Search Results: Music from Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts, ABAA

This Swiss-born pianist and conductor was a mainstat at the Chicago Musical College (1900-54) and led the St. Louis Symphony (1921-27) and the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts (1938-49); he composed a symphony, piano pieces and more than 200 songs. AMuQS, 1p, heavy stock 3½" X 2½" card, n.p., February 1906. Near fine. Mounting traces on verso. On a 3¼" X 3/4" slip tipped to the center of this heavy stock card, Ganz boldly pens three full measures of music, identifying it above as "from 'Lake Cycle' op. 9 (Proem)" and adding a line of lyrics below ("Comes a song o'er the deep to the land"). Near the top of the heavy card, he writes, "To Miss Marianna Neumann / with best wishes," and near the bottom of the card he boldly signs and dates it. Very attractive and early.

Prolific music writer, author of "Civilization and Music" and "Musical Novels" and editor of "Musical Gazette." ALS, 1p, 5" X 8", New York, NY, 1864 December 16. Addressed to J.P. Snell. Very good. Minor binding traces along left edge. Gracious attempt to help an early collector of music autographs: "I will see what I can do for you with regard to the matter you mention; but you must give me time and have patience...." Adds a postscript: "I just came across with one of [Charles] Grobe's letters, which I enclose.

This Russian pianist is best remembered for his Frederic Chopin interpretations and for giving the premiere performance of Alexander Glazunov's first piano concerto in 1912; he gave concert tours extensively beginning in the 1920s and eventually became a British citizen. ALS, 2pp (lettersheet), 7" X 5¼", Paris, France, 16 December 1928. Addressed to Mrs. Neuer. Very good. Faint age toning and original folds (none weakened). On "Hotel Majestic" letterhead, Orloff pens a friend in his large, spindly script and broken English. In part: "I was very touched indeed with your telegramm to Wigwam Hall.... I was very interested to hear about Judson-Wolfsohn amalgamation! I come with Alan -- who helps me very good in my tour in all country!" (Arthur Judson, 1881-1975, was an influential music manager and head of what became Columbia Artists Management, famed for combining a number of independent managers such as the Wolfsohn Music Bureau into his "Judson Empire.") Interestingly, George Gershwin composed "An… Read More

This legendary R & B tenor hit the charts in the mid-50s with the Drifters and such hits as "Money Honey," "Such a Night" and "Honey Love" before going solo. Two items: First, an AQS, 1p, irregularly-trimmed (roughly rectangular) 8" X 4½", n.p., n.d. [January 1958]. Very good. Yellowed tape stain at each corner and two more small tape stains along right edge, touching slightly upon a couple of words. Curious free verse poem or song lyrics -- whether to one of McPhatter's published songs is uncertain. "I want to walk in the shadow of your arms," it begins. "I want to live by the touch of your lips. I want to be in the River with you, while the sea's calm, I want to live and love I don't want to miss. I want to live with a love that's divine, I want to be with you and give you all my love. I want to say that you are mine. I want to ask faith from the one above." Boldly signed at the conclusion. An unheard-of McPhatter rarity, quite intriguing and exceedingly scarce -- and worthy of further research.… Read More

Noted French classical pianist who collaborated with Maurice Ravel and toured extensively. ALS in French, 1p, 7¼" X 10½", San Francisco, CA, 1944 May 13. Addressed to Irving Schwerke (1893-1975), American pianist and music critic. Fine. On letterhead of "The Clift" hotel, Casadesus chats with a friend. In part: "Your letter followed me all the way to California. I accept with great pleasure your charming invitation.... I play April 18 in Omaha (Nebraska) and I don't know yet when I will get to Appleton. Probably the 20th, day of the concert...." With original matching envelope, addressed in Casadesus's hand. A superb vintage example.

This American violinist and conductor led Chicago's Spiering Quartette, founded the Spiering Violin School and directed the Chicago Musical College; in 1911 he was appointed concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Society under Gustav Mahler, whom he briefly replaced. AMuQS, heavy stock 3½" X 2½" card, Chicago, May 1900. Very good. Mild age toning; faint mounting trace at each corner. Spiering apparently was asked by an admirer for a snippet from an original composition, for at the center of this heavy card he has affixed a 3" X 1½" slip bearing two small, neatly penned measures from a composition identified as "Scherzo, Op. 2" above, with place and date penned just below. Below this slip, Spiering signs large and bold. Very unusual.

This British composer and pianist accompanied many famed musicians of the day -- singers Enrico Caruso, Titta Ruffo, Richard Tauber, John McCormack, Beniamino Gigli and violinists Fritz Kreisler and Mischa Elman -- and as a composer his main claim to fame is the sacred song "Ave Maria." AMuQS, 1p, 5" X 3" (irregular top edge), n.p., 20 November 1958. Very good. On pale blue stock, Kahn writes out three music measures of notes and words, identifying it as "Ave Maria" at top and at bottom writes, "To Mr. C.D. Paramey, with all good / wishes from / Percy B. Kahn / Nov:20th 58." He also initials it in upper right corner. A lovely older age example of the composer's best-known piece.

This French composer created operas noted for their realism ("Kerim," " Messidor," " Angelo," etc.), ballets, symphonies and more; he was also a prolific music critic for many periodicals. ANS in French, 1p, 4¼" X 5¼", Paris, France, 1924 June 29. Addressed to "My dear comrade" (in French) -- probably American expatriate pianist and music critic Irving Schwerke (1893-1975). Fine. Returns a photograph [not present] and thanks his correspondent for a journal sent to him.

French composer and chapel master of Dijon Cathedral. ALS in French, 2pp, 5¼" X 8¼", n.p. [Dijon, France], 1949 June 12. Addressed to Chicago pianist John Leiser. Near fine. Excellent music content in which Samson discusses (in his tiny, neat script) success, lists early sacred music his choir is recording, and comments on the suffering left behind by the war. With original stamped envelope, addressed in Samson's hand. A great example and exceptionally early.

French opera composer. Brief ALS in French, 1p, 6" X 4½", n.p. [Paris, France], 1921 June 17. Addressed to A. Dandeld. Very good. Writing on an aerogramme, Georges asks about a Sonia Herma as a possible singer for three fall concerts; complains about the difficulty of finding good singers.

Italian composer, director of the Turin Conservatory (1940-66), studied under composer Giacomo Orefice and composed operas in the post-Romantic ("verismo" or realistic) tradition that include his popular "Monte Ivnor" as well as "Morte di Frine," "In Terra di Leggenda" and "Il Dibuk." ALS in Italian, 2pp, heavy stock 5½" X 4¼" card, Torino, Italy, 192[9?] [February?] 8. Near fine. On a black-bordered "Corso Valentino" correspondence card.

The uncle of famed financier Howard Hughes was a popular music writer ("American Composers," "The Music Lovers' Encyclopedia," etc.) who also authored novels, poetry and more. ALS, 1p, 5½" X 7", New York, NY, 1927 February 4. Fine. On Hotel Elysee letterhead, Hughes thanks an admirer "for your flattering interest" and promises to sign and return a book. A bold, handsome example, accompanied by the original envelope, which is addressed in Hughes' hand and also signed. Comes with a 5" X 7" book portrait.

This French composer created operas noted for their realism ("Kerim," " Messidor," " Angelo," etc.), ballets, symphonies and more; he was also a prolific music critic for many periodicals. ANS in French, 1p, 3 3/4" X 4 3/4", Paris, France, 1924 March 17. Addressed to American expatriate pianist and music critic Irving Schwerke (1893-1975). Fine. Gracious dinner invitation. With original envelope, addressed by Bruneau.

This Pennsylvanian musician about whom little is known became one of the most prolific song writers and music publishers of his day; among the one thousand songs he supposedly composed are many hymns such as "Great Joy!" and the Mormon classic "Our King" as well as numerous school and church choir collections. ALS, 6pp, 8½" X 11", Chicago, IL, 2 February 1920. Addressed to "My dear Miss Dashiell." Good plus. Age toned and lightly soiled, with small edge separations at folds. On "Office of Alfred Beirly Music Co." decorative letterhead, Beirly notes "I would very much like to hear your Robert E Lee oration, feeling sure you will do the note Gen. full justice" -- then proceeds to lecture at length and in detail about Lee's superiority, going so far as to proclaim "Gen. Lee would have been Pres. of the U.S. had he not joined the Confederate Cause." He also praises Jackson to the skies and enumerates his many victories, concluding that Lee wouldn't have gotten far without him. Finally, he lampoons the… Read More

This German pianist and opera composer served as court pianist at Weimar; his compositions include the verismo-style opera "Tiefland" (1903) and "Die toten Augen" (1916), as well as a symphony, piano concertos and string quartets. AQS, irregular 6½" X 3½", Bremen, Germany, 1895 January 8. Good only. Cut in an irregular shape, with some age spots; heavy mounting traces on verso. Large and bold signature near upper left, and below this a quite small place and date; to right of this is an unattributed quotation in German: "Die Menschen sind alle dem Bosen ergeben; wohl Dem, der den Kampf besteht." Interesting despite flaw.

This American composer favored the classical style, but with an American twist; his four operas include "The Pipe of Desire," remembered as the first American composition performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, but his best known work is his "Leaves of Grass" inspired symphonic poem "The Mystic Trumpeter" (1904). ANS, 1p, 7¼" X 10½", Westwood, MA, 10 November 1938. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar). Near fine. Two faint horizontal folds. On his imprinted personal letterhead, Converse pens in his large, handsome script a grateful appreciation to an admirer: "Your appreciation of my music gives me great satisfaction and encouragement. Many thanks for your kindness....

French composer and conductor. ALS in French, 1p, 4½" X 6¼", Paris, France, 1922 February 24. Addressed to "Mon cher Franz." Near fine. Nice music content: "You must direct the Colonne concert from the 19th of March and give the first scene of the third act of Parsifal. Can I count on your cooperation? Delmas has accepted singing Gurnemary. Naturally, he read it without understanding it. I am waiting for a good yes..." Most attractive.

This major Norwegian soprano debuted in 1907 at the National Theatre, but it was at La Scala in 1924 under Toscanini that her career took off, making her a favorite at the Paris Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. ANS, 2pp, heavy stock 5½" X 3 3/4", Paris, France, 1929 December 13. Addressed to "My dear" (American expatriate pianist and music critic Irving Schwerke, 1893-1975). Fine. On her embossed "Plaza Athenee" correspondence card, the diva tells Schwerke that "I hope you are able to hear us all on sunday Brownlee, Sullivan, B[?] -- and I -- Must see you one day soon -- Brussel was a great triumph...." Signed simply "Norena." A handsome example from the height of her fame.

This German conductor and composer of folk music solos and vocal pieces enjoyed enormous popularity throughout Europe in the mid-19th century. ALS in German, 1p, 5" X 8", Braunschweig, Germany, 1862 January 22. Near fine. Though boldly penned and attractive, Abt's miniscule and stylized script makes translation difficult -- appears to be discussing his schedule and travel to Leipzig, Bremen and other German locations. Accompanied by a handsome and striking 8½" X 11" book illustration portrait, a head-and-shoulders artist's rendering of Abt later in life.

This Brahms champion was an Austrian conductor; in the U.S., he led the Boston Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and Pittsburgh Symphony. AMuQS, 1p, heavy stock 3½" X 2½" card, New York, 1898. Very good. Mild age toning; faint mounting trace at corners. Paul pens one measure of music large and bold in brown ink, adding "Allegro Beeth." above and "To Miss Neumann / New York EPaur / 98" below.