Lot 89
  • 89

Mahler, Gustav

Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description

  • Mahler, Gustav
  • Autograph musical quotation from the Second Symphony ("Resurrection"), signed (Gustav Mahler"), 1897
  • paper
comprising the opening two bars of the third movement, written on a single hand-drawn stave, marked "ƒƒƒƒ" and heavily accented, inscribed by the composer: "Fräulein Winifeld Ker Seymer"

1 page, on an albumleaf (c.22 x 17.5cm), paginated ("40"), Dresden, January 1897

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."

Catalogue Note

Mahler quotes the fortissimo drum-strokes at the beginning of the third movement "Scherzo" of his Second Symphony.  These were in fact a very late addition to the symphony, not present when Mahler wrote the complete autograph full score, which begins marked "piano" (sale at Sotheby's 29 November 2016, lot 36).  In fact, the present version can be discerned there, albeit only faintly, sketched out on the blank staves of the initial page.  The third movement was composed in July 1893 (at that time numbered the second) and premiered by the composer in Berlin in May 1895. The full score was published in 1897.