Sibelius, Jean.

here titled "Fantasistuck (cello, piano)", the score written in blue and black inks on four systems per page, each of three staves, a working manuscript with extensive deletions, alterations and revisions, including one written on a large piece of paper pasted into the score, comprising ninety-five bars in all, including deletions



14 pages, folio (c.35.5 x 27cms), paginated by the composer in blue ink, 12-stave paper (B & H Nr.22.C), 3 blank leaves, together with two letters about the manuscript by Jussi Jalas, and other matter, no place or date [between 1900 and 1902], a few stains and ink smudges

F. Dahlström, Jean Sibelius: Thematisch-bibliographisches Verzeichnis seiner Werke (Wiesbaden, 2003), p.81

Autograph manuscripts of complete works by Sibelius are rare at auction.

This is a highly attractive and often spectacular manuscript of Sibelius's only important work for the cello. Apart from some sketches at Helsinki University, there is no other autograph source for it.  The piece was not published until 1911, when some alterations were evidently made.  The version in this manuscript is slightly longer than that in the edition, which is 87 bars.

Sibelius composed this piece for Sigrid and Georg Schéevoigt (cello), who gave the first performance at Helsinki University on 12 March 1900,  under the title "Fantasia".