German, Sir Edward

Over 250 pages in all, mostly folio, notated mostly in black ink, some entries in pencil and red ink, modern cloth folder, some leaves detached, some dust-staining and a few stains, fraying and small tears to edges, including autograph manuscripts of:

1) The Two Poets. Collection of autograph material, comprising: piano primo part for the Overture, initialled by the composer ("J:E:G:"), 8 pages; the opening duet of Act I, in vocal score, no place or date [before July 1886] 10 pages; three fragmentary vocal-score manuscripts and a title-page for the part of Jeanne, 10 pages, plus blanks



2) Autograph manuscripts of three songs for voice and piano: "Fine Feathers", 2 slightly differing scores, signed ("J:E:German"), some additional entries in pencil and crayon, one of the copies dated 6 October 1884, 14 pages in all; "Fancy Free", the Stichvorlage, marked up by and for the printer, signed on the title ("J:Edward German"), [1887?], 9 pages; "Story of a Christmas Tree" [published as "Little Sweethearts"], signed on the title ("J:Edward German"), no place or date [1888?] 6 pages; together with a fragment of a fourth song, "A Wayside Story", signed on the title ("J:Edward German"), no place or date [c.1889], 'untraced' according to TNG, 2 pages



3) Symphony No.1 in E minor. Collection of autograph and scribal material, comprising: autograph piano reduction of the second movement and the beginning of the Scherzo, initialled at the head by the composer ("J:E:G:"), no place or date [1887?], 6 pages; parts for violin I, violin II and bass trombone, mostly in various scribal hands, the finale of the trombone part autograph, and signed by the composer ("J:Edward German"), with some other autograph entries, no place or date [1887?], c.77 pages in all



4) Autograph manuscripts of piano music, comprising: Duetts for Pianoforte No.1, the secondo and primo parts on opposite pages, initialled on the title ("J:E:G:"), written in pencil and then inked over, unidentified autograph (?) pencil sketches to the originally blank last page, no place or date [c.1890], 21 pages, old repair to title, title-leaf detached; Duetts for Pianoforte No.2, the secondo and primo parts on opposite pages, initialled on the title ("J:E:G:"), in ink and pencil, some additional entries in mauve crayon, some autograph pencil sketches on the originally blank last page, no place or date [c.1890], 17 pages; and an autograph title-leaf, signed ("N^o 1 "Larghetto Maestoso" and "Allegro Spiritoso" from Pianoforte Sonata in G Major by J:E:German:")



5) Autograph sketch for a cadenza for the rondo from Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D, Op.61, initialled by the composer ("JEG"), 1 page, no place or date; with: an unidentified autograph pencil musical notation on the originally blank last side of the bifolium containing the cadenza sketch; and a separate leaf containing two unidentified autograph pencil sketches and one other presumably autograph musical notation in ink (apparently part of the song "The Little Tin Soldier" by J.L. Molloy) 



together with: a collection of scribal bassoon and clarinet parts for German's incidental music to Richard III, over 70 pages; and two copies of the Royal Academy of Music Prize List for July 1886, naming German as the recipient of a Certificate of Merit for harmony



This is the most important collection of autograph music by German to have been offered at auction in recent years.



Sir Edward German (1862-1936) was one of the most popular English composers of his generation, widely regarded as Sullivan's heir in the fields of operetta and light music. This collection of manuscripts is substantially unpublished and dates largely from German's student days at the Royal Academy of Music, which the composer attended between 1880 and 1887. One of the chief highlights is the autograph material relating to his first operetta, The Two Poets (first performed at the Royal Academy of Music, July 1886; revised as The Rival Poets, 1901), music which bears little relation to the music of the revised, published version of 1901. Possibly also dating from German's student days is a sketch for a cadenza for Beethoven's Violin Concerto, Op. 61 (the composer had started at the Academy by studying the organ, soon changing, however, to the violin). Dating from German's time at the Globe Theatre - where he became Musical Director in 1888 - are the scribal parts for the incidental music for Richard III, music which introduced the composer's name to a wider public. 



 

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 the most important collection of autograph music by German to have been offered at auction in recent years.