Books on Music

• CREMONA Liuteria classica: un metodo; Stradivari e la Scuola cremonese Museo S. Agostino: Geneva, 1980. Large octavo. 64 pp. Illustrated throughout: maps, instruments, labels, etc. Stiff wrappers.
  In Italian and English
  REF-12173Inquire for PriceInquire
• CREMONA Liuteria classica: un metodo; Stradivari e la Scuola cremonese, La bottega del liutaio, Dall'alberto al violino, Otto capolavori Teatro alla Scala: Milan, 1980. Large octavo. 68 pp. Illustrated throughout: maps, instruments, labels, etc. Stiff wrappers. As new.
  In Italian and English
  BKS-07576 $45Inquire
• D'Auvergne, Edmund B. Lola Montez: an Adventuress of the 'Forties T. Werner Laurie: London, nd. Second impression. Small quarto. 375 pp. Frontispiece portrait. Cloth. Fine. REF-04287 $40Inquire
• Day, Lillian Paganini of Genoa The Macaulay Company: New York, 1929. Octavo. 318 pp. 31 plates: portraits, programs, documents, etc. Cloth boards with decorative endpapers showing Paganini caricatures. Very good. BKS-01729 $50Inquire
• Day, Lillian Paganini of Genoa The Macaulay Company: New York, 1929. Octavo. 318 pp. 31 plates: portraits, programs, documents, etc. Cloth boards with decorative endpapers showing Paganini caricatures. Spine missing, covers detached. Internally very good. BKS-05051 $25Inquire
• Day, Lillian Paganini of Genoa The Macaulay Company: New York, 1929. Octavo. 318 pp. 31 plates: portraits, programs, documents, etc. Cloth boards with decorative endpapers showing Paganini caricatures. D/j slighty ragged on edges, covers a little spotted; otherwise fine.
  Inscribed by the author on title page
  BKS-05052 $50Inquire
• De Wit, Paul (1852-1925) Geigenzettel Alter Meister. Volume I of II De Wit: Leipzig, 1910. Large Quarto. 16 + 38 pages of labels. Volume one only, of two. Limp boards. Slightly sprung, spine tips worn, otherwise very good. BKS-10010 $150Inquire
• Dent, Edward J. Foundations of English Opera: a Study of Musical Drama in England during the Seventeenth Century Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1928. Octavo. 241 pp. Cloth. Spine sunned, otherwise very good. BKS-04989 $15Inquire
• Dent, Edward J. Mozart's Operas: a Critical Study Oxford University Press: London, 1955. Second edition. Quarto. 276 pp. Frontispiece portrait. Cloth. Top of spine starting to open, otherwise very good. BKS-04934 $15Inquire
• Dickson, Harry Ellis "Gentlemen, More Dolce Please"; An Irreverent Memoir of Thirty Years in the Boston Symphony Beacon Press: Boston, 1969. Small quarto. 162 pp. Several b/w photos and caricatures. Cloth spine with paper boards and d/j (a little frumpled). Otherwise as new except for dust jacket. BKS-10005 $25Inquire
• Donington, Robert Wagner's 'Ring' and its Symbols: The Music and the Myth Faber & Faber: London, 1963. Octavo. 324 pp. Cloth with d/j. Underlining throughout, d/j tattered, otherwise very good. BKS-05276 $25Inquire
• Doring, Ernest N. The Guadagnini Family of Violin Makers: a Treatise Presenting Conclusions Concerning the Origins and Lives of this Famous Family Derived from Lifelong Study of Their Works and Diligent Research Among Relevant Data from Early to Recent Times…. William Lewis & Son: Chicago, 1949. first edition, no.775 of 1,500. Quarto. 335 pp. 66 pp. of plates. Quarter leather with buckram boards, top edge gilt. Spine a little cocked and very slighly rubbed on edge, owner's name on titlepage, otherwise fine. BKS-10002 $500Inquire
• Doring, Ernest N. The Guadagnini Family of Violin Makers: a Treatise Presenting Conclusions Concerning the Origins and Lives of this Famous Family Derived from Lifelong Study of Their Works and Diligent Research Among Relevant Data from Early to Recent Times…. William Lewis & Son: Chicago, 1949. first edition, no.775 of 1,500. Quarto. 335 pp. 66 pp. of plates. Quarter leather with buckram boards, top edge gilt. BKS-12314 $1,000Inquire
• Doring, Ernest N. The Guadagnini Family of Violin Makers: a Treatise Presenting Conclusions Concerning the Origins and Lives of this Famous Family Derived from Lifelong Study of Their Works and Diligent Research Among Relevant Data from Early to Recent Times…. William Lewis & Son: Chicago, 1949. first edition, no.775 of 1,500. Quarto. 335 pp. 66 pp. of plates. Quarter leather with buckram boards, top edge gilt. BKS-12315 $1,000Inquire
• DU PRÉ, JACQUELINE Jacqueline Du Pré: Impressions William Wordsworth. The Vanguard Press: New York, 1983. Quarto. 141 pp. Profusely illustrated. As new, with d/j. BKS-07451 $50Inquire
• Eames, Emma Some Memories and Reflections D. Appleton & Co.: New York & London, 1927. Octavo. 310 pp. Frontispiece portrait. Cloth. Fine. BKS-09656 $45Inquire
• Eaton, Quaintance The Miracle of the Met: An Informal History of the Metropolitan Opera 1883-1967 Meredith Press: New York, 1968. first edition. Large octavo. 490 pp. Frontispiece photo. Cloth with d/j. Fine. BKS-04945 $20Inquire
• Engel, Carl Researches into the Early History of the Violin Family Novello, Ewer & Co.: London, 1883. Octavo. 168 pp. 34 illustrations. Music examples. Cloth. Spine missing, covers starting to detach, pages evenly browned. BKS-05063 $35Inquire
• Fairfield, John H. Known Violin Makers Bradford Press: New York, 1942. first edition. Octavo. 192 pp. Buckram. Paper wrapper glued to cover, front hinge detached, sprung, some penciling. BKS-09542 $15Inquire
• Fairfield, John H. Known Violin Makers Harold Chaitman: Athens, GA, 1973. Reprint of 1942 first edition. Octavo. 201 pp. Buckram. As new. BKS-09719 $45Inquire
• Faner, Robert D. Walt Whitman and Opera University of Pennsylvania Press: Philadelphia, 1951. Large octavo. 249 pp. Cloth with d/j chipped, otherwise very good. BKS-04958 $35Inquire
• Farga, Franz Violins & Violinists, with a Chapter on English Violin Makers by E.W. Lavender Translated by Egon Larsen. Rockliff: London, 1955. 223 pp. 10 illustrations. Cloth. Fine with d/j (a little frayed). BKS-09492 $65Inquire
• FARRAR SIGNED BOOK Wagenknecht, Edward Geraldine Farrar: an Authorized Record of her Career University Book Store: Seattle, 1929. Limited edition, no. 266 of 350. Quarto. 91 pp. Frontispiece portrait. Photographs. Cloth. Slight water damage to back cover and last signature, otherwise very good.
  Signed "Geraldine Farrar".
  BKS-04980 $110Inquire
• Fétis, François-Joseph (1784-1871) Antoine Stradivari, Luthier célèbre, connu sous le nom de Stradivarius, précédé de recherches historiques et critiques sur l'origine et les transformations des instrument à archet et suivi d'anayses théoriques sur l'archet et sur François Tourte, auteur Vuillaume: Paris, 1856. Octavo. 128 pp. Raised frontispiece color portrait, facsimile of Stradivari letter. Buckram. Spine tips slightly bumped, light foxing, bookplate & newpaper photos pasted inside cover; otherwise fine. BKS-05070 $250Inquire
• Fétis, François-Joseph (1784-1871) Antoine Stradivari, Luthier célèbre, connu sous le nom de Stradivarius, précédé de recherches historiques et critiques sur l'origine et les transformations des instrument à archet et suivi d'anayses théoriques sur l'archet et sur François Tourte, auteur Vuillaume: Paris, 1856. Octavo. 128 pp. Raised frontispiece color portrait, facsimile of Stradivari letter. Paper wrap. Rear cover missing, disbound, fascicles separated. BKS-09539 $35Inquire
• Fétis, François-Joseph (1784-1871) Notice of Anthony Stradivari, the Celebrated Violin-Maker, known by the name of Stradivarius: preceded by Historical and Critical Researches on the Origin and Transformations of Bow Instruments; and Followed by a Theoretical Analysis of the Bow... Robert Cocks & Co.: London, 1864. FIRST ENGLISH EDITION. Octavo. 132 pp. Raised frontispiece color portrait, facsimile of Stradivari letter. Cloth with blind-stamping. Corners bumped, covers a bit faded; otherwise fine. BKS-09535 $120Inquire
• Fétis, François-Joseph (1784-1871) Notice of Anthony Stradivari, the Celebrated Violin-Maker, known by the name of Stradivarius: preceded by Historical and Critical Researches on the Origin and Transformations of Bow Instruments; and Followed by a Theoretical Analysis of the Bow... William Reeves: London, c 1864. Octavo. 132 pp. Facsimile of Stradivari letter. Burgundy buckram. Back cover detached from spine; otherwise fine. BKS-14348 $10Inquire
• Finck, Henry T. (1854-1926) My Adventures in the Golden Age of Music Funk & Wagnalls: New York, 1926. Quarto. 462 pp. Cloth. Very good. BKS-04929 $50Inquire
• Fischer-Dieskau, Dietrich Nachklang: Ansichten und Erinnerungen Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt: Stuttgart, 1987. Octavo. 319 pp. Buckram with d/j. As new. BKS-09641 $35Inquire
• Fleming, James M. Old Violins and their Makers: Including some References to Those of Modern Times. L. Upcott Gill: London, [1890]. Second edition. Octavo. 31 pp. Illustrations. Decorative cloth cover. Spine slightly bumped, otherwise, very good.
  Originally appeared as a set of articles in the newspaper 'Bazaar, Exchange and Mart'. Included at end is Gill's 'Catalogue of New and Practical Books', 32 pages, including advertisements for fountains, hair restorers and insect powders.
  BKS-05073 $60Inquire
• Fleming, James M. The Fiddle Fancier's Guide: a Manual of Information Regarding Violins, Violas, Basses and Bows of Classical and Modern Times, together with Biographical Notices and Portraits of the Most Famous Performers on these Instruments, Illustrated with Facsimiles Haynes, Foucher & Co.: London, 1892. Third edition. Small octavo. 310 pp. 3/4 leather, boards. Spine absent, covers rubbed, a little sprung; internally fine. BKS-07459 $110Inquire
• Flesch, Carl (1873-1944) [The Art of Violin Playing]: Iskusstvo skripichnoy igrï, vol. 1 Izdatel'stvo Muzika: Moscow, 1964. Quarto. 268 pp. Music examples. Soft boards. Corners bumped, otherwise very good.
  In Russian. A nice copy of this rare method.
  BKS-07512 $75Inquire
• 
  Foster, Stephen (1826-1864) My Old Kentucky Home Ticknor and Company: 1888. Small Octavo. 34 pp. Mary Hallock Foote and Chares Copeland, illustrators; A. V. S. Anthony, engraver/printer. Brown pebbled buckram. Inscription on first blank, stating as a Christmas gift from Joe, 1893. Good condition with slight bumping to corners and small crack on bottom spine; internal pages very clean.

  Each page offers an illustration and a line of the song provided on the last page.
  BKS-13553 $60Inquire
• Foucher, George Treatise on the History and Construction of the Violin, with a Short Account of the Lives of its Greatest Players and Makers, Written Especaily for the use of Students Preparing for the College of Violinists and Other Examinations Haynes: London, 1899. Second edition, revised. Small octavo. 82 pp. Cloth. Fine condition. BKS-05078 $40Inquire
• Francais, Jacques The Dr. Herbert Axelrod Stradivari Quartet Paganiniana Publications, Inc.: Neptune City, NJ, 1985. Quarto. 48 pp. Hardcover. As new.
  Illustrates the decorated instruments "La Greffuhle', the "Spanish", the "Axelrod" viola and the "Marylebone" cello.
  BKS-07967 $60Inquire
• Fry, George Italian Violin Varnishes: The Varnishes of the Italian Violin Makers of the Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries and their Influence on Tone Stevens & Sons, Limited: London, [1904]. first edition. Octavo. 128 pp. Diagrams. Cloth. Fine. BKS-07477 $85Inquire
• Fuchs, Albert Taxe der Streich-Instrumente: Anleitung zur Einschätzung der Geigen, Violen, Violoncelli, Kontrabässe usw. nach Herkunft und Wer. Neu bearbeitet von Otto Möckel Merseburger: Leipzig, 1929. Fourth edition. Octavo. 208 pp. Several b/w plates and diagrams. Cloth. Very good, spine tips slightly thumbed.
  Ex libris Jay C. Freeman (of the Wurlitzer Co.), with his bookplate.
  BKS-09493 $65Inquire
• Fuchs, Albert Taxe der Streich-Instrumente: Anleitung zur Einschätzung der Geigen, Violen, Violoncelli, Kontrabässe usw. nach Herkunft und Wert, Neu bearbeitet von Otto Möckel Merseburger: Leipzig, 1929. Fourth edition. Octavo. 208 pp. Cloth. Spine tips bumped, but very good. BKS-07456 $60Inquire
• Fuchs, Albert Taxe der Streich-Instrumente: Anleitung zur Einschätzung der Geigen, Violen, Violoncelli, Kontrabässe usw. nach Herkunft und Wert. Neu bearbeitet von Otto Möckel Friedrich Hofmeister: Frankfurt am Main, 1955. Fifth expanded edition. Octavo. 183 pp. Several b/w plates and diagrams. Cloth with d/j. Fine. BKS-09494 $45Inquire
• Fuchs, Albert Taxe der Streich-Instrumente: Anleitung zur Einschätzung der Geigen, Violen, Violoncelli, Kontrabässe usw. nach Herkunft und Wert. Neu bearbeitet von Otto Möckel Merseburger: Leipzig, 1918. Second edition (first was 1907). Octavo. 177 pp, unopened. Several b/w plates and diagrams. Paper wraps. Spine chipped & almost split; internally very good. BKS-09517 $45Inquire
• Fuhr, Karl Die akustischen Rätsel der Geige: die endgültige Lösung des Geigenproblems Friedrich Hofmeister: Frankfurt am Main, 1958. Octavo. 186 pp. Cloth. Very good. BKS-05082 $20Inquire
• 
  Furtwängler, Wilhelm (1886-1954) and Henning Smidth Olsen Wilhelm Furtwängler, Konzertprogramme Opern und Vorträge, 1947 bis 1954. F. A. Brockhaus: Wiesbaden, 1972. Octavo. 64 pp. In excellent condition (a little sunned at spine).
  BKS-12023 $25Inquire
• Galamian, Ivan (1903-1981) Principles of Violin Playing & Teaching Prentice-Hall: New Jersey, 1985. Second edition, expanded by 3 extra chapters. Quarto. 144 pp. Frontispiece portrait of Galamian in his studio and one other portrait. 35 illustrations showing position. Buckram, with d/j. Fine. BKS-09533 $50Inquire
• 
  Gallay, Jules (1822-1897) Un Inventaire sous La Terreur (État des Instruments de Musique) Georges Chamerot: Paris, 1890. No. 258 of 300. Quarto. 238 pp. Fine half-leather binding with raised bands, marbled boards. Original covers bound in. Excellent.

  Exceptionally fine copy of this rare book, listing instruments at the time of the French Revolution.
  BKS-08455 $1,500More Images/Inquire
• Garden, Mary (1874-1967) and Louis BIANCOLLI Mary Garden's Story Michael Joseph: London, 1952. Small octavo. 276 pp. Frontispiece portrait. Cloth. Front hinge reinforced, otherwise good. BKS-00114 $10Inquire
• Gavoty, Bernard and Roger Hauert Pierre Fournier Édition René Kister: Geneva, 1955. Quarto. 32 pp. Wonderful photographs throughout by Roger Hauert. Soft paper boards with d/j. Excellent except d/j a little soiled and slightly frayed along edges. BKS-09953 $75Inquire
• 
  Gay, John (1685-1732) Achilles. An Opera. [Libretto]. With the Musick prefix'd to each Song. J. Watts: London, 1733. first edition. Small octavo. 68 pp. Three-quarter red leather with matching red buckram. Marbled end-papers and edges. In excellent condition. Binding a bit worn at spine and corners.

  A scarce first edition with the scarce half title.

  Although Gay is best known now of course for The Beggar's Opera, his final opera Achilles was well received in its day. The burlesque parody tells the story of Achilles on Skyros.It premiered posthumously at Covent Garden in February 1733 and ran for over a month, constituting an emphatic success by eighteenth-century standards. The work uses popular melodies alongside borrowings from the concertante works of Arcangelo Corelli.
  BKS-15528 $325More Images/Inquire
• 
  Gershwin, Ira (1896-1983) The Firebrand of Florence - Lyrics From The Weill - Mayer - Gershwin Musical Produced by Max Gordon "MUCH ADO ABOUT LOVE" (working title)  Signed and inscribed on the title page: For Ed Jablonski from Ira Gershwin, with the additional note in his hand under the title: Lyrics from 'The Firebrand of Florence' (non-working title). 27 mimeographed pages of the typescript. Together with a copy of the first edition sheet music for the show's song "You're Far Too Near Me", as well as copied excerpts from Gershwin's letters to Jablonski about the show. Brown paper wraps with round sticker on upper left from Rialto mimeographing. Wrap cover is attractive overall but has scotch tape on spine, a small tear on left, and two coffee cup stains. Edges are a little ragged. Internally fine.

  Original inscribed typescript for The Firebrand of Florence

  The Firebrand of Florence, originally a 1924 play called The Firebrand, was adapted by Ira Gershwin and Edwin Justus Mayer in 1944, with a score by Kurt Weill and sets by Max Gordon. It opened in New York on May 22, 1945 and only ran for 43 performances. Nonetheless, Gershwin himself was not displeased with the work. He wrote in a letter to Ed Jablonski in January 1945: …Kurt Weill has done, I believe, the best job he's ever done - it's a much more rounded score than Lady in the Dark or One Touch of Venus - also it's going to have the best singing I've been connected with since the original Porgy & Bess Company. Naturally lots of things can go wrong before the opening and lots more after, but at the moment we're all pretty optimistic and know we're connected with something worth while doing artistically - and, (this we hope) financially.

  In a letter he wrote to Jablonski in April 9 after the first performance, he admitted that the musical got mostly bad notices so it looks as if nine months of hard work has been shot to hell….All I can say is that Weill and I had a most interesting and exciting time working on the score and feel we have done nothing to be ashamed of - in fact we're still rather proud of our contribution.

  Edward Jablonski was an important writer on American musical theater whose books include The Gershwin Years. Jablonski had a decades-long correspondence with Ira Gershwin.
  BKS-10928 $750Inquire