Lot 27•
BEETHOVEN (LUDWIG VAN) [Symphonies 2-6 in 5 vol.], FIRST EDITIONS, [1822-1826] (5)
Amended
7 – 20 June 2024, 12:00 BST
Online, London, KnightsbridgeSold for £2,560 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Books & Manuscripts specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
BEETHOVEN (LUDWIG VAN)
[Symphonies 2-6 in 5 vol.], FIRST EDITIONS, engraved throughout, comprising: IIme. Grande simphonie en Rè majeur (D dur)... Oeuvre XXXVI Partition, later issue (with title reading "partition" instead of "partiture" and engraved metronome markings at the beginning of each movement), occasional pencil notes, title and pp.1-162 [Kinsky-Halm 91], Bonn & Cologne, N. Simrock, plate no. 1959 [1822]; Sinfonia eroica composta per festiggare il sovenire di un grand'uomo dedicata a sua Altezza Serenissima il Principe di Lobkowitz... Op. 55. No. III... Partizione, later issue (with engraved metronome markings at the beginnings of each movement), dedication and pp.1-231, Bonna e Colonia presso N. Simrock, plate number 1973 [1822]; 4me. Grande simphonie en si b majeur (B dur) composée et dediée a Monsr. Le Comte d'Oppersdorf... Op. 60. Partition, second issue with "4me.", title and pp.1-195 [Kinsky-Halm 145], Bonn & Cologne, N. Simrock, plate no. 2078 [1823]; Cinquième sinfonie en Ut mineur C moll...Partition, title and pp.182 [Kinsky-Halm 157], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Haertel, plate number 4302 [1826]; Sixième sinfonie Pastorale en fa majeur F dur...Patition, title and pp.1-188 [Kinsky-Halm 161], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Haertel, plate number 4311 [1826], together 5 works in 5 vol., metronome markings at the beginning of each movement, all titles repaired at inner gutter with archival paper, occasional pencil notes, toning and light spotting, contemporary red half morocco over marbled boards, gilt spines, shelfwear and corners bumped, large 8vo, [1822-1826] (5)
Footnotes
First German and first authorised editions of the full scores of five of Beethoven's symphonies, including the Eroica.
The scores had previously only been published in Cianchettini & Sperati's 1809 volume of symphonies by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Although this is very rare in its original form, it became available again in 1975 as a facsimile reprint of the 1809 edition, whilst the Simrock editions remained out of print until much more recently. Although Beethoven had not been involved in the editing, these editions saw the introduction of the metronome markings which he had specified in 1817. They also served as a template for the first Beethoven complete edition, issued by Breitkopf and Hartel in 1862.
Provenance: Breitkopf & Härtel, ink stamps on titles of Fifth and Sixth Symphonies; T. Boosey & Co., ink stamp on titles of Third to Sixth Symphonies; Wessel & Co., in stamp on title of Second Symphony.
Saleroom notices
Please note, these are later issues of the first German editions.