Janáček, Leoš .

"Z mluvy mé milé hostitelky paní Kamily [musical quotation: 'neco malického napiste']. Na toto dílo mela, na jeho melodie mela nejvetsi vliv!--Mohlo by se ríci Káta-Kamila. Drph. Leoš Janáček, Písek, 24 [March] 1928"  [translation]: In the words of my dear hostess Kamila 'write a little something'. She exerted  the greatest influence on the work and its melodies!--one could say Káta-Kamila..."), on the verso of the title



first edition, 165 pages, 4to, (29.8 x 22.5cms), illustrated front wrapper showing Káta, printed in brown and black bound in, text in Czech and German, contemporary half calf, gilt title to spine



 

See notes to Lot 56.  These volume were collected with the help of Janáček's beloved Kamila Stösslová, and inscribed by the composer when he visited her in Písek on 23-24 March 1928: see her letter to him of 5 March (Intimate letters, Leoš Janáček to Kamila Stösslová, edited by John Tyrrell, 2005, p. 220).   The composer evidently had Kamila in mind as much as Professor Novák.  Sotheby's is grateful to John Tyrrell for his assistance with the cataloguing of these lots.

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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 remarkable autograph inscription by the composer, making explicit his identification of the heroine of the opera with his beloved Kamila Stösslová.   The phrase "neco malického napiste" does not appear in the opera itself, but probably derives instead from examples of the speech patterns that Janáček habitually jotted down throughout his career.  Similar phrases appear in an album (effectively an amorous diary) that he and Kamila Stösslová kept together from October 1927 until August 1928, which recorded speech patterns attributed to Kamila herself; See Janáček, Album for Kamila Stösslova, edited by J. Procházkova, translated by J. Tyrrell (1996); see also the following lot.