date mentioned, about personal matters. Size is 5.2 x 7.1 inches, 1 page, mat burn marks, otherwise in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a half-tone photograph of the composer in his youth. Size is 5.9 x 8 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1892-1983), and the only female of the group of composers known as "Les Six"; her works include music for piano and film scores. Beautiful autograph music quote on an album page with 3 bars from her "Pastorale for Piano" (1919), signed and inscribed by her with a short sentiment, dated in 1920.  Size is 4.8 x 6.8 inches, some rust toning over the edges, otherwise in excellent condition.

Hungarian composer (1902-2005), and also professor; created numerous works for piano, chamber music, orchestral works, and some vocal music. Autograph music quote on a card with 2 bars from his "tarantella" for piano and orchestra (1937) signed by him, dated 1940.   Size is 4.7 x 3 inches, in excellent condition.

French-born American composer (1906-1996) and pupil of Nadia Boulanger; creator of piano works, chamber and vocal music. Autograph music quote on a page with 2 bars from her only opera "The Alcestiad" (1962) signed by her and dated in Frankfurt, 1962. Size is 8.8 x 6.1 inches, ink-markings over the lower-left corner by another hand, in excellent condition.

Austrian tenor (1891-1948), revered as one of the world's finest Mozartian tenors.  Signed printed score with three songs from his operetta "Der Singende Traüm", composed, signed and inscribed by him on the front cover, dated in Vienna, 1934.  This music was composed by Tauber for his lover, the Russian singer and actress Mary Losseff.  Size is 10.7 x 13.4 inches, 10 pages including covers, central fold, otherwise in very good condition.

American composer and music critic (1885-1966), famous for some of his operas that were popular in the 1930s and 40s. Autograph music quote signed by him, with 3 full bars from Act III from his opera The King´s Henchman, premiered in 1927 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Size is 10.5 x 4.5 inches, inscribed, in excellent condition. Listen to a piece of The King´s Henchman (Taylor), the original production with Lawrence Tibbett:

Russian composer, pianist and conductor (1873-1945), pupil of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Among other things he created music and conducted for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Autograph music quote signed from an orchestral piece called "Tale about the Fisherman and the Fish" (1917), dated in Paris in 1931. Size is 6.25 x 3.25 inches, in excellent condition. Watch a video of this piece, in piano version + sheet music:

French composer (1867-1923) of operettas, and became known by writing the music for the play "Ubu Roi" by Alfred Jarry in 1896. Interesting autograph letter in French signed by him and dated 1894, addressed to Francis Bettès, director of the magazine Universe Musical, informing that his first music chronicle has been written and ready to be published. Size is 5.3 x 8.4 inches, central fold, overall rust tone, letterhead, in very good condition.

Belgian composer (1816-1882) and conductor. Autograph letter in French, dated in Liege, May 12, 1859, addressed to the violinist and composer Amédée Dubois (1818-1865) thanking him for his participation in the public performance of some of his works.  Size is 5.2 x 8.2 inches, two written pages in one sheet (front and verso), translation not included, embossed letterhead over the top-left, folds, in very good condition.

Greek composer (b.1938), who has a peculiar position in contemporary music, being his work very hard to categorize in terms of currents and schools. Fine autograph music quote with some bars from an unknown piece signed by the composer. Size is 5.8 x 8.2 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1811-1896), mostly remembered today for his operas Mignon and Hamlet. Autograph letter signed, to an unknown friend, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.1 x 8.1 inches, two repaired cracks and some folds, otherwise in very good condition.

French composer (1811-1896), mostly remembered today for his operas Mignon and Hamlet. Autograph letter in French (sold with translation) with the letterhead of the Conservatoire National de Musique (Paris) signed by him.  Size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches, 1 page, folds, some stains, in very good condition.

French composer (1811-1896), mostly remembered today for his operas Mignon and Hamlet. Autograph note signed, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated, dated in Paris in 1872. Size is 4.75 x 7.75 inches, some rust on the left side (outside of the text area) and some folds, otherwise in very good condition. Also included: unsigned postcard photograph of the composer published by J. Philip Kruseman, The Hague, 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

American composer and critic (1896-1989), he was instrumental in the development of American classical music and father figure to a new generation of American tonal composers (such as Rorem, Bowles and Bernstein).  Lot of 4 signed autograph letters, 1 signed typed letter and 11 postcards handwritten by him, either signed or initialized - a total of 16 autograph items. These include 2 undated letters from New York and Washington, in approx. 6 x 9 inches in size, one letter from Mexico dated in 1952, sized 8.5 x 11 inches, and one note dated in New York in 1950, also 8.5 x 11 inches, plus a typed letter of the same size, dated in New York in 1953. The 11 postcards range in size from 3.5 x 5.5 to 4.25 x 6 inches, one with a picture of him on verso. All with business and personal content, in very good condition - Sold as a lot only, not sold individually. See scans.

American composer (1896-1989) and critic; instrumental in developing the "American Sound" in classical music. Autograph manuscript about his music in two separate sheets with his letterhead (probably part of another document), initialized by him at the end with "V.T." Size is 8.4 x 11 inches, 2 pages, in very good condition.

American composer and critic (1896-1989), he was instrumental in the development of American classical music and father figure to a new generation of American tonal composers (such as Rorem, Bowles, and Bernstein).  Printed score for a Suite for Orchestra "Louisiana Story", signed by the composer on the title page with a  short sentiment, dated in New York, 1950.  Size is 10.5 x 7.5 inches, 28 pages plus soft covers, in excellent condition.

French composer and musicologist (1857-1936), a pioneer in ethnomusicology.  Autograph letter signed, 1 page, dated in Paris in 1887, written in French and sold untranslated.  Very clear handwriting and signature. Size is 5.25 x 8 inches, small folds and a small stain on the verso, otherwise in excellent condition.

French composer and musicologist (1857-1936), a pioneer in ethnomusicology.  Autograph note on a card, signed by him, no year, written in French (sold untranslated).  Size is 4.4 x 3.4 inches, mounting traces on verso, in excellent condition.

English-born American composer (1895-?) and organist.  Original manuscript of his anthem for 4 voices entitled "Cast thy Burden Upon the Lord".  Size is 10.75 x 13.5 inches, full manuscript with a total of 7 pages plus front cover, minor rust stains on the edges, in very good condition.

English composer (1905-1998), together with Benjamin Britten, Tippett is considered one of the most important English composers of the 20th century. Set of 2 musical sketches made in pencil and written on both sides. Each one's size is 14.8 x 9.75 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a typed note (not shown) by Tippett's secretary with Michael Tippett's letterhead about a donation and the provision of discarded musical sketches and a photograph.

Portuguese composer (1908-1989), pianist, and pedagogue.  Signed card with a short music quote with 3 bars of music from his Serenata for Violin and Piano, dated in Lisbon, 1927.  Size is 4.25 x 2.25 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a small written envelope (not shown).

German composer (1887-1971) and teacher; a prestigious figure in the Berlin cultural scene during the 1930s. Autograph note in German on the verso of a black-and-white photo postcard of him, signed by him and dated June 23, 1920, to the lawyer and composer Fritz Brandt (1880-1949), on personal matters.  Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, overall rust tone on the back, clear crease over the upper-right corner, otherwise in excellent condition.

German composer (1879-1968), pianist, conductor, and also critic, whose most of his work focused on choral pieces and songs. Nice autograph music quote on an album page with 3 bars from his "Serenade", lyrics in German, signed by the composer.  Size is 7.1 x 5 inches, in excellent condition.

Spanish composer (1882-1949). Autograph note on a postcard written in French (sold untranslated) and signed by the composer, mentioning the upcoming world premiere of his first string quartet Op.4 in Paris, and inviting the music critic Calvo Coressi (1877-1949) to attend.  Size is 3.6 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Belgian-American composer, conductor, and founding conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (1858-1929). Autograph musical quote signed on a signature cut, 3 bars of music, dated in New York in 1885. Size is 2.25 x 4.5 inches, in very good condition. 

French composer (1844-1908). Autograph letter in Frenc signed by him, no date indicated, addressed to librettist Francois Oswald sharing his thoughts about some of his own works. Size is 4.4 x 6.9 inches, two written pages in one sheet (front and back), no translation included, central fold, overall rust tone, in very good condition.

Czech composer (1902-1988) and author of many famous "polka" songs. Autograph music quote on a card with 4 bars from his polka "Skoda Lasky" (1934) signed by him, dated in 1977. Size is 6 x 4 inches, in excellent condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840.  - Autograph letter fragment handwritten by Verdi, one full page, the first of a longer letter, in Italian, dated in Milan in 1899. Verdi writes to his niece Maria (see scans for more details about condition, translation). One page, in Italian, 5.25 x 9 inches, mounted on a paper that is the same size. - A handwritten, signed letter of Verdi´s niece Maria, 3 pages, in Italian, 4.25 x 7 inches (see scans for more details about condition, translation). - A color portrait of the composer, modern print, size is 7 x 8.9 inches, excellent condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all of Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840.  Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, to the famous music publisher Giulio Ricordi, no date. Size is 4.3 x 7.1 inches, 1 written page, central fold, in excellent condition. Original envelope ALSO INCLUDED.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all of Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840.  Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, to the famous music publisher Giulio Ricordi, no year indicated. Size is 5.25 x 7.9 inches, 2 written pages, folds, in excellent condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840. Fantastic autograph letter signed by him about personal matters, written in Italian (sold untranslated), dated in 1864.  Size is 5.1 x 8.1 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all of Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840.  Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by Verdi, dated in Busetto, Feb. 4, 1865, to the famous tenor Gilbert Duprez.  Each page's size is 5.1 x 8.1 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, folds, minor stains, in overall excellent condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840. 4-line autograph note in Italian (sold untranslated) signed by the composer and dated June 21, 1847(1849?), with his embossed initials over the upper-left corner. Size is 5.3 x 8 inches, folds, mounting traces on verso, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a small color print from the early 1900s with the image of the composer. Size is 7.75 x 5.8 inches, small staple holes over the upper right and lower left corners. ALSO INCLUDED is a modern print photograph of him. Size is 4.25 x 4.6 inches, in good condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all of Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840.  His personal card with a short text written by the composer himself "non rispondo ma ringrazio". Size is 3.4 x 2.2 inches, mounting traces on verso, in excellent condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all of Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840. Absolutely fabulous autograph music quote from Aida, signed by Verdi and dated by him on Jan 27th, 1881. Verdi writes 5 bars of music from this opera, the start from Aida´s musical leitmotif, "Amore, amore, grandi tormento..." sang by Aida on the duetto with Amneris on Act 2. Size is 5.25 x 8.3 inches, in excellent condition. This is probably the best autograph music quote signed by Verdi we have ever seen, and it has one of his most famous music themes.