Martinu, Bohuslav

the autograph fair copy of the full score of the complete work in four movements, written in black ink on up to twenty-six staves per page, with the dedication at the head of the music, deleted notes cut out of the score by the composer on pages 6 and 72 (leaving holes)

102 pages, large folio (c.43 x 30cm), 26-stave paper by Circle Blue Print Co. Ltd of New York, the recto and verso leaves loose in 51 paper wrappers, New York and South Orleans, April-June 1945, small tears to margins (page 70) 



together with 1) autograph sketches for "Symphony N^o4", notated in black ink and pencil on up to twenty-four staves per page, 4 pages, folio (34.3 x 27.4cm), 24-stave paper by Schirmer of New York, folio; 2) two autograph correction leaves, written in black ink and orange crayon, large folio (also with reproductions), and 3) an autograph draft of the layout for the title-page dedication, written in black ink ("To Helene and Bill Ziegler/ Symphony No^o IV/ B. Martinu/ Dur: 30 mins"), 1 page, 4to (c.20 x 21cm), 1945, 



109 pages in all, in a wooden box, overall size: c.53 x 38.5cm

H. Halbreich, Bohuslav Martinu, Werkverzeichnis, Dokumentation und Biographie, (1968), no.305; see also the revised edition (2007), pp.238-239.

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."

Bohuslav Martinu is unquestionably the greatest Czech symphonist of the twentieth century, and the greatest and most popular Czech composer since Janacek. 

Martinu's Fourth Symphony is part of the international concert repertory and one of the composer's most lyrically appealing works. The ebullient Scherzo was often encored, and the third movement Largo is also particularly fine.   The work shows a close thematic interrelation between all the movements.  Brian Large writes that "as a whole the Fourth Symphony must rank among Martinu's most successful orchestral works".  He also regards it as coming closest to Dvorak (B. Large, Martinu, p.93).  The work was written at the home of Bill and Helen Ziegler at Noroton, Connecticut, and first performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra on 30 November 1945, conducted by Eugene Ormandy.   

The manuscript contains the following movements, each dated by the composer at the end
I. Poco moderato--Allegro in 6/8, pages 1-32, dated 17 April 1945;
II. [Scherzo], Allegro vivo in 6/8, pages 33-57, dated New York, 2 May 1945 
III. Largo in 3/4, pages 58-71, dated New York, 22 May 1945 
IV. Poco Allegro in 4/4, pages 72-102, dated 14 June 1945   

Included in this lot are some sketches for the Symphony and two correction leaves. The latter are of interest in that they include three bars for the pianoforte solo in the slow movement, which are omitted in the edition published by Boosey & Hawkes (1950).   We understand that a revised edition, prepared by Sharon Choa, which includes these missing bars, will be published next year as Volume II of the Bohuslav Martinu Complete Edition.