Composer Autograph Manuscripts

French composer (1874-1952), author of the 2 act drama “Pyrame en Thisbé” (1904). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, March 17, 1911, where he addresses a theater director, concerning a music program for an upcoming performance: “…Je prends la liberté de vous communiquer un programme que j’ai dirigé il y a quelques jours à Angoulême, ainsi que l’une des critiques parues le lendemain du concert…”.  Open size is 8.9 x 7.1 inches, two written pages in one folded sheet, central fold, some creases and dirt stains, in overall very good condition.

German composer (1879-1968), pianist, conductor and critic. Autograph letter on a postcard signed by him in 1933. Size is 4.1 x 5.8 inches, 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.

Austrian composer (1909-1992), violist, music teacher, and conductor. 6-bar music quote from his musical drama "Gilgamesh" signed and inscribed by him, dated 1991. Size is 8.2 x 11.6 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a small unsigned half-tone clip photograph of him. Size is 2.1 x 2.5 inches, in very good condition.

Austrian composer (b.1936) and teacher. 3-bar autograph music quote from one of his string quartets signed by him with a short sentiment. Size is 10.4 x 8.75 inches, central fold, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a 2-written page autograph letter in German (untranslated) signed by him. about music issues, dated 1992, size is 8.25 x 11.6 inches. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Italian composer (1790-1848), particularly of operas, and a singing teacher whose method are still widely taught in singing schools. Original autograph of the full score of his aria L'Orfanella signed by him over the upper-right corner. Size is 12.4 x 9.1 inches, 4 pages in one sheet, in excellent condition. Autographs by Vaccai are exceedingly rare to find. A short sample of this aria can be heard by clicking here.

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. 

Belgian composer (1825-1888), musicologist, and music critic, chapel master in Louvain. Collection of four autograph letters signed by him and dated between 1871 and 1884,  addressed to colleagues, among them the German music book antiquarian Leo Liepmannssohn (1840-1915), and related to the musical organization for the 1880 Belgian Exposition, the controversy around a performance of ancient arias, and an article on Cherubini to be published in Belgium. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

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.

French composer (1844-1908). Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by him. Size is 5.3 x 8.3 inches 1 page, minor stains over the top and bottom, ink marking by another hand, in overall 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 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.  

French composer (1822-1884) of sacred music, and director of singing at Notre-Dame between 1876-1884. A very important autograph letter in French signed by him, dated in Paris, April 8, 1872, to a collegue, mentioning a trial regarding the widow of the composer Gioacchino Rossini, Olympe Pélissier, and unpublished works by the composer: “…Je ne pouvais rien vous écrire avant de connaître l’issue du procès de Madame Rossini. Aujourd’hui, j’apprends qu’elle vient de le perdre (…) Avez vous réussi à trouver un nombre de souscriptions suffisant pour l’acquisition des oeuvres inédites de Rossini (…) Aussi me suis-je sincerement réjoui lorsque en ma présence Madame Rossini a pris l’engagement de vous les vendre en toute propriété…”. Size is 5.3 x 8.25 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), overall rust tone, creases, with letterhead, in overall very good condition.

French composer (1857-1941) and violinist, son of Pauline Viardot, who appeared with great success in Paris and London. Autograph letter in French (sold with translation) signed by him about personal matters and music lessons. Size is 4.4 x 6.8 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), minor crack over the top, folds, otherwise in excellent condition.

French composer (1863-1931), who was also conductor and music teacher, mainly active in Paris. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date, with letterhead. Size is 5.3 x 8.4 inches, 1 page, loss of paper over the lower-left corner, otherwise in excellent condition.

French composer (1863-1931), who was also conductor and music teacher, mainly active in Paris. Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by him. Size is 4.6 x 6.3 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition.

Romanian composer (1926-1998), and also music theoretician and educator. Full page autograph music quote with some bars from his choral work "Clepsidra I" signed and inscribed by him, dated in Bucharest, 1985.  Size is 8.5 x 10.9 inches, in excellent condition.

Belgian composer (1820-1881), and violinist, who extensively toured through Europe and the US, considered one of the leading violinists of the 19th century. Autograph letter in French (sold with translation and transcription) signed by him and addressed to a certain Mr. Guillaume, about the career of some students and the birth of a new grandson.  Size is 5.2 x 8.2 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet, some stains, in overall very good condition.

Irish composer (1852-1924), who was also music teacher and conductor, creator of an important number of symphonic music and coral work for church performance, plus 9 operas. Printed score for full orchestra for his 3rd Symphony, signed by the composer in pencil on top of the title page.  Villiers Stanford´s 3rd Symphony was premiered in 1887 and was entitled "The Irish", it is his most popular symphony. Published by Novello, Ewer and Co., London and New York, 183 numbered pages plus extras, hardcovers, 11 x 13.6 inches. Pencil markings by another hand in some pages, (see a scan of page 1 as an example), spotted rust, in overall good condition.

Italian violinist and composer (1755-1824), a famous virtuoso of his time and an important composer for the violin, later in life, opera director. Printed score for his Violin Concerto in G, version adapted for the piano, opus WIa:7, adapted by pianist J.L. Dussek from his violin concerto WI:23. Signed by him over the lower right corner of the front cover page. A total of 22 pages plus front cover, 9.4 x 12.2 inches. Printed for the author and sold by Clementi and Co., London. Some ink annotations by another hand at the top right and near the signature, over the lower right corner, probably former ownership. Probably had original covers that are now missing, in overall very good condition. 

Italian  composer and conductor (1884-1948), mostly known for his operas and sacred music.  Autograph letter signed, addressed to the Metropolitan Opera's General Manager Gulio Gatti-Casazza, dated in Padua in 1923. 4 pages written in Italian, sold untranslated. Very bold handwriting and signature. Size of each unfolded page is 6.75 x 10 inches, in excellent condition. 

French operetta composer and violinist (1841-1906), who was also a conductor and theater director.   Group of three autograph letters signed, all three written in French and sold untranslated.  One letter dated in 1887 is 2 pages, 4.5 x 7 inches,  another with the letterhead of the "Theatre National de L'Opera Comique" in Paris is one page, dated in 1898 is 5.25 x 8.25 inches,  both in excellent condition. A third letter written on the letterhead of the "Grand-Theatre Municipal" of Lyon, dated in 1896 is 2 pages at 8.25 x 10 inches , small stains on far left edge of the document, otherwise in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

French composer (1841-1906) and conductor. Set of two autograph letters signed by him with the letterhead of Theatre des Folies-Dramatiques, dated in Paris, 1893.  Size is 5.25 x 8.3 each, 1 page each, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

German composer and conductor (1911-1992), who was also an academic teacher. Vogt created 2 operas and several orchestral works. Autograph music quote signed, from his concerto for cello and orchestra, dated in 1968. Size is 5.25 x 6.6 inches, in excellent condition.

German opera composer (1875-1942), created 5 operas and orchestral works, worked in the US, England, and later produced the Munich Opera Festival until 1934 when he was banished by the nazi government. Music quote from his Festival Prelude, op. 53, signed and dated in 1938, together with an autograph letter, in German, signed by him - also dated in 1938 in Hechendorf am Pilsensee, Bavaria, where he lived and would die 4 years later. Sizes are 7 x 3.25 inches for the autograph music quote signed, and 8.75 x 11 inches autograph letter. Letter is 1 page long, it is written only on 1 side, has some minor folds, and is sold untranslated.

Austrian composer of light operettas (1819-1895). Fatinitza was premiered in Vienna in 1876, and was Franz von Suppe´s first full opera and one of his biggest triumphs. Signed piano and vocal score, no year mentioned but circa 1879, listing the singers of the Paris premiere of 1879 - probably printed for the occasion.  Boldly signed by the composer and inscribed to Scipion, one of the singers in the cast that night. Size is 7.75 x 10.75 inches, 238 pages, in fine condition. Listen to a piece from "Fatinitza", act I:

English-born composer (1865-1947) and composer, raised in Sweden.  Autograph music quote on a small card with a  short music quote with 6 bars of vocal music, signed by him in Rattvik, Sweden.  Size is 3.5 x 2.5 inches, minor crease, in excellent condition.

Autograph letter written and signed by the legendary composer, dated on October 23 (no year indicated), addressed to a certain Mr. Fritzsche (who was probably his publisher), about returning some proof sheets and agreeing to certain proposals. Size is 5.25 x 8.5 inches, 1 page, mat-burn stains, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned photo postcard of the composer. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer and educator (1881-1946).  Printed score for this piano transcription of the work "From the Land of the Sky Blue Water", signed and inscribed with a short sentiment by him.  Size is 9.25 x 12.1 inches, 6 pages (including covers), in excellent condition.

American composer (1889-1954), creator of songs and choral music. Autograph music quote with 8 bars from one of his works, signed by him, dated in 1951. Size is 9.4 x 3.75 inches, repaired crack over the top, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED are 2 autograph letters signed: one of them has 2 pages, dated in 1943 with a letterhead from a Hotel in Chicago, size 7.25 x 10.5 inches, folds, in excellent condition; the other is 1 page with a letterhead from a hotel in New York, no year, size 6 x 9.4 inches, folds, in very good condition.

Program page for the first American performance of Walton's opera "Troilus and Cressida" at San Francisco Opera on October 7, 1955, signed by the composer himself and some other performers such as Dorothy Kirsten, Richard Lewis, Robert Weede, and conductor Erich Leinsdorf. Size is 5.75 x 8.7 inches, cast page only, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a black-and-white photograph signed by Dorothy Kirsten in this production, shown next to Richard Lewis. Size is 7.9 x 9.8 inches, in excellent condition.

English composer (1902-1983), known for his works on several classical genres including opera, oratorio, orchestral, film, etc. Autograph music quote on a sheet of paper with a printed Richard Wagner facsimile over the lower border, with 1 bar of music from "Façade", one of Walton's most famous works, signed and dated by him in 1977. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, mounting traces on verso, in very good condition.

English composer (1902-1983), known for his works in several classical genres including opera, oratorio, orchestral, film, etc. Autograph note with the hotel's letterhead signed by him on Easter Sunday 1973.  Size is 8.7 x 6.5 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned half-tone photograph of the composer shown young. Size is 5 x 7.8 inches, in excellent condition.

English composer (1902-1983), known for his works on several classical genres including opera, oratorio, orchestral, film, etc. Printed vocal score of his cantata "Belshazzar´s Feast" (1931), this is the revised edition from 1955, signed by the composer on the front cover. Size is 6.75 x 9.75 inches, with all 120 pages and both covers, some damage/wear in the spine, markings inside, in overall very good condition.

American composer (1917-2013), best remembered for his opera "The Crucible" (1961). Extended 9-bar autograph music quote from act IV of his opera "The Crucible" (1961) on a music sheet signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment. Size is 8.5 x 11 inches, in excellent condition.

British composer (b.1928) and also an educator. Full page autograph music quote with 5 bars from his oratorio "The Passion" (1962) signed by him.  Size is 8.5 x 10.9 inches, in excellent condition.

German composer (1786-1826), conductor, and pianist; best known for his operas Der Freischutz (1821) and Oberon (1826); a crucial figure in the development of German Romantic Opera. Autograph document in German signed by him on March 15, 1814, where he certifies having received a payment. Size is 8 x 4.3 inches, 1 page, in very good condition. Translation into English is ALSO INCLUDED.

French composer (1821-1910) and music publisher. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him. Size is 4 x 5.1 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is Weckerlin's visiting card with a short sentiment written by him. Size is 3.6 x 2.2 inches, mounting traces on verso, otherwise in very good condition.

French composer (1821-1910) and music publisher. Lot of four autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, one dated 1860. Letters are addressed to journalists and musicians. We report two extracts as a sample: “…On n’est pas bon, indulgent et aimable comme vous. Je viens vous remercier avec effusion. Vous avez analysé mon oeuvre non seulement en musicien, mais en poète…” ; “…La répétition générale aura lieu mercredi jour du concert (19) à midi…”.  For a total of 4 pp. In-8. ALSO INCLUDED is an autograph letter signed by the playwright Édouard Fournier (1819-1880) to Weckerlin: “…L’adresse de Madame Ugalde est hélas! Lors Paris (…) Je tiens le renseignement de son dernier directeur celui de l’Eldorado. Il soit donc être très exact. Voyez-là. On la dit engagée au lyrique. Sachez-le, et dans le cas où il faudrait consentement de votre ennemi intime Carvalho, je m’en chargerais…”. 2 pp. In-8.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Czech-born American composer (1896-1967) who settled in the USA in 1922 whose output of over 100 works included operas, operettas, choral and orchestral works. 2-bar autograph music quote from a piece signed by her in 1929 on the verso of a postcard. Size is 5.4 x 3.5 inches, in very good condition.

Czech-born American composer (1896-1967) who settled in the USA in 1922 whose output of over 100 works included operas, operettas, choral and orchestral works. 3-bar autograph music quote signed by him in 1939 on a card attached with a small half-tone photo of him. Size is 3.6 x 5.5 inches, in very good condition.

American pianist (1912-1996), arranger, composer, and conductor who worked in music and television from the 1930s to the 1970s. 4-bar autograph music quote from his work "Shrimp Boats" (1951) including lyrics and signed by him. Size is 5 x 3 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (1862-1941), teacher, and writer. Set of 4 autograph letters signed by him, no year indicated but circa 1913.  Two of them are 1-page letters and the other two are 2-page letters.  1-page letters are 6.1 x 7.7 inches each, and 2-page letters are 5.25 x 6.9 inches each; folds, all in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

German composer (1823-1905) and writer. Autograph letter in German signed by him, dated December 23, 1883, to a music director, concerning upcoming business:  "... I would have another year like that and that is Italy and Germany, which is as for me even more binding and obligatory must hold more moderately besides, my financial circumstances are due to a limited nature...". Size is 8.3 x 10.3 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), creases, wrinks, folds, small crack over the top, in overall very good condition.

Polish violinist (1835-1880), composer, and pedagogue, regarded among the most distinguished violinists in history. Fine 2-bar autograph music quote from his Faust Fantasy for Violin signed by him on a card in Springfield, May 8th, 1873, during his American tour. Size is 5.25 x 2.8 inches, rust stains over the borders, otherwise in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned photo postcard of the composer. Size is 3.4 x 5.3 inches, in excellent condition.