Schnittke, Alfred.

a composing short-score manuscript for the complete work, notated in pencil on systems of varying length (most of two or three staves), with autograph heading ("Sinfonisches Vorspiel") in pencil and autograph inscription and signature in black ink ("für Jürgen Köchel [the composer's friend and editor] 25.05.94 A. Schnittke") on the first page, with the bars on each system numbered separately by the composer and each bar also provided by him with a number in centimetres indicating the space to be allowed for the width of each bar in the fair-copy autograph, together with extensive autograph indications of scoring, and containing a number of cancellations, erasures and corrections, 4 pages, large folio (c. 42 x 30cm), a few small creases, no place [Hamburg], the score dated 25 May 1994; together with a copy of the first edition of the score (Hamburg: Edition Sikorski, 1995)

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."

This is a working manuscript of a major orchestral work by Schnittke.

Scored for a characteristically large orchestra, namely triple wind, four horns, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani (three performers), harp, piano and strings (12, 12, 10, 8 and 6), the work was dedicated to the conductor Gerd Albrecht, who gave the work's first performance with the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester in the Hamburg Musikhalle on 6 November 1994. Unfortunately, Schnittke was unable to attend this performance, designed as a tribute to the composer on his 60th birthday (24 November), as he had suffered two further strokes earlier in June. The work is related musically to Schnittke's "Hommage à Grieg" (1992), which is itself an arrangement of the prelude to Act II of his ballet Peer Gynt (see lot 159), based on a Grieg-like melody actually of Schnittke's own invention.