Lot 42
  • 42

Mahler, Gustav

Estimate
40,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description

  • Mahler, Gustav
  • Autograph sketchleaf for the Second Symphony
  • ink on paper
comprising part of the first movement, ALMOST CERTAINLY THE ORIGINAL VERSION ("TODTENFEIER"), notated in pencil and black ink, in short score, with many reworkings, alterations and deletions, containing material from the E-flat minor section of the development, an early version of material eventually used between bars 262 and 303, the climax of the passage before the recapitulation, comprising 34 bars, with many melodic and contrapuntal differences from the final version,

1 page, with three bars on a second page, folio (c.31.5 x 25cm), [1888], 24-stave paper, overall browning, a few minor tears and chipping to margins

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

A SKETCH-LEAF FOR "TODTENFEIER", THE EARLY VERSION OF THE FIRST MOVEMENT OF MAHLER'S SECOND SYMPHONY. 

Mahler composed the first draft of this movement in 1888 as the opening of a symphony in C minor, but then decided to present it as Todtenfeier (1891), a work in one movement; a fair copy of this movement (sold in these rooms on 28 November 1986, lot 575) has the title "Symphonie in C-moll") deleted and replaced by "Todtenfeier". Only in 1894 did Mahler return to his original conception and complete the work, using this as the first movement of his Second Symphony. The present sketch-leaf evidently derives from Mahler's earliest conception of the work. His usual procedure was to jot down and elaborate preliminary ideas on two, three or four staves, later joining these up in order to form a continuous draft of a movement. This sketch comprises largely early contrapuntal drafts that are still some way from their definitive versions. At the bass-line (bar 262 in the final version), Mahler originally worked on incorporating the passage in triplets from the main thematic material of the movement (cf bar 7) as the counter subject. Other sketches for this movement survive in libraries in Vienna and Jerusalem.