Schoenberg, Arnold

the short score of the opening six bars, notated in blue ink on three staves, with the instruments designated ("1. Geige; 2. Geige; 1. Bratsche; 2. Bratsche; 1. Vcl; 2. Vcl"), the music marked "Sehr langsam" and "immer leise", and inscribed above the music with a long dedication ("To the collection of Mr Lionel A. Aucoin from Verklärte Nacht (Gedicht von Richard Dehmel [aus "Weib und Welt"], für sechs Streich Instrumente von Arnold Schoenberg, opus 4"

1 page, c.9.5 x 23cm, 3-stave paper, cut from a larger sheet, no place or date, [probably 1940s]

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 string sextet, composed in 1899, is one of Schoenberg's most accessible works.  With its rich chromatic harmony and the explicitly sexual nature of Dehmel's poem, it encapsulates the late Romantic sound world in a chamber-music idiom, but was controversial at the time.  This quotation refers to the original version for solo strings; in 1917 Schoenberg made an arrangement of the sextet for string orchestra.