Composer Autograph Manuscripts

English composer (1857-1934), whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire, being his best-known compositions his cello concerto and his two symphonies. Autograph letter written in English about musical and personal business signed by the composer, dated in Rome, on November 25th, 1917.  Each page is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, 3 pages (1 sheet), central fold, in excellent condition.

American composer (1926-1972), organist, and conductor who was primarily active during the 1940s to 1960s. Printed score for his work for organ Peaceful Waters signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment on the cover. Size is 9.25 x 12.25 inches, 4 pages, in excellent condition.

French composer (1808-1877) and musicologist. Lot of four short autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him. Letters are dated between 1839 and 1859 and are addressed to music-related people such as Alfred de Beauchesne (1803-1876), secretary at the Conservatoire and the music critic Alexis Azevedo (1813-1875), concerning music performance programs, and a performance of Halevy’s La Juive in 1844.  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Danish composer (1859-1939), known mainly for his operas, being The Witch his first major success.  Regular card signed by him in 1917 with a 2-bar music quote with lyrics. Size is 3.3 x 2.4 inches, in excellent condition.

French opera composer (1863-1919) who won the Prix de Rome in 1888 for his cantata "Velléde"; his most famous opera "Le Juif Polonais" premiered at the Opéra-Comique in 1900. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1897, addressed to the composer Vincent d’Indy, concerning the latter’s work “Fervaal” (1897): “…Je vous serai bien obligé de me faire envoyer la partition de “Fervaal” au plus vite – Envoyez moi aussi, sans faute, les notes très detaillés sur votre oeuvre…”  Open size Size is 9 x 6.9 inches, 2 written pages in one folded sheet, folds, creases, in overall very good condition.

French opera composer (1863-1919) who won the Prix de Rome in 1888 for his cantata "Velléde"; his most famous opera "Le Juif Polonais" was produced at the Opéra-Comique in 1900. Autograph manuscript probably with text related to one of his operas. 7 pages, in French, sold untranslated. Each page is 4.3 x 6.9 in size, in excellent condition.

French opera composer (1863-1919), winner of the Prix de Rome (1888) for his cantata "Velléde"; his most famous opera "Le Juif Polonais" was produced at the Opéra-Comique in 1900. Set of three autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, as follows: A. July 5, 1893. To the composer Carlos de Mesquita (1864-1953): “…nous verrions tous deux ce que je présenterai au Conservatoire cette année…”. On a postcard.  B. Paris, October 3, 1907. To the composer and pianist Michel-Maurice Lévy (1883-1965), concerning: “…votre beau projet de glorifier la mémoire de l’illustre musicien Edouard Grieg…”.  C. Paris, March 21, 1910. To an editor in chief, concerning a musical controversy: “…Mon excellent ami et collaborateur Pierre Louÿs [1870-1925, Belgian poet] a déjà fait justice – dans une lettre que vous avez bien voulu publier – du sans-gêne de M. M. [Hans, journalist] Liebstockl et [Max von] Oberleithner. À mon tour, je proteste énergiquement entre le procédé de quelques compositeurs d’outre-Rhin qui s’approprient, sans y être autorisés, tous les sujets d’opéras français qui leur conviennent. Il y a, en matière de proprieté littéraire, un droit de priorité est indiscutable…”.  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.  

Austrian composer (1874-1949). Autograph note in German on a postcard with his portrait by Anna Walt, signed by him to Herrn Viener clarifying that he was born on March 12, 1874 in Vienna. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, evident crease over the lower-right corner, in excellent condition.

Italian composer and conductor (1840-1891), who was also Music Director of Teatro La Scala. Autograph letter signed, dated in Padova, 1872, written in Italian (sold with a translation). Faccio mentions the rehearsals for the La Scala premiere of Aida. One page, sized 5.3 x 8.2 inches, spotted rust, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned promo carte-de-visite (cdv) of Faccio, sized 2.5 x 4.25 inches, in very good condition.

American composer (1872-1952), conductor, educator, and music publisher. A composer part of the Indianist movement, his works reflect his interest in a personal, esoteric form of spirituality.  Typed letter to a fan, an important autograph collector, dated in New York, 1949. Typed on a page with his letterhead (his signature, printed in blue ink), signed in ink by him at the bottom. Size is 8 x 10 inches, 1 page, storage holes, background stain, in very good condition.

French composer (1845-1924), organist, pianist, and teacher; one of the foremost French composers of his generation. Long autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by Fauré to an unidentified lady, no year indicated. Each page's size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 7 written pages in 2 folded sheets, folds, storage holes over the top in all pages, otherwise in very good condition.

French composer (1845-1924), organist, pianist, and teacher; one of the foremost French composers of his generation. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, no date indicated. Size is 4.5 x 6.9 inches, 1 page, central fold, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1764-1826) and Chapel Master in London, where he lived from 1790 on and performed his most notable works. Letter of exchange in French dated in Bologna, 1794, concerning payment of £ 15 to the merchant Gourdas and Hoofstetter in London, signed by the notary John Hawkins and with his dry seal. Size is 7.1 x 9 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), creases, folds, some stains, in overall good condition.

French composer (1810-1876), composed a number of operas, symphonies, and chamber music and was famous in his time. Short autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date. Size is 4.9 x 5.8 inches, 1 page, in very good condition.

Group of 7 autograph items from female composers, including: 1) Carrie Jacobs Bond (1862-1946), American songwriter, singer and pianist - signed photo postcard, 3.5 x 5.5 inches, 2) Daisy McGeoch, American songwriter and lyricist, signature on card with a couple of music notes, 6.2 x 3.4 inches, 3) Elfrida Andree (1841-1929), Swedish composer, organist and conductor, handwritten postcard, signed and dated in Goteborg in 1895, 3.5 x 5.5 inches, 4) Ethel Smyth (1858-1944), English composer and member of the women´s suffrage movement, signed postcard, dated in 1919, 4.5 x 3.5 inches, 5) Florence Aylward (1862-1950), English composer of ballads, signed clip from a letter, dated in 1903, 4 x 2.5 inches, 6) Maude Valerie White (1855-1937), French-born English composer of songs, autograph music quote signed on a card, dated in 1911, size is 4.5 x 3.5 inches, and 7) Suzanne Daneau (1901-1971), Belgian composer, signed photo postcard dated in 1932, size is 5.5 x 3.5 inches. All in very good condition - see scans. Sold as a lot only - not sold individually.

Italian composer (1884-1964). 5-bar autograph music quote signed and inscribed by him on an album page dated in Verona, 1958. Size is 8 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1872-1948), also known for his contributions to the Grove Dictionary of Music.  Handwritten signed postcard, written in French and sold untranslated. Size is 3.5 x 4.5 inches, slight rust (mostly on verso) and one small smudge on letter, otherwise in very good condition. 

German conductor and composer (1859-1939), a noted interpreter of Brahms' music. Set of 2 autograph letters signed by him: one of the is 1 page, dated in Kiel, 1881, size is 5.5 x 8.75 inches; the second one is written on a card, dated in Hamburg, 1885, size is 4.4 x 3.5 inches.  Both are written in German (sold untranslated), both in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

German composer (1860-1930), a pupil of Julius Schulhoff and Edmund Kretscher in Dresden, teacher at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin and the Chicago Musical College. Autograph letter in German signed by him, dated August 19, 1898, addressed to a music critic, concerning articles he published. Size is 6.2 x 8.5 inches, 3 written pages, central fold, overall rust tone, in very good condition.

Czech composer (1921-2006). Autograph music quote on a card with 1 bar from his opera "Romeo, Juliet & the Darkness" signed by him with an additional handwritten text. Size is 5 x 3 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by the composer, dated in Prague, 1963. Size is 8.25 x 11.6 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American classical composer (1853-1937) and member of "Boston Six".  Signed score for his Suite for Pianoforte Op. 15, published by Arthur P. Schmidt, Boston, 1887.  Foote signed and inscribed this printed score to famous pianist Leopold Godowsky, who was 28 years old in 1898, on the front cover, dating his autograph in 1898. A total of 20 pages including soft cover, 10.25 x 13 inches, damage on lower right corner, otherwise in very good condition.

German-American composer (1922-2009). Autograph letter signed, 1 page, dated in 1979, written in German, sold untranslated. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 6 x 8.25 inches, one fold, in excellent condition. 

Dutch-born American composer (1908-1988).  Autograph music quote with 2 bars of music from an unknown piece, signed by him, inscribed in a different ink color by him as well.  Size is 8.5 x 3.1 inches, in excellent condition.

English composer (1920-1990), who lived in the United States for the last 30 years of his life; his works include 5 symphonies, oratorio, and other works. Typed letter in English signed by the composer in 1981, with his letterhead, and a music quote at the bottom. Size is 7.25 x 10.4 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition.

Czech-born composer (1879-1972), creator of operettas, songs, and piano pieces. Autograph music quote on an album page with 2 bars from "The Vagabond King" (1925) -one of his most popular works.  Music quote is mounted on a mat together with a photograph of the composer. Total size is 7.75 x 11.75 inches, music quote is 5.25 x 3.3 inches (visible window size), in excellent condition.

German-born American composer (1905-1995), widely known for his synagogue and other Jewish religious music.  Nice card with 5 bars of music from an unknown piece, signed by him.  Card also has a message on verso signed by the composer as well. Size is 3.4 x 2 inches, creases from top to bottom over the left border, inscribed by another hand in red ink, minor stains, in good condition.

Italian composer (1872-1929), conductor, and concert pianist, best known for his operas Anton and Dorisse. Autograph letter in Italian (sold untranslated) signed by him. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 1 written page, in very good condition.

Italian composer (1851-1923), organist, conductor, and director of the Parma Conservatory and Milan Conservatory. Set of 5 autograph letters in Italian (untranslated) signed by him, two of them dated 1894, a note dated 1913, addressed to different people -Amilcare Ponchielli among them- about different matters. Different sizes, lengths, formats, and conditions (see scans provided). SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Swiss-born American pianist (1877-1972), and also conductor, composer, and music educator.  Score of his song "Love in a Cottage" signed and inscribed by him over the upper-right corner of the front cover dated 1919. Size is 10.6 x 13.5 inches, 6 pages including covers, some cracks, loose front cover, in overall very good condition.

American composer (1908-1982), best known for his ballets and electronic sounds and his collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock in the movie "The Birds" (1963) with the electronic soundtrack. Signed contract with an Associated Music Publisher company in 1943, three pages and with composer's signature on page 3. Size is 8.5 x 12 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED are two typed letters from Associated Music Publisher dated 1943 and 1946 with acceptance signature by Gassmann at the bottom (only one shown in the scans). Each one is on one page, size is 8.5 x 11 inches. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

German composer (1909-2007), and an academic; pupil of Paul Hindemith at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. 5-bar autograph music quote on a music sheet signed by him with a short sentiment.  Size is 8.1 x 5.7 inches, in excellent condition.

French composer (1850-1938) and organist. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, postmarked February 18, 1905, addressed to the poet and sculptor Georges Tattegrain (1845-1916), concerning a work in collaboration with the poet: “…Je travaille beaucoup notre cathédrale et je me fais un plaisir de vous annoncer que surtout depuis hier soir, je suis dans une très bonne vein de travail….si rien ne m’arrête, j’ai la confiances la plus complète dans la réussite de notre oeuvre…”. Size is 4.8 x 6.1 inches, 1 written page, folds, creases, jagged edges, in overall good condition.

French composer (1850-1938) and organist. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated August 24, no year indicated, addressed to the French conductor and composer Henri Defossé (1883-1956), conductor at the Opéra: “…Excusez ce retard à vous remercier pour le grand plaisir que vous m’avez fait, en nous donnant à ma femme et à moi l’occasion de voir et entendre ce ‘Boris Godounoff’ qui contient du génial à coté de certaines pages qui n’ont pas l’air d’être du même auteur (…) ce que je n’ai pas manqué de remarquer c’est votre façon de diriger, c’est clair, précis, souple et élégant…”  Size is 6.5 x 4.9 inches, 1 written page, folds, creases, dirt stains, jagged edges, in very good condition.

Peruvian composer (1873-1953). Autograph letter in English with the letterhead of the Academia Nacional de Música "Alcedo" signed by him, dated in Lima, 1940. Size is 5.5 x 8.5 inches, 1 page written on both sides, in excellent condition.

Collection of autograph documents and photos by German composers and musicians, with a total of 13 items from 11 different composers - including: composer Alexander von Fielitz (1860-1930), one autograph letter signed, 1913 - composer and educator August von Othegraven (1864-1946), one autograph letter signed - composer and band master, Franz von Blon (1861-1945), founder of the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, one autograph letter signed, 1913 - composer, Kapellmeister, conductor and pedagogue Gustav Gutheil (1868-1914), one autograph letter signed, 1912 - composer, conductor and teacher Hermann Graedener (1844-1929), one autograph letter signed, attached to the back of a concert invitation, 1918 - composer and statesman Karl Hermann Bitter (1813-1885), one autograph letter signed, 1883 - composer and educator Ludwig Gothov-Gruneke (1847-1921), 2 photo postcards, same front, each one signed on verso - composer and violinist Max Geiger (1885-1967), actually born in Poland, one photo postcard signed on verso, with a short autograph music quote from a Tango he created, 1930 - composer, conductor and jurist Max von Oberleithner (1868-1935), two short autograph letters signed, 1909 and 1926 - song composer and singer himself Robert Gounod (1865-1927), one autograph letter signed, 1905 - composer and conductor Wilhelm Franz Reuss (1886-1945), autograph signed card, with nazi salutation, 1943.

American lyricist (1896-1983) who collaborated with his younger brother George Gershwin (1898-1937) to create the most famous opera in the English language "Porgy and Bess". Typed contract (carbon copy) with original signatures of the two brothers by the bottom of the document, about the leasing to the International Play Bureau in Great Britain, and establishing royalties and fees. Size is 8.3 x 13 inches, 1 page, minor crack, folds, in very good condition. A highly desirable item directly related to their most famous musical work. ALSO INCLUDED  a black-and-white modern print photograph featuring the Gershwin brothers and Fred Astaire, mounted on hard cardboard. Total size is 8 x 9.9 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer and pianist (1898-1937), considered one of the top American composers in the 20th century for both Broadway music and the Classical concert hall.  Check #3165 signed by him and issued for US$15.58 on July 3, 1935. Size is 6.3 x 2.75 inches, left and top borders jagged, verso with ink-markings and seals, folds, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a gorgeous black-and-white unsigned photograph featuring the composer at work. Size is 7.9 x 9.9 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer and pianist (1898-1937), considered one of the top American composers in the 20th century for both Broadway music and the Classical concert hall. Short clip from the printed score of his Piano Concerto in F signed and inscribed by him to his fellow composer Salvador Ordoñez with a short sentiment "my sincere admiration and good wishes!". Size is 9.8 x 5.3 inches, some cracks, in overall very good condition.

Belgian composer (1828-1908) and musicologist, his output was mostly vocal music.  Autograph music quote signed by him, dated in 1866, 4 bars from an unknown piece, size is 6.8 x 4.75 inches, mounting traces on verso, otherwise in excellent condition.

Belgian composer (1828-1908) and music critic, director of Brussels Conservatory. Autograph letter in Dutch signed by him in pencil on the back of his personal card, to a gentleman concerning an upcoming meeting, Size is 3.8 x 2.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Belgian composer (1828-1908) and musicologist, whose output was mostly vocal music. Lot of five autograph documents, four signed autograph letters plus one signed autograph dedication, dated between 1862 and 1899 by the Belgian composer. Letters are addressed to the composer and cellist Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880), requesting theater seats, arranging meetings, and recommending a girl.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American composer (1903-1966), who created operas, songs, symphonies and band works. Card signed by him in New York 1953. Size is 3.5 x 2 inches, in very good condition.

American composer (1868-1928) and collector of folk songs.  Autograph music quote with 4 bars and lyrics of his "Pirate Song" signed by him.  Size is 9.5 x 3.6 inches, two folds, overall age-toning, in very good condition.

American composer (1872-1946) and tenor.  Printed score of one of his songs signed and inscribed by him on front cover.  Size is 10.5 x 13.6 inches, 4 pages in total including covers, cracks and minor stains, in fair condition.  Rare!!

Argentine composer (1916-1983), regarded as one of the most important composers of the Americas in the XX century. Card signed by him matted with his unsigned photograph, inscribed to American composer Christopher Rouse. Card is 4.5 x 3 inches (visible window size), photo is 2.75 x 3.8 inches (visible window size), for a total size of 7.5 x 11 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian verismo opera composer (1867-1948), famous for composing Andrea Chenier and Fedora, his two most famous operas. Menu page with the cast of the first performance of his opera Madame Sans-Gene at Teatro Regio, 1915, signed by him and six other signers. Size is 4.24 x 7.1 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned photograph of him. Size is 4.9 x 7 inches, in very good condition.