Collection of 18th century chamber music
3 volumes. Folio. 18th century quarter mid-tan calf with marbled boards with dark red leather title labels gilt to uppers.
CORELLI
Opera Prima (Secunda, Terza, Quarta). XII Sonatas of three parts for two Violins and a Bass with A Thorough Bass for ye Organ Harpsichord or Arch Lute Engrav'd from ye Score and Carefully Corrected by ye best Italian Masters ... No. 364 (365, 366, 367). London: Printed for I. Walsh servt. to his Matie. at ye Harp & Hoboy in Katherine Street near Somerset House in ye Strand, [ca. 1740].
Violino primo: 1f. (recto blank, verso frontispiece portrait engraving of Corelli by Van de Gucht after H. Howard), 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 24; 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 18; 1f.(recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 25; 1f.(recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 16 pp.
Violino secondo: 1f.(title), [i](blank), 24, 1f.(title), [i](blank), 18; 1f. (title), [i](blank), 25; 1f.(title), [i](blank), 16pp.
Violoncello: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 24; 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 18; 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 25; 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 16 pp.
The separately printed organ/harpsichord part lacking in all four sets; in the second and fourth books the bass parts are, however, described as "Violone o cimbalo" and include figured bass lines for each sonata. Early pencil markings to violin parts.
A total of 48 sonatas comprising Opp. 1-4.
Smith & Humphries 413, 416, 420, and 424. Hirsch III, 160. BUC pp. 217, 218, 219, and 220. RISM (the 1735 printings): C3673, C3711, C3755, and C3788.
Together with:
GALLO, Alberto fl. 1730-40 Op. 2
Twelve Sinfonie or Sonatas in 4 Parts for Two Violins, a Tenor, with a Bass for the Violoncello & Harpsichord. Compos'd in an easy and pleasing Stile ... Opera 2da. London: Printed for I. Walsh in Catharine Street in the Strand, [ [1754]. With "Numb. XXVIII." printed at head of title.
Violino primo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 12 pp.
Violino secondo: 1f. (recto title), [1] (blank), 2-11 pp.
Cembalo/Violoncello: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1] (blank), 2-10 pp.
Lacking the tenor (viola) part
Marx p. 93, nos. 116, 137, and 159. Smith & Humphries 666. BUC p. 359. RISM G260 (no copies in the U.S.).
Little seems to be known about Alberto Gallo other than that he was a Venetian composer active in the 18th century.
Together with:
FRITZ, Gasparo [Gaspard, Kasper] 1716-1783 Op. 1
Sei Sonate a Quatro Stromenti a Violino Primo, Secondo, Alta Viola, Cembalo o Violoncello. Dedicate A.S.E. Francesco Grevile Baron di Brooke ... Opera Prima. London: Printed for John Johnson in Cheapside, [ca. 1742]
Violino primo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1] (dedication), 2-9, [1] (blank), 11-16 pp.
Violino secondo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1] (blank), 2-14 pp.
Basso: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1] (blank), 2-11 pp.
Lacking the alto viola part
[?]First Edition. Rare. Not in BUC. RISM F2010 (two copies only, at the Bibliothèque publique et universitaire de Genève and the Universitetsbiblioteket, Uppsala).
Fritz was a Swiss composer and violinist. "Some of [his] published works had considerable success and were subsequently reprinted. The three-movement sonatas of op. 1 (which Handel judged favourably) exhibit sectional contrasts characteristic of the ripieno concerto. In the op. 2 sonatas, also in three movements, Fritz approached the style of the Turin school, with a richly decorated solo line supported by a thematically unrelated bass; some of the final movements are sets of chaconne variations." Jürg Stenzl in Grove Music Online
Together with:
SAMMARTINI, Giovanni Battista 1700-1775 Op. 1
Six Sonatas for two Violins and a Thorough Bass ... Opera Prima. London: Printed for and sold by John Cox at the Bass Viol and Flute in Sweetings Alley opposite the East Door of the Royal Exchange, [ca. 1750].
Violino primo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 12 pp.
Violino secondo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 10 pp.
Basso: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 10 pp.
BUC p. 919. RISM S676.
"Sammartini was primarily an instrumental composer, and one of the leading writers of concertos and sonatas in England between 1730 and 1750. His printed collections include 24 sonatas for flute and bass, 30 trios for flutes or violins, 24 concerti grossi, four keyboard concertos, an oboe concerto, 16 overtures, and some flute duets and cello sonatas. The tuneful Recorder Concerto in F, found in only one source (S-Skma), has become his best-known work. Hawkins classed Sammartini’s instrumental music with that of Corelli and Geminiani. Though his music is rooted in the late Baroque style, it also reflects some later trends. There is considerable variety in the number, succession and type of movements. ...
[His] music played a fundamental role in the formation of the Classical style. He was one of the most advanced and experimental composers of the early Classical period, and the first great master of the symphony, preserving his individuality despite the rise of the Viennese and Mannheim schools. Though the extent of Sammartini’s influence is still not fully measured, the high quality of his music places him among the leading creative spirits of the 18th century." Bathia Churgin in Grove Music Online
Together with:
SAMMARTINI, Giuseppe 1695-1750 Op. 3
XII Sonate A due Violini, e Violoncello, e Cembalo, se piace, Opera Terza, Dedicata all'Altezza Reale di Augusta Principessa di Vallia. London: Printed for and Sold by I. Walsh Musick Printer & Instrument maker to his Majesty in Catharine Street in the Strand, [ca. 1747].
Violino primo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1] (dedication within a fine decorative border engraved by H. Roberts), 2-36 pp.
Violino secondo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 36 pp.
Violoncello: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i] (blank), 34 pp.
The violoncello part with figurings
Smith & Humphries 1330. BUC p. 920. RISM S722.
Together with:
SAMMARTINI, Giovanni Battista Op. 4
Six Sonatas for two Violins with a Thorough Bass for the Harpsicord[!] or Violoncello ... Opera Quinta. London: Printed for I. Walsh in Catharine Street in the Strand, [1756]
Violino primo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1] (blank), 2-12 pp.
Violino secondo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1], 2-6, [i](blank), 8-10 pp.
Basso: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 8 pp.
Bass part with figurings
Smith & Humphries 1308. BUC p. 919. RISM S678.
Together with:
SAMMARTINI, Giuseppe Op. 6
Six Sonatas For two German Flutes or two Violins with a Thorough Bass for the Harpsicord[!] or Violoncello ... Opera Sexta. London: Printed for I. Walsh in Catharine Street in the Strand, [ca. 1750]
Violino primo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1], 2-15 pp.
Violino secondo: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1], 2-13 pp.
Basso: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [1] (blank), 2-14 pp.
Bass part with figurings
Smith & Humphries 1327. BUC p. 920 (with the date of ca. 1745). RISM S719.
Early manuscript numberings to margins.
Bindings somewhat worn and rubbed. Minor internal wear and imperfections.
In a very good state of preservation overall.
Item #40064
Price: $3,000.00 other currencies