Saint-Saëns, Camille

a largely continuous draft in black ink of the central part of the work principally in 5/4 time and the start of the Allegro Vivace in E minor, the short score notated in systems of up to five staves each, up to twenty-two staves per page, with some indications of orchestration, diverging considerably from the final version, with many deletions, alterations and revisions, comprising 139 bars in all

4 pages, folio (c.35 x 26cm), no place or date [c.1904], together with an autograph note on card, signed by the composer, and a carte-de-visite photograph of him, by Truchelut & Volkmann of Paris, with the label of E. Ziégler of Paris (c.1880); modern green folder, gilt titles, black-gilt label to spine, light browning, small tear at margins

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 a striking concertante work for violin, using folk idioms and modal scales, reflecting the composer's interest in national and exotic music. Pages 1-3 contain an early composing draft of the central section in compound quintuple meter, where the violin is instructed to play freely, each bar being accompanied by five bars in the orchestra of strict 3/8.  This notation is reflected in the final published version, but there are many deletions and revisions (see Figures 12-16). Saint-Saëns has left some empty bar-lines in his continuity draft of the ensuing 3/8 section, before launching into the Allegro Vivace (half-way between figures 17 and 18).