- 182
Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai
- Autograph musical quotation from the opera "Snegurochka" ("The Snow Maiden"), the celebrated choral hymn in 11/4 metre, inscribed to his biographer Vassily Yastrebtsev
- PAPER
signed and inscribed "...Snegurochka (Final)...[N.] Rimsky Korsakov, to Vassily Vassilyevich Yastrebtsev...[6th] March 1899"), the choral hymn to the sun-god Yarilo ("Svyet i sila, bog' Yarilo" ["Light & strength, o God Yarilo"]), in Act 4, comprising three bars notated for chorus on two staves, marked "maestoso"
1 page, on card c.8 x 15.5cm (c.3" by 6"), [St Petersburg, 6th] March 1899, overall browning and damp-staining affecting the text, including the signature, the music and title clear, vertical tear professionally repaired
1 page, on card c.8 x 15.5cm (c.3" by 6"), [St Petersburg, 6th] March 1899, overall browning and damp-staining affecting the text, including the signature, the music and title clear, vertical tear professionally repaired
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
RARE: This quotation contains a celebrated passage from one of Rimsky-Korsakov's epic four-act operas, written in a most unusual but characteristic rhythm (11 beats to the bar). It is a solemn choral hymn, inspired by Russian folk-music and metres, which comes several times during the final ensemble: this is the version in octaves sung by the folk-chorus. The dedicatee Vassily Yastrebtsev (1866-1934) acquired the quotation as a result of a long discussion about this passage during celebrations for the composer's fifty-fifth birthday. In his Reminiscences of N.A. Rimsky Korsakov (1917, & 1960), he records receiving from the composer "a souvenir of this line in the form of a very carefully-written copy on an autograph card". Rimsky-Korsakov considered The Snow Maiden to be his finest work.