L11406

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Lot 115
  • 115

Clarke, Rebecca, British composer and viola player (1886-1979).

Estimate
2,000 - 2,500 GBP
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Description

  • Two autograph musical manuscripts, signed ("Rebecca Clarke"), being of
  • paper and ink
1) Midsummer Moon for violin and piano, a composing manuscript, notated in black ink on up to three three-stave systems per page, with autograph title-page ("To Adila Fachiri Midsummer Moon for violin & piano by Rebecca Clarke"), additional fingerings and other markings in pencil to each part, and a number of deletions, erasures and corrections, one four-bar revision written on a large strip of music paper and affixed to the score, 14 pages, folio (35 x 26cm), 12-stave paper, no place or date, [1924?], outer leaves detached, gatherings strengthened, staining and a few small tears to title, small tears with loss to lower corners of final page
2) Chinese Puzzle for violin and piano, the Stichvorlage, marked up by and for the printer, notated in black ink on four three-stave systems per page, with autograph title-page ("Chinese Puzzle (adapted from an old Chinese tune) Rebecca Clarke"), signed on the title and at the head of the music, 2 pages, folio (c.34 x 27cm), 12-stave paper, some added pencil fingering to piano part, no place, November 1921, splitting along horizontal and vertical folds, fraying at edges, some slight browning and staining 

Literature

TNG, v (Liane Curtis), pp. 919-921; A Rebecca Clarke Reader, ed. Liane Curtis (Bloomington and Indianapolis, 2004)

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

This is a rare opportunity to acquire two autograph manuscripts by the British-born composer and viola player Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979). The two works date from slightly after the two compositions  that made her famous, the Viola Sonata (1919) and Piano Trio (1921), both runners up in competitions of the Berkshire (Mass.) Festival of Chamber Music. After a number of years in America, Clarke settled in London in 1924, where she was active as a soloist and ensemble musician, including with the violinist Adila Fachiri (1886-1962), to whom Midsummer Moon is dedicated. This piece was published in 1926, Chinese Puzzle the year before. The Second World War saw her again in the USA, where she married James Friskin of the Juilliard School in 1944, by this time having already more or less ceased composing.