Lot 8
Bernstein, Leonard (1918-1990) American composer, conductor, and pianist; West Side Story was his most popular and commercially-successful work. Autograph manuscript of a composition entitled "Valse Gaea," signed and dated ("Leonard Bernstein 25 Aug 67") on first page, and at foot of third page ("Love & happy birthday! Lenny B."), 3 pages (11¾ x 9 in; 298 x 229 mm), printed bifolium titled, signed and dated on first page, with composition written on the inner two pages, in pencil with annotations in red pencil, blue pencil and black ink on three and four two-stave systems per page, with the tempo marking at the beginning "Valse lente, Rubato" and with the "Gaea" marked by the composer over the notes throughout; some soiling, small split at bottom of page fold.
Leonard Bernstein composed "Valse Gaea" for Gaea Pallavicini, a friend in Rome, as a birthday gift. The piece was never printed or performed publicly. Ms. Pallavicini's name is spelled out in the musical notation throughout the piece: here the main theme uses notes G A E A (flat) and Bernstein marks the "Gaea" theme over the notes whenever the sequence of pitches (at whatever octave) recurs. Bernstein thus employs the same charming technique that Robert Schumann used of the dedicatée, Meta Abegg, in the opening theme, which is the basis for the ensuing series of the variations.
Together with two autograph notes, one on personal note paper signed "Lenny" and dated 15 June '89" and the other signed "Lenny, Nina, David, Frankie, Jamie, Alexander & Chuck"), each 1 page (3¾ x 5 ½ in. and 2¾ x 4 1/8 in., both being effusive notes of thanks; one note with envelope; both notes affixed to a piece of cardboard.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000.
Ex the property of Gaea Pallavicini; Sotheby's New York, June 26, 2000), Lot 133.
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| Realized $3,000 |
