[Rarebooks] Lhevinne plays Rachmaninoff & signs; Rachmaninoff signs at the end of his career as composer

[Peter B. Howard]

1)         Lhévinne (Josef) = Russian piano virtuoso (b. Oryol, Russia, 
1874; d. New York City, 1944).  American debut: 1906.


On at least three occasions, in 1913, 1920 and 1930, Lhévinne played for 
the Berkeley [ca.] Musical Association, in a series of concerts (five a 
year). The association was organized in 1910 by the American baritone 
William Edwin Chamberlain and lasted through at least 1934.  Here is the 
program for the first concert of the eleventh season. Lhévinne was the sole 
performer Tuesday evening, November 23, 1920:


                 Sonata, op 81, E flat 
major.                                            Ludwig van beethoven

                 Margaret at the Spinning 
Wheel                                  Franz Peter Schubert, songs
                 Hark, Hark the 
Lark.                                                    Transcribed by 
Franz Liszt

                 Ballade, F minor, op. 52
                 Four Etudes from op. 10 and 
25                                  François Frédéric Chopin

                 Three 
Preludes                                                          Sergei 
Rachmaninov

                 The 
Lark 
Song by Michail Glinka transcribed
                                                                                                         by 
Mily Alexeivitch Balakirev

                     Etude, F 
minor                                                              Ernest 
von Dohnanyi

                        The Blue 
Danube                                                          Johann Strauss
                                         Fantasie Transcription by Schulz-Euler


Single sheet,  190 mm x 240 mm, folded as issued to form 4pp., Slight 
wear.  Steinway piano used. "Ladies will please remove their hats."  Signed 
in ink by the artist in full above his printed name on page (1). $750.00 net pp




2)         Rakhmaninov [Rachmaninoff] (Sergey Vassilievich) = Russian 
composer and pianist (b. Oneg, Gvt of Novgorod, 1873; d. Beverly Hills, 
1943.  Fine black and white photograph by the Rembrandt Studio [negative 
8267-m3], 233 mm x  182 mm, in coat and tie, inscribed to William Edwin 
Chamberlain, baritone and organizer, Berkeley, [Ca.] Musical Association 
(1910-1934) = 5 programs a years, touring concert artists 
featured.  Chamberlain had his guest artist sign each program, and often 
gathered inscribed photographs in addition.

"To Mr. William E. Chamberlain with sincere appreciation / s. Rakhmaninov / 
1934."

  In this year the Rakhmaninov wrote "Rhapsody on a Theme by 
Paganini",  his last composition.  Fine condition. $2500.00 net pp.


/ pbh







Peter B. Howard
Serendipity Books
1201 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702
voice: (510) 841-7455
fax: (510) 841-1920
e-mail: pbhoward at serendipitybooks.com
http://www.serendipitybooks.com