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L. VAN BEETHOVEN. FIFTH SYMPHONY OP.67, A COMPLETE SET OF THE 22 ENGRAVED ORCHESTRAL PARTS. [1810S-1820S]
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
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Description
- Beethoven, Ludwig van
- [Fifth Symphony]. Sinfonie pour 2 Violons, 2 Violes, Violoncelle et Contre-Violon; 2 Flûtes, petite Flûte, 2 Hautbois, 2 Clarinettes, 2 Bassons, Contre-Basson, 2 Cors, 2 trompettes, Timbales et 3 Trompes...No.5 des Sinfonies, op.67, Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel, [possibly c.1810s]
A COMPLETE SET OF THE TWENTY-TWO ENGRAVED ORCHESTRAL PARTS, large 4to (c.34.5 x 26.5cm), plate no.1329, title-page to Violino Imo, modern folding box, green-gilt label & spine, unbound and uncut, no advertisements, a few early markings in pencil, title re-margined, a few tears repairs, some browning and foxing; together with four engraved orchestral parts for the Ninth Symphony op.125, the string parts only, no metronome markings, 4to, plate no.2321, lacking title-wrappers, ownership stamps
Literature
Hoboken 301; Kinsky (2014), p.369 (no.3); Fuld, p.557; Hirsch, IV 307.
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: we know of no other copy of the engraved parts of Beethoven's Fifth, arguably the most famous of all symphonies, offered at auction for over fifty years. In an era before conductors were common, it was in this format, rather than as a score, that the work was published; the score ("Partition") appeared only seventeen years later in 1826. Several variants of the first edition were issued during Beethoven's lifetime, of which this is the third. There are relatively few cracks observable in the plates but it is evidently not the first pressing. When originally published in April 1809, the iconic "fate" motif was only four bars long; Beethoven changed this almost immediately, but many copies had already been sold. This copy has the corrected opening "fate" motif (pause-marks on bars 2 and 5), and some additional markings to the viola part in the third and last movements.