Composer Autograph Manuscripts ($250 - $500)

French opera composer (1823-1909) and music critic, who succeeded Berlioz as a music critic at the Journal des débats and also worked as the librarian at the Académie de Musique. Autograph music quote on a post card with 4 bars from the third act of his opera "Sigurd" (1884) signed by him as "E. Reyer", no year.  Size is 5.6 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition.  

French composer (1823-1909) and music critic, Reyer is mostly known for his operas, of which Sigurd (1884) and Salammbo (1890) were the most successful. Autograph music quote signed, with 2 bars from Sigurd, dated in Paris in 1891, written on a lithograph with his image. Size is 9.6 x 12 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1809-1877), particularly known for his operas and working closely with his brother Luigi.  Autograph bifold letter signed, dated on July 27th, 1866, San Petersburg, Russia, during his stance there as a professor, written in Italian (sold untranslated), with his initials on the first page.  Each page's size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches, 3 pages, folds, in excellent condition.

Spanish composer (1901-1999) and a virtuoso pianist, best known for composing the Concierto de Aranjuez, a cornerstone of the classical guitar repertoire. Program for the celebration of the 90th birthday of the composer in 1992 at the Barbican Centre (London), signed by the composer on the front cover.  Size is 5.8 x 8.25 inches, full program with all pages and covers, in excellent condition.

American composer (1829-1896), pianist, and singer of Welsh descent. Autograph letter signed by him dated 1865, addressed to one of his friends. Size is 4.5 x 7.2 inches, 4 pages in one sheet, folds, mounting traces over the left border, otherwise in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a 4-bar music quote from one of his songs, signed by him over the upper-right corner.  Size is 10.5 x  7.8 inches, central fold, some stains, minor damage over the upper-right corner. Very rare! SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American song composer (1820-1895), very popular during the American Civil War. Fine autograph music quote on a card with 2 bars from one of his songs signed and dated by him in 1895.  Size is 4.4 x 2.9 inches, in excellent condition.

British composer (1901-1986), whose output includes instrumental and vocal works for soloists, chamber groups, and full choruses and orchestras. Autograph music quote with 3 bars of music from his second string quartet signed and inscribed by him, dated 1953. ALSO INCLUDED is a 1-page typed note with his letterhead signed by him, dated March 25, 1953. Size is 7.1 x 5.4 inches central fold, in excellent condition. Envelope included as well.

French composer (1835-1921), organist, conductor, and pianist of the Romantic era. Autograph note in French on his personal card signed by him, dated 1902 (according to pencil markings). Size is 3.9 x 2.3 inches, evident mat burn signs, in very good condition.

French composer (1835-1921), organist, conductor, and pianist of the romantic era. Postcard signed by him with a short music quote, dated in 1904. Size is 5.3 x 3.3 inches in excellent condition.

French composer (1882-1955), organist and conductor, pupil of Charles Lenepveu. Fine set of 9 interesting autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated between 1931 and 1953. Letters are addressed to the librettist Albert Willemetz (1887-1964) concerning informal meetings and music matters. We report two extracts as a sample: “…Je serais par [Jacques] Ibert que vas terminer “Les petit Cardinal” et si je ne m’apprête à applaudir…” ; “…Phi Phi est un ouvrage présente de la vieillesse par l’essence la “parisine”…”.   One letter is addressed to Paul Hillemacher’s wife on the occasion of the composer’s death: “…Ce parfait artiste, ce grand honnête homme laissera dans votre coeur brisé, dans la mémoire de tous les musiciens le souvenir inaltérable de sa très haute conscience…”. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions, in very good condition or better. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1901-1989). Lot of 4 autograph documents signed by him: two autograph letters and two signed and inscribed cards with short sentiments.  A. 9.12.1950. To a gentleman, concerning his “Chanson de l’oiseleur”: “…nous verrons à l’effet qu’on m’a produit ‘l’oiseleur’ sur ceux auxquels vous le destinez…”. 1 p. In-4. B. Paris, 5.11.65. To the writer Philippe Erlanger, concerning a book he sent him on Louis XIV: “…je vais vous retrouver en Louis XIV. Je sais que vous m’y plairez fort, car j’ai ouï-dire que votre livre est un chef-d’oeuvre…”. He then adds that he won’t be present at: “…la réunion du Conseil d’Administration de l’A.F.A.A. du 9…”. 2 pp. In-4.  SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French violinist and composer (1852-1920), Sauret composed over 1000 violin pieces, including a cadenza for Paganini's first violin concerto. Autograph music quote signed and dated in London in 1899 with 3 bars of music from an unknown piece. Size is 5.6 x 4.1 inches, central fold, in very good condition.

German pianist (1850-1924), composer, and teacher. Autograph letter in German (sold untranslated) signed by him and dated in Berlin, 1906, about musical issues.  Size is 5 x 7.25 inches, 3 written pages, mounting traces on verso, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a 4-bar autograph music quote from one of his works boldly signed by him and mounted on hard cardboard. Size is 3.8 x 6.1 inches, tape stains over the top, in overall very good condition.

French composer (1870-1958), part of the group "Les Apaches", including Maurice Ravel, Ricardo Viñes, and Michel-Dimitri Calvocoressi. Beautiful autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated August 18, no year, where he points to its correspondent  about the scores of a  series of songs: “…Si pour une raison ou une autre cela ne vous parvenait pas, peut-être serait-il bon que vous demandiez à M. Ledoux de passer avant son départ chez Philippo…et de lui demander les matériels… au vas où vous ne les auriez pas avec vous – des 3 Petites Filles ou Fleurs décloses…”.  Size is 8.2 x 9.5 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), folds, creases, dirt and rust stains, in overall very good 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.

Italian pianist (1841-1914) and composer, his output includes mostly piano music. Autograph letter signed, 1 page, in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 7.1 inches, central fold, in very good condition. Also included is a handwritten envelope that comes with this letter.

Cambodian ruler (1922-2012), who was twice the King of Cambodia (1941-1955 and again 1993-2005), also ruled his country 1955-1970. Sihanouk was also a composer and created nearly 50 pieces between the late 1940s and early 1970s. Autograph music quote signed on a card with printed staves, with several bars from "Suite Cambodgienne", indicated "Tempo di Vals", inscribed and dated by him in 1964. Size is 4.75 x 6.25 inches, in excellent condition.

American composer (1854-1932) and conductor of the late Romantic era known primarily for American military marches. Card signed by him containing a brief musical quote, bold handwriting and signature, and dated in Cleveland in 1896. Sold together with a fine photo postcard of him, size is 3.5 x 5 inches.  Both in excellent condition, not sold separately.

American composer (1854-1932) and conductor of the late Romantic era known primarily for American military marches. Score of "The Royal Welch Fusiliers" signed by on the front cover, inscribed to the American military officer George Richards, dated in 1930. Size is 9.4 x12.25 inches, minor cracks, some damage on the back page, otherwise in very 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.

Italian opera composer (1774-1851), highly famous in his time for some of his 22 operas; but largely been forgotten after his death. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him in which he requested his name to be erased from a biography he never authorized, addressed to the president of the Association of Artist-Musicians, and also mentioned his opera "La Vestale". Size is 6.4 x 10.75 inches, 1 page, overall rust stone, mild folds, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a small print of him by artist Auber. Size is 6.1 x 8.6 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian composer (1835-1916), brother of the composers Johann II and Josef. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, as follows:  A. Vienne, le 5 Octobre 1899. To a gentleman: “…Vous me proposez de louer ma salle pour 600 personnes, trois fois la semaine. En considération du petit nombre des concerts et craignant une faibles fréquence pendant la saison d’été, la salle étant déjà occupée pendant les après midi, me fait hésiter à entreprendre cette opération pour mon propre compte…”. 3 pp. In-8. With gilded letterhead. B. Vienne, le 14 Octobre 1899. To a gentleman: “…J’aimerai bien connaître les raisons qui vous ont portés à terminer la correspondance tout au commencement. Est-ce la question d’honoraire (dont on pourrait toujours parler) où les productions mêmes qui offrent des difficultés?…”. 2 pp. In-8. With gilded letterhead. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer and conductor (1806-1888), known as the Strauss of Paris, but unrelated to the famous waltz composer, although he created dance music and waltzes. Autograph music quote signed by him, dated in Paris in 1872. 17 bars from an unknown waltz, size is 8.25 x 5.4 inches, in excellent condition. See another Isaac Strauss autograph

Austrian composer (1870-1954) of operettas and films scores. Fine oval half-tone photograph signed by the composer with a 3-bar music quote from an unknown piece.  Size is 4.2 x 5.75 inches, minor mounting traces on verso, otherwise in very good condition.

German composer (1864-1949) and conductor, best known for his tone poems and operas; considered a successor of Wagner and Liszt.  Autograph letter in German (sold with translation) with his letterhead, signed by him and dated in Vienna, December 1922, about the rehearsals of one of his works. Size is 4.8 x 7.8 inches, 1 page, folds, evident mat burn markings, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned modern photo postcard of the composer. Size is 4.1 x 5.8 inches, in excellent condition.

German composer (1864-1949) and conductor, best known for his tone poems and operas; considered a successor of Wagner and Liszt.  2-bar autograph music quote with the main motif for the clarinet from his tone poem Til Eulenspiegel on a card signed by him. Size is 4.75 x 3.6 inches, in excellent condition.

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.

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":  

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.

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 (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.

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.

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 (untranslated) signed by him and dated in Brussels, July 8, 1842. Size is 5.6 x 8.1 inches, 1 written page, some small cracks over borders, dust stains at the left, folds, in overall very good condition.

French composer (1781-1870) and oboist, who enjoyed a very successful career as teacher. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, as follows: A. Dated, July 16, 1831, to Stephen de la Madeleine (1801-1868), having to decline the invitation of Georgette Ducrest, a woman of letters and concert performer. Size is 5 x 7.8 inches, 2 written pages, overall rust stains, in very good condition. B. Dated March 15, 1870, to Georgette Ducrest (1789 - 1882), about musical matters. Size is 5.2 x 7.8 inches, 3 written pages, some creases and folds at the top, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

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.

German composer (1894-1963), artistic director, and music writer. Autograph musical score signed and inscribed by him to the writer and musician Karla Höcker (1901-1992), dated 1946. Von Westerman writes 43 bars of his composition “Widmung” for high voice and piano.  Size is 9.7 x 12.2 inches, 4 pages, creases, overall rust tone, othewise in excellent condition.

American songwriter (1827-1902) who used several different pseudonyms. Rare autograph letter dated in 1883 by him, about music matters without his signature. At the end of the letter there is a note by the recipient clarifying that the letter was handed unsigned, 2 pages. Each page's size is 5.6 x 8.3 inches, bound together with archival tape, in excellent condition.

Italian composer (1876-1948) and teacher, best known for his comic operas. Autograph music quote with four bars from his opera "I Quattro Rusteghi" signed by him on an album page mounted on a slightly larger page. Total size is 6.25 x 4 inches, in very good condition.

German composer (1827-1863), who had a reputation as a pianist and saloon music composer. Printed score of his work "Four Musical Sketches for Piano" Op.52 signed and inscribed by him over the upper-right corner, printed in Leipzig, 1859.  Size is 10.7 x 13.6 inches, 9 pages plus soft covers, in overall very good condition. Very rare!

Italian composer (1883-1944), author of over a dozen operas and famous for his successful Francesca da Rimini (1914), still regularly performed.  Album page with an autograph music quote signed by the composer, with four bars from his opera "Conchita" (premiered in 1911), dated in Naples, 1913.   Size is 9.25 x 6.75 inches, small loss of paper over lower right and upper left corners, mounting traces on verso, in overall very good condition.

Italian composer (1883-1944), author of over a dozen operas and famous for his successful Francesca da Rimini (1914), still regularly performed.  Autograph music quote on a postcard with 3 bars from his opera "Francesca da Rimini", dated 1924, with an attached half-tone photograph of him over the left. Size is 5.3 x 3.5 inches, minor stains, in excellent condition.