- 18
Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Felix
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Felix
- Autograph manuscript of the Scherzo in E minor for piano, Op.16 no.2, initialled at the end by the composer ("FMB"), DIVERGING IN SOME PLACES FROM THE FIRST EDITION
- paper
A fair-copy manuscript, notated in brown ink on up to eight two-stave systems per page, with autograph title ("Scherzo"), dated and signed at the end ("Berlin d. 22.sten Febr. 1830 FMB, a few erasures
2 pages, plus two blanks, 4to (31.3 x 23cm), 16-stave paper, modern quarter morocco, modern folder, Berlin, 22 February 1830, hinge strengthened, light browning, a few small stains, staining to outer blank pages, tiny hole to upper outer corner of second leaf
together with: 3 Fantaisies ou Caprices pour le Pianoforte...Oeuvre 16. Vienna: Mechetti, no date, 11 pages, folio (34 x 26cm), plate number Pietro Mechetti N.o 2135, engraved music, modern wrappers, foxing, a few small tears repaired
2 pages, plus two blanks, 4to (31.3 x 23cm), 16-stave paper, modern quarter morocco, modern folder, Berlin, 22 February 1830, hinge strengthened, light browning, a few small stains, staining to outer blank pages, tiny hole to upper outer corner of second leaf
together with: 3 Fantaisies ou Caprices pour le Pianoforte...Oeuvre 16. Vienna: Mechetti, no date, 11 pages, folio (34 x 26cm), plate number Pietro Mechetti N.o 2135, engraved music, modern wrappers, foxing, a few small tears repaired
Literature
MWV U 71
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
ONE OF MENDELSSOHN'S MOST FAMOUS COMPOSITIONS FOR PIANO. This very attractive keyboard work, a true Mendelssohnian Scherzo, with its overtones of the Wedding March fanfare (in a minor key), the Scherzo of the Octet and the Midsummer Night's Dream overture, formed the second of the three pieces which made up Mendelssohn's Op.16, the 3 Fantaisies ou Caprices, written in Wales in 1829, during the composer's first visit to Britain, for the three daughters of the mining engineer and entrepreneur John Taylor.
The three pieces were published together in 1831 by Mechetti of Vienna, with a dedication to Mendelssohn's friend Carl Klingemann (the pieces were also published individually in 1830/31 by Cramer, Addison & Beale). The autograph diverges in a number of places from the first edition, including with regard to the tempo marking ("Allegro vivace" in the present autograph, "Presto" in the printed score).
In addition to the present score, an earlier autograph of the piece, written for Honora Taylor on 4 September 1829, survives in Fenton House, London.
The three pieces were published together in 1831 by Mechetti of Vienna, with a dedication to Mendelssohn's friend Carl Klingemann (the pieces were also published individually in 1830/31 by Cramer, Addison & Beale). The autograph diverges in a number of places from the first edition, including with regard to the tempo marking ("Allegro vivace" in the present autograph, "Presto" in the printed score).
In addition to the present score, an earlier autograph of the piece, written for Honora Taylor on 4 September 1829, survives in Fenton House, London.