- 127
# - Tippett, Sir Michael.
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
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Description
- Five autograph letters signed ("Michael", "Michael T." and "Michael Tippett"), to Grace Edwards, about his compositions, including "A Child of our Time", pacificism and impending imprisonment
discussing the preparations for his legal hearing ("...I shall have a Quaker lawyer to state my case, which is a tolerably good one..."), his feelings of depression, caused by his impending incarceration and by administrative work which takes him away from composition, planning and arranging concerts ("...I suggested that we really do our joint concert (as at Tooting last spring) in Tolworth & and add these to the five spirituals..."), some of which he fears will be a failure, observing that he was right to omit new works from a concert ("...I did not realise how unusual-sounding music I was expecting the choir to sing, & that added to the war time difficulty of men's voices..."), admitting that it is certainly much better when someone else conducts his works, mentioning the broadcast of his Fantasia on a Theme of Handel and the Double Concerto for Strings, and a visit to Freddy May in Wormwood Scrubs, noting that he expects to be there soon himself
12 pages, various sizes, Oxted, no date, [c.1942-1943]
12 pages, various sizes, Oxted, no date, [c.1942-1943]
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."
"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
Following the hearing of his case as a conscientious objector in 1942, Tippett was sentenced in June 1943 to three months' imprisonment. This remarkable sequence of letters provides a vivid glimpse into the private and public world of the composer, all set against the backdrop of war. His great landmark oratorio A Child of our Time (1939-1941) was first performed at the Royal Adelphi Theatre in London on 19 March 1944.