Sorabji, Kaikhosru
Opus Clavicembalisticum, proof sheets with composer's autograph corrections
£5,500
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: Day One: 24 February 2021 | From 10:00
Description
Opus Clavicembalisticum. London: J. Curwen & Sons Ltd., 1930. Comprising title-leaf with corrections (dated 11-Jul-1931 and stamped '1. Korrektur'), dedication leaf: "To my two friends...Hugh M'Diarmid and C.M. Grieve", contents leaf and 252 leaves of music, many with autograph corrections, several leaves appear to be initialled at the foot, however many leaves only appear to have the number '16' written, other leaves have typed or possibly stamped initials
Footnote
Note: When first performed in Glasgow in 1930, Sorabji's Opus Clavicembalisticum was the longest single piano piece in existence, with a performance duration of over 4 hours. Between 1936 and 1976, Sorabji instituted a "ban" on the performance of all his works, stating: "no performance at all is vastly preferable to an obscene travesty". This was possibly partially in response to a performance of the first part of Opus Clavicembalisticum, which lasted twice as long as stipulated by the score.