Lot 202
  • 202

Liszt, Franz

Estimate
8,000 - 10,000 GBP
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Description

  • Liszt, Franz
  • Extensively revised scribal manuscript of Liszt's piano transcription of J.S. Bach's organ Fantasie (Praeludium) in G minor BWV 542, signed and dated ("F. Liszt Weymar 54"), with many autograph annotations and remarks throughout, addressed to Hans von Bülow
  • paper
here titled "Praeludium von Bach" and notated for piano in brown and red ink by the scribe, on up to fourteen staves per page, the final cadence rewritten by the composer in blue crayon, and all the tempo, dynamic, fingering and pedal markings, in ink and orange crayon, a few alterations by scratching out; Liszt has added extensive and amusing annotations throughout the manuscript, specifically for Hans von Bülow: "langlokige Perrüken Triller", "stark und jede Achtel markirt--schulmeisternd!", "mit Galgenhumor", "katzenjämmerlich", "boshaft", "mit verdammter Zärtlichkeit", "con 8taven mit allen Donnerwettern!",  and finally the explanatory remark "nüancirungen für H. von Bülow exclusiv",

3 pages, folio (c.34 x 26cm), 20-stave paper,  Weimar, 1854, small tears and extensive creasing to the leading edges, one tear slightly affecting the music, but without loss

Literature

Raabe 120; LWV A244 (TNG); S. 463.

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 remarkable and characterful manuscript by Liszt appears to be unrecorded in the literature.  Liszt's "Fantasie (Praeludium) und Fuge von JS Bach" is generally dated to the 1860s, but this manuscript of the Praeludium is signed and dated 1854 by Liszt at the end.  Liszt's transcriptions were published together by Trautwein of Berlin in 1863 as J. Seb. Bachs Orgel-Fantasie u. Fuge in G moll für die grosse Clavierschule von Lebert und Stark / bearbeitet von Franz Liszt, and then by Cotta of Stuttgart in 1868.

The "Praeludium von Bach" appears to have been transcribed separately from, and about a decade earlier, than the fugue, and perhaps expressly for his pupil and future son-in-law, Hans von Bülow (1830-1894).  Liszt reveals the closeness between master pupil, referring to their "gallows humour", his school-masterly character and meanness, and calls for for one of Bülow's exquisite trills resembling a long wig.  Bülow became one of the leading pianists in Germany and, in 1857, married Liszt's daughter Cosima, whom he was later to lose to Wagner.  Whilst Kapellmeister in Munich from 1855 to 1869, he conducted the premieres of Tristan und Isolde and Die Meistersinger.  J.S. Bach's Fantasie (Präludium) dates from c.1720 and was first published in 1833, edited by A.B. Marx.

For a 10-page completely autograph manuscript by Liszt, please see lot 252.