Martinu, Bohuslav

comprising a separate autograph manuscript for four of the five movements, c.85 pages in all:

1) "Prelude" [first movement], scored for piccolo, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trombones, trumpets, drums, cymbals, solo violin and strings, notated in black ink mostly on a single 23-stave system per page, autograph title, signed ("B. Martinu Prelude"), with a number of additional autograph entries in pencil, the solo violin part bearing pencil revisions presumably in the hand of Samuel Dushkin, 24 pages plus title, folio (c.35 x 27cm), 24-stave paper, dated and signed at the end ("Paris 8. Fevrier 1939. B. Martinu"), edges frayed, a few small tears



2) "Meditation" [second movement], scored for flutes, oboes, clarinets, horns, bassoons, cymbals, violin solo and strings, notated in black ink on up to four systems per page, autograph title ("B. Martinu: Meditation"), the title-page containing autograph pencil annotations ("Faudra ["et" cancelled] fixer le mouvement...") and some autograph music, the score containing a number of corrections and revisions in pencil to the solo violin part, these and some other entries presumably in the hand of Samuel Dushkin, the verso of the final leaf containing sketches (by Dushkin?) in pencil, 6 pages plus title and one page of sketches, folio (c.40 x 28.5cm), 30-stave paper, signed and dated at the end ("B. Martinu Paris 15. / Janvier 1939"), edges frayed and torn, one tear to first leaf slightly affecting the score, outer leaves detached, splitting along hinge of central bifolium, a few small stains



3) "Intermezzo" [fourth movement], scored for flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, drums (including side drum), cymbals, triangle, solo violins and strings, notated in black ink on up to three staves of varying size per page, autograph title ("B. Martinu: Intermezzo...Paris Janvier 1939."), with a number of autograph additions in pencil, and also a large number of revisions in pencil to the solo violin part, presumably in the hand of Samuel Dushkin, 17 pages plus title, folio (c.40 x 29cm), 30-stave paper, dated and signed at the end ("18. Janvier 1939 B. Martinu [Paris,]), some edges frayed and torn, one bifolium splitting along hinge, some small stains; together with two leaves containing a page of pencil sketches inscribed "Intermezzo", and six bars in score of a revised ending for the finale, presumably by Samuel Dushkin, also in pencil, no place or date, some staining, edges frayed and torn



4) "Finale" [fifth movement], scored for piccolo, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, trombones, drums (including bass drum and side drum), cymbals, solo violin, piano and strings, notated in black ink on a single 28-stave system per page, autograph title-page ("..."Suite concertante" pour violon et orchestre...B. Martinu. Finale. V."), with a number of autograph entries in pencil, and a number of pencil revisions to the score, including to the solo violin part, presumably in the hand of Samuel Dushkin, the original ending erased and replaced with three and a half bars also presumably in Dushkin's hand, the verso of the title leaf containing music presumably in Dushkin's hand, the score signed again at the head of the first page of autograph music ("B. Martinu"), 36 pages, folio (39.8 x 28.6cm), mostly separate leaves, 30-stave "Lard Esnault BFK Rives" paper, no place or date [Paris, 1939], title leaf torn with loss of paper, edges frayed and stained in places  

Harry Halbreich, Bohuslav Martinu. Werkverzeichnis und Biographie (Mainz, 2007)

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 score of great complexity and interest, one of the most remarkable autograph scores of Martinu ever to be offered at auction.

The 'Suite concertante' for violin and orchestra has had a somewhat complicated genesis and performance history, existing as it does in two versions. Commissioned in 1938 by the violinist Samuel Dushkin (1891-1976), for whom Stravinsky had written his violin concerto (1931), and conceived as a set of Czech dances, it was first performed in an arrangement for piano and violin by Dushkin and the composer/pianist Erich Itor Kahn in New York Town Hall on 7 April 1943 (the full score was not performed until May 2000). Dushkin subsequently asked for the score to be revised, and received instead from the composer a new four-movement work. The earlier of these versions (H276 I) is represented by the present score, which dates from Paris, 1939. The third movement of this version of the work, Scherzo-Caprice, survives in the form of a 10-page draft, formerly in Moldenhauer archives in Spokane, USA. The later version of the suite (H276 II) was completed in New York at the beginning of 1945, and contains the movements Toccata, Aria, Scherzo and Rondo. The first movement of the present score is a shorter version of the Toccata of H276 II; the other movements of the present score are independent of H276 II. The present score is still unpublished; the later version (the autograph of which has disappeared) was published by Schott in 1955. Of especial interest in the present score is the extensive alteration and re-writing of the solo violin part, as well as numerous other revisions and entries, presumably in Dushkin's hand.