Schnittke, Alfred.

a working manuscript draft, notated in pencil and black ink on systems of varying length (mostly four-stave), with autograph superscription ("...Epilog "Peer Gynt"..."), extending from the entry of the cello in the bar before rehearsal number 4 to four bars after the repositioned rehearsal number 54, with a number of deletions and corrections, the rehearsal numbers 16-54 also being cancelled and their new positions indicated by autograph boxes, 471 bars in all, 4 pages, large folio (c.42.5 x 30cm), 32-stave paper ("Star Nr. 37"), no place or date [Hamburg, February 1993], some very light creasing

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.
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This is a composing manuscript of one of Schnittke's most expressive chamber works, written for the great Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.

The Epilogue arranges music from the concluding part of Schnittke's ballet score Peer Gynt (1986); accompanied by wordless choral voices on tape, it is a transcendental cello concerto in all but name, 'full of expressive contrasts in the solo part and orchestral colours in the piano, ending with an ecstatic heavenward spiral' (Andrew Clark). Indeed, few of Schnittke's mature works can match it for impact. The present manuscript contains around three quarters of the complete arrangement (the published score contains 613 bars and ends with rehearsal no. 71), although of itself should not be regarded as incomplete. When it came to the preparation of a fair copy manuscript, for the music before the entry of the cello, and for the closing section, the stroke-weakened composer was able to make labour-saving verbatim use of his Peer Gynt ballet draft score (see lot 159): only the section containing the cello part required drafting since this part had to be constructed from the original orchestral fabric. This intimate chamber version of the ballet's Epilogue was first performed by Rostropovich, with Irina Schnittke (piano), on 20 May 1993 in Evian. An edition was published by Sikorski in 2003.