Beschreibung:

COLLECTION OF INSCRIBED STRAVINSKY TEST PRESSINGS, PLUS PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE STRAVINSKY HOUSEHOLD IN BEVERLY HILLS. This lot features four sets of test pressings from 1947-1950, plus published albums from Stravinsky’s personal collection and incoming correspondence to the Stravinsky household, 1945-1946. Highlights include: 1. Orpheus. 10 long-playing discs, dated March 21, 1949-October 1949. Stravinsky composed his interpretation of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in 1949.These test pressings are from the RCA-Victor recording of the symphony. Four of the ten discs are inscribed by the composer: Disc 129-RC-949-IC, “Air de Danse (conc) Dance of Angel of death,” stamped May 4, 1949, inscribed ”This one is better. “ * Disc XT-3546-I, inscribed, “Part I / My address concerning ‘Orpheus’ / spoken for RCA Victor publicity / Oct 1949.” * Disc XT-3456-I, inscribed, “Part II-My address concerning ‘Orpheus’ / spoken for RCA Victor publicity / Oct 1949.” 2. Concerto in D and Apollon Musgate, 13 discs, April 20-May 25, 1950, 2 uninscribed discs damaged. Concerto in D is Stravinsky’s only complete work for string orchestra. Three of these test pressings are inscribed by the composer: Disc EO-RC-855-1, stamped April 27, 1950, inscribed “1st take.” * Disc EO-RC-854-1, stamped April 24, 1950, inscribed "1st take / GO is better than in the 2nd take.” * Disc EO-RC-853-1A, stamped April 20, 1950, inscribed “1st take." 3. Concerto in D and Apollon Musgate. 13 discs, April 20-May 25, 1950. This box contains many second takes of the movements recorded in the previous set: Disc EO-RC-853-2A, stamped April 20, 1950, inscribed “2nd Take.” * Disc EO-RC-854-2, stamped April 24, 1950, inscribed “2nd Take.” * Disc EO-RC-855-2, stamped April 27, 1950, inscribed "2nd Take.” 4. Danses Concertantes, Scherzo a la Russe, and Divertimento. 14 discs, November 3-4, 1947. Stravinsky conducts the RCA Victor Chamber Orchestra in these recordings of his works. The 14 discs in this group are still in their original mailer from RCA, addressed to Stravinsky’s Beverly Hills home. 5. Over 1000 pages of letters and documents relating to the day-to-day management of the Stravinsky household in Beverly Hills, 1945-1946, organized by month, in fair condition, most being bills from local businesses, but also containing correspondence in Russian, English, and French to the Stravinskys. This collection of everyday papers gives a unique glimpse into the everyday life of one of the 20th century’s greatest composers. Present are notes and invitations from friends, including Hollywood players like Erich Korngold and screenwriter Mercedes d’Acosta. These records also tell us that Vera Stravinsky spent lavishly at Saks, Bonwit Teller, I. Magnin, Beckner Furs, Schwabs, Beverly Hills Garden Supply, and Westside Market. Present also are gas, phone, and power bills, laundry lists, and bills from the cleaning service. Two years of the Stravinsky’s lives are recorded here, from the biggest social event down to the smallest everyday chore. See illustration.