Rachmaninov, Sergei.

Rachmaninov discusses the organization of concerts and travel arrangements, and asks Mandrovsky to send letters to publishers and agents, including Charles Foley and others, demands a score of the Symphonic Dances Op. 45 (which he needs to show a conductor), the copyright payments made to him by ASCAP, and his refusal to write reviews of music sent to him by Pressler, reports playing at the Hollywood Stadium, and buying a modest house in Beverly Hills, complains about suffering from lumbago, orders large quantities of cigarettes (advising Mandrovsky to smoke less himself), and informs him of changes to schedules; together with some fine portrait photographs, photographs of his house and others, and Rachmaninov's leather briefcase and wallet (containing one of the last photographs of the composer), around 170 items in all, 4to and 8vo, printed stationery (21141 Tower Road, Beverly Hills", "the Garden of Allah" in Hollywood etc.), one autograph envelope, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Chicago, where stated, Rachmaninov's letters October 1939 to August 1942

The archive was given to the pianist Ruth Laredo in 1990 by Donna Lura Fink, who received them from the musicologist Soren Lura in the 1950s.

"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."

Nikolai Mandrovsky was Rachmaninov's private secretary from 1939 until the composer's death in 1943. His papers from and about Rachmaninov document the remarkable energy and tireless commitment of  the composer's last years, when he continued his career as a touring virtuoso pianist all over America, well into his seventieth year. Indeed, in one letter he admits that he caused himself grief by bringing on lumbago: he can hardly move and his posture reminds him of a "comma", but he can hardly complain since he should not take bread away from young pianists and go where, at his age, he should not go.

The main subject of the letters and all the other papers is Rachmaninov's concert schedules: there are some twenty-eight typescript (or manuscript) programmes and itineraries for these.  Rachmaninov frequently asks for changes, confiding that he does not want to deal with Charles Foley himself, nevertheless asking Mandrovsky to arrange meetings to discuss contracts with him, requesting passports, enclosing signed cheques and letters to his bankers.  Rachmaninov repeatedly displays his concern for others, asking Mandrovsky to send money for Bulgarian children in Russia, and expressing concern for Mandrovsky's own health, telling him to visit the doctor, and assuring him that he will cover all his medical fees. 

Mandrovsky's papers include hand-written and typed concert schedules, annotated draft programmes (c. 30 pages), typed itinerary sheets for 1940-1943 (15 pages), a "Route Book" plotting Rachmaninov's travels from 14 October 1941 until 22 February 1942, printed programmes, accounts, letters from lawyers, address lists, photographs of Rachmaninov, and press cuttings of obituaries.  There are retained copies of letters that Mandrovsky wrote and sent on Rachmaninov's behalf to Marian Anderson, Douglas Moore, Edward Johnson of the Metropolitan Opera House, Foley, the Tolstoy Foundation, and others, The letters received by Mandrovsky are from Adamov Khavskii, William Feinberg, Marks Levine, Nikitina, RCA, the NBC, with telegrams from Sofia Satina and Foley.  The letters are mainly about plans for concert appearances, but also include one about Rachmaninov's sugar ration book.

We are most grateful to Dr David Cannata for his assistance in our cataloguing of this lot.