Alban Berg Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Alban Berg Art Value Price Guide

Nov. 08, 2023
Alban Berg (1885-1935) Autograph musical quotation from Lulu inscribed to
Est: £8,000 - £12,000
Alban Berg (1885-1935) Autograph musical quotation from Lulu inscribed to his publisher Dr...
Christie's
Nov. 24, 2022
Berg (Alban, 1885-1935). Autograph Letter, 1912
Est: £500 - £800
Berg (Alban, 1885-1935). Autograph Letter, 1912 * Berg (Alban, 1885-1935). Austrian composer of the Second Viennese School. Autograph Letter Signed, Berg, Vienna, 5 October 1912, to his pupil Paul Königer, Berg informs his pupil when he will be available to meet him and comments on their mutual friend and teacher Arnold Schoenberg, reporting on the latters successes and the performance of Pelleas and Melisande in various European cities, giving news of Schoenberg and his planned performances of Die Melodramen [Pierrot Lunaire] and further mentioning Gustav Mahler, Ich bekomme heute lange Brief von Schoenberg; er Scheint Sehr Zufrieden (Pelleas In Haag Amsterdam, Petersburg, Wien [Specht!]auch der Mahler vertrag halt (Akad. Verband) dirigiert auch In Lemburg Dresden, Stettin, Breslau, Wien (2/Xi) Die Melodramen , with Bergs personal stamp [Alban Berg Wien xiii/i Trauttmansdorffgasse 27] neatly applied to the top of the second page, both sides of a postcard QTY: (1) NOTE: This letter which mentions both Schoenberg and Mahler by name, was written 2 days after Schoenberg had written to Berg from Berlin, informing the latter of the rehearsals of Pierrot Lunaire, performances of Pelleas und Melisande and a lecture he was to give about Gustav Mahler around the same time as the Berlin premiere of Mahlers Das Lied von der Erde, the performance of which took place on 18 October, (see The Berg-Schoenberg Correspondence, Macmillan, pp. 117/118). Berg effectively repeats a lot of this letters practical contents to Königer but significantly mentions Schoenbergs Pelleas und Melisande as well as Gustav Mahler. Paul Königer (1882-1943) was a student of Schoenberg during 1911 and then a student of Berg at the time the present letter was written. Of his student Königer, Berg wrote in a letter to Schoenberg (the day after this letter was written): Above all Königer, who plans to resign from the office in two months and wants to devote himself entirely to music [which he did not]. Since his most recent things, especially the songs he did over the summer, are quite good and definitely show great progress, Im very pleased with his decision and now well be able to do a lot of work together on counterpoint and composition. The works by Schoenberg mentioned here are the Symphonic Poem Pelleas and Melisande Op.5 and Pierrot Lunaire Op. 21 which had its premiere on the 16th October 1912. The reference to Gustav Mahler relates to the planned lecture Schoenberg gave about the great composer and a related contract (vertrag). This lecture took place on 13 October in Berlins Harmonium Hall and was organised by the impresario Emil Gutmann (1877-1920).
Dominic Winter Auctions
Nov. 04, 2021
AUTOGRAF: Alban Berg (1885-1935).
Est: CHF1,400 - CHF2,200
AUTOGRAF : Alban Berg (1885-1935), Vierseitiger, handschriftlicher Brief über "Lulu", gerichtet an den amerikanischen Verleger und Musikschriftsteller Hans Walter Heinsheimer, der damals die Operabteilung der Universal Edition in Wien leitete. Ferner über zerschlagene Aufführungspläne in Prag ("... Es wäre doch nur eine 2t klassige Aufführung geworden u. eine 3t klassige Bezahlung und dem kann man die Uraufführung der "Lulu" nicht aussetzen... es kann nicht sein, daß sich nicht der richtige Mann findet, der die geistigen und materiellen Voraussetzungen aufbringt, dieses Werk erstklassig herauszubringen..."). Mit gedruckter Absenderadresse auf dem Briefkopf und Stpl. des Empfängers, sig. "A. Berg", dat. "17.10." (19)95, 21,1x13,3 cm
Dobiaschofsky Auktionen AG
May. 23, 2018
Alban Berg, Composer of "Wozzeck" Comments on a Photograph
Est: $1,500 - $1,750
BERG, ALBAN. (1885-1935). Austrian composer who, with his teacher Arnold Schoenberg and colleague Anton Webern, founded the Second Viennese School, characterized by atonality and a twelve-tone notational system. ALS. (“Alb Bg”). 2pp. 12mo. N.p., August 26, 1934. [To American composer ETHEL GLENN HIER (1889-1971)]. In German with translation. “I think the photograph in front of me is very good and original, therefore I am returning only one to you.— I had recently written to Mr. Doughterty myself. *1 He therefore won’t be angry, if he receives one picture (that you can easily procure for him) without further comment. ------ *1 on the photograph of my likeness Thank you, dear friend, also for your long letter with inserts! And now we want to wish you a safe crossing and nice and successful months in the USA…” Berg began studying with Arnold Schoenberg in 1904 and composing songs and piano works in 1907. His String Quartet, Opus 3 premiered in 1911, the same year his studies with Schoenberg came to an end. He became part of Vienna’s fin de siècle artistic elite, and the 1913 Vienna premiere of portions of his Five Songs on Picture Postcard Texts by Peter Altenberg caused a riot. After serving in World War I, he joined forces with Schoenberg in exploring and promoting new music. His opera Wozzeck premiered in 1925 and brought him prominence before it was condemned by the Nazis as “degenerate art.” In 1926, Berg completed his Lyric Suite, the first major work in which he employed the twelve-tone system. The six-movement work for string quartet, which contains many coded references to his mistress, is a highly regarded work, which “for all its subjective and tragic character, remains one of the most brilliant and effective virtuoso display pieces in its genre,” (The New Grove Dictionary). Doughterty is possibly Celius Dougherty (1902-1986), an American pianist, composer and arranger. While studying at Julliard with Josef Lhévinne and Rubin Goldmark, he became a sought-after accompanist beginning in the 1920s. He first performed his piano Sonata in E Flat in 1925 and his 1930 performance of his Sonata for Violin and Piano cemented his reputation. During the early 1930s, he was a part of the MacDowell Colony. “In 1939 Dougherty formed a two-piano team with Vincenz Ruzicka, appearing in every state of the union and in Vienna with the Vienna Symphony in 1955. The duo was noted for giving world premieres of important new works for two pianos: Hindemith’s Sonata for Two Pianos, Stravinsky’s Sonata for Two Pianos, Berg’s Suite from Lulu, Schoenberg’s Variations on a Recitative. Some of these were works for orchestra, which he arranged for two pianos,” (“Celius Hudson Doughterty,” www.celiusdougherty.org). Hier was an Ohio native of Scottish descent who studied piano at the Cincinnati Conservatory, Julliard and in Europe, studying with Hugo Kaun in Berlin, Gian-Francesco Malipiero in Italy and Ernest Bloch. While there, she was undoubtedly influenced by Berg and Schoenberg and the Vienna School. She returned to the United States to teach piano and composition in Cincinnati and New York. Her own compositions include The Bird in the Rain which set poet Elinor Wylie’s poems to music; Down in the Glen; If You Must Go, Go Quickly; and Carolina Suite. In 1930-31, she was one of two women to be awarded a Guggenheim fellowship and corresponded with Berg in January 1933 to make arrangements for an August visit. Notepad perforations at the top edge and several barely visible creases; In excellent condition.
Lion Heart Autographs
Dec. 17, 2016
BERG ALBAN: (1885-1935) Austrian Composer of the Second Viennese School. A.
Est: £400 - £600
BERG ALBAN: (1885-1935) Austrian Composer of the Second Viennese School. A.L.S., Berg, on two sides of a plain postcard, Vienna, 5th October 1912 to Paul Koniger, in German. Berg informs his correspondent when he will be available to meet him and further comments on their mutual friend, Schoenberg. VG Paul Koniger (1882-1943) Student of Schoenberg between 1911-12 Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) Austrian Composer, Music Theorist, and Painter. Berg became a student of Schoenberg between 1904-11 and would no doubt have met Koniger during this period.
International Autograph Auctions
May. 21, 2016
Albert Berg, On Aventine Hill
Est: €2,000 - €2,500
Inscribed lower right: AventinInscribed lower right: Aventin
Kunsthaus Lempertz KG
Dec. 07, 2015
ALBAN BERG, FINE LARGE AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT QUOTATION FROM "LULU", 1935
Est: £10,000 - £15,000
"Dυr Alfred Kalmus, 'dem lieben Menschen', mit einer (unverbindlichen) Beteuerung an den Verleger...'Ich bin jung! Ich will Dir treu sein mein Leben lang! Ich will nur Dir allein gehören!', Februar 1935 AlbanBerg" comprising nine bars from Lulu's dramatic appeal in Act 2 scene 1, "Ich bin jung!...", to Alwa, after accidently shooting his father Dr Schön, the short score elegantly notated in black ink on two systems of four staves each, replete with phrasing and expression marks; Lulu's part contains the top notes C sharp and C, which are printed an octave lower in the published score, and other minor differences in the accompaniment 1 page, folio (c.28.5 x 20cm), loosely held in a card mount, [Vienna, February 1935], small tear repaired to top edge, some foxing and staining to margins
Sotheby's
Mar. 28, 2015
Berg, Alban, Komponist (1885-1935). Eigenh. Musikwidmung auf Rückseite eine
Est: CHF2,500 - CHF4,000
Berg, Alban, Komponist (1885-1935). Eigenh. Musikwidmung auf Rückseite einer Original-Photographie mit seinem Portrait. Bildseite ebenfalls gewidment u. dat. 1.V.1933. 17,8 x 12,9 cm. Beiliegend eigenh. Brief mit Unterschrift, 9.V.[19]33. 8°. 1 S. (gefaltet). Zus. in adress. Kuvert. Jeweils an Paola Ojetti, die Tochter von Ugo Ojetti in Florenz, bei der er sich für die 'unvergesslichen schönen Stunden in Ihrem Elternhaus' bedankt.
Koller Auctions
Jun. 05, 2013
BERG, ALBAN
Est: £3,000 - £5,000
AUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT RECORDING PERFORMANCES OF HIS WORKS IN JANUARY TO MARCH 1931 written in pencil, in four columns headed, respectively, "Datum / 1931", "Werk", "Ausführer[?]" and "Wo", providing details of ten concerts between 11 January and 20 March 1931, the details of another concert cancelled, the works performed including Drei Brüchstücke aus 'Wozzeck', Lyrische Suite, Sieben frühe Lieder, Wozzeck (Act II), and the performers including the Kolisch Quartet, Stokowski and the Philadelphia [Grand] Opera [Company], a few pencil annotations in another hand, the dates deleted in red crayon (by Berg?), and a few annotations possibly in another hand in a different red crayon 1 page, oblong 4to (22.3 x 28.3cm), no place, [1931] splitting along vertical and horizontal folds, a few tiny stains
Sotheby's
Jun. 05, 2013
BERG, ALBAN
Est: £3,000 - £4,000
HAND-PRINT OF BERG'S RIGHT HAND, SIGNED AND DATED BY HIM ("ALBANBERG 14./12.25") c.21 x 16cms, in black ink, with the stamp ("M. Raschig's Handarchiv"), annotated by Marianne Raschig on verso; together with a photographic negative of the signed hand-print in brown, [Berlin], 14 December 1925
Sotheby's
Jun. 05, 2013
BERG, ALBAN
Est: £1,500 - £2,000
PORTRAIT OF ALBAN BERG BY GETRUD ZUCKERKANDL-STEKEL executed in watercolour, black pencil and ink wash on paper, signed on lower right-hand side, "G Szekel (31.7 x 25.2cm)
Sotheby's
May. 29, 2013
BERG, Alban,
Est: -
BERG, Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935. Masch. B. m. U. (Bleistift), Wien, 29. 12. 1929, 2 S., schwarzes und rotes Farbband, e. Korrekturen, am Schluß e. Neujahrswünsche u. U. (Bleistift) von Helena Berg-Nahowski, 4to. Ausführlicher und freundschaftlicher Brief an den Komponisten Paul v. Klenau: "... Von den mir bekannten Tagen Deines Wiener Sejours (ich traf Dich am 15. November im Scherchenkonzert und nahm Deine Abreise für den 15. Dezember an) von diesen 30Tagen also war ich selbst fast 10 Tage abwesend (Essen), eine Woche krank, hatte (zum erstenmal in meinem Leben) eine öffentliche Klavierbegleitung - mit vorhergehender Gesangs-Korrepetition und Klavierüben - zu leisten, zwei Vorträge vorzubereiten, vier Tage der Wiener Staatsoper quasi zur Verfügung zu stehen (mit dem Oldenburger Korrepetitor), Vorbereitungen für die obige Reise und für Weihnachten zu treffen; und die Zwischenzeit mit Briefschreiben und Telefonieren und Stundengeben auszufüllen. Und da spreche ich nur von mir. Auch Dir ist es in diesen 30 Tagen nicht anders ergangen. Jedenfalls wäre es ein Wunder gewesen, wenn die paar Stunden der Muße, die uns beiden vielleicht gerade noch geblieben sind, so auf die Minute zusammen gefallen wären, daß wir sie zusammen hätten verbringen können (...) Anbei findest Du lieber Paul eine Liste, die meine Bruchstücke betrifft, Ich habe die Partitur eben durchgeblättert in der Absicht, Dir darüber vielleicht ein oder die andere Bemerkung (aus meinen Erfahrungen heraus) zu sagen. Und sehe nun, daß es ein ganzer Haufen geworden ist: Druckfehler, neue Retouchen und kleine Unklarheiten in dem, was ich gewollt habe. Ich habe sie stückweise im Telegrammstil angeführt: möchte aber jetzt hinzufügen, daß ich Dich bitte bei jedem einzelnen Punkt bitte, ihn zu berücksichtigen. Du mögest also überall lesen statt etwa: Takt so und so mf! richtig: bitte mf! Und es ist klar daß dieses bitte auch unausgesprochen ein Danke zur Folge hat. Überflüssigerweise hab ich mich auch über die Sprechstimmbehandlung ausgelassen. Ich hab ja ganz vergessen, daß in den Gurreliedern auch ein Sprecher vorkommt, Du also längst vollauf und aus eigenster Erfahrung orientiert bist ...". opening price EUR 800,-
Dorotheum
Jun. 21, 2012
Alban BERG (1885-1935) L.A.S., 21 mai 1913, à
Est: €800 - €1,000
Alban BERG (1885-1935) L.A.S., 21 mai 1913, à Breisach junior à Vienne ; 1 page et demie obl. in-12, adresse (carte postale de correspondance à son adresse à Vienne) ; en allemand.Il aimerait...
Ader
Nov. 30, 2011
BERG, ALBAN.
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
SIEBEN FRÜHE LIEDER FÜR EINE SINGSTIMME UND KLAVIER, VIENNA: UNIVERSAL, 1928 first edition inscribed and signed by Berg on the title ("Wien, 27. Okt.30: "Winterreise" "Das nenn' ich einen Abend So recht nach meinem Sinn!".., liebe verehrte Frau Marya Freund. In Hochschätzung Alban Berg"), 31 pages, folio (30.5 x 23.2cm), plate number U. E. 8853, publisher's printed wrappers, first gathering detached, upper wrapper and some leaves split at gutter, light creasing to wrappers
Sotheby's
Jun. 08, 2011
BERG, ALBAN
Est: £2,500 - £3,000
BERG, ALBAN AUTOGRAPH MUSICAL QUOTATION FROM "LULU", SIGNED AND INSCRIBED ("AUS 'LULU'...ALBAN BERG") comprising 4 bars from the end of Act 2, scene 1, Dr Schön's death-scene, notated in blue-black ink, on three staves for piano reduction and bass voice, with the words "O Gott, o Gott! o gott, o Gott!", 1 page, 8vo (c.21 x 13.3cms), undated, some staining,
Sotheby's
Jun. 08, 2011
BERG, ALBAN.
Est: £3,000 - £4,000
BERG, ALBAN. FINE AUTOGRAPH MUSICAL QUOTATION FROM WOZZECK , INSCRIBED AND SIGNED (""WOZZECK" II/1 ALBANBERG") comprising two bars sung by Wozzeck ("Nichts als Arbeit unter der Sonne") from near the beginning of Act II, scene i (bb.112-113), notated in brown ink on a single stave, 2 bars in all, 1 page, large oblong 8vo, no place, 30 March 1930, contained in a music album with 12 other signatures, mostly of musicians, on other pages, including Robert Heger and Hans Duhan, one page containing the melody and words of a song ("Da neigt sich die Stunde") in an amateur hand, blue half cloth, gilt lettering to upper cover ("Albert Ferd. Karoly Wiener Sängerknabe"), the other entries dating from 1930-1938, small tear to one of the album's blank leaves, light browning, a few small marks, crease to lower right-hand corners of album leaves, light wear to covers
Sotheby's
Jun. 08, 2011
BERG, ALBAN.
Est: £3,000 - £4,000
BERG, ALBAN. SIEBEN FRÜHE LIEDER FÜR EINE SINGSTIMME UND KLAVIER, VIENNA: UNIVERSAL, 1928 first edition inscribed and signed by Berg on the title ("Wien, 27. Okt.30: "Winterreise" "Das nenn' ich einen Abend So recht nach meinem Sinn!".., liebe verehrte Frau Marya Freund. In Hochschätzung Alban Berg"), 31 pages, folio (30.5 x 23.2cm), plate number U. E. 8853, publisher's printed wrappers, first gathering detached, upper wrapper and some leaves split at gutter, light creasing to wrappers
Sotheby's
Jun. 08, 2011
BERG, ALBAN.
Est: £3,000 - £4,000
BERG, ALBAN. GEORG BÜCHNERS WOZZECK OPER IN 3 AKTEN (15 SZENEN) VON ALBAN BERG OP. 7 KLAVIERAUSZUG VON FRITZ HEINRICH KLEIN [VOCAL SCORE], [VIENNA:] EIGENTUM DES KOMPONISTEN, [1923?] first edition, signed and inscribed by Berg on the title ("Der Universal-Edition und ihrem Leiter Herrn Direktor Emil Hertzka ergebenst überreicht vom Autor 8./10 23"), 231 pages, folio (33.5 x 26.6cm), plate number A B 4, ownership stamp to upper cover ("Prf. Paul v. Klenau..."), publisher's cloth-backed printed wrappers, damp-stain affecting lower right-hand corners up to c.p.113, affecting inscription, upper cover becoming detached, covers browned and frayed
Sotheby's
Apr. 20, 2011
BERG, ALBAN MARIA JOHANNES. 1885-1935.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Autograph Letter Signed ("Berg"), 4 pp recto and verso, 8vo (conjoined leaves), Styria, September 7, 1904 [but 1914?], on personal letterhead, to Gottfried Kassowitz, autograph transmittal envelope. Fine letter with much musical content from the young composer to his pupil Gottfried Kassowitz, the conductor. See illustration.
Bonhams
Dec. 01, 2010
BERG, ALBAN.
Est: £5,000 - £7,000
BERG, ALBAN. FINE AUTOGRAPH MUSICAL QUOTATION FROM WOZZECK , INSCRIBED AND SIGNED (""WOZZECK" II/1 ALBANBERG") comprising two bars sung by Wozzeck ("Nichts als Arbeit unter der Sonne") from near the beginning of Act II, scene i (bb.112-113), notated in brown ink on a single stave, 2 bars in all, 1 page, large oblong 8vo, no place, 30 March 1930, contained in a music album with 12 other signatures, mostly of musicians, on other pages, including Robert Heger and Hans Duhan, one page containing the melody and words of a song ("Da neigt sich die Stunde") in an amateur hand, blue half cloth, gilt lettering to upper cover ("Albert Ferd. Karoly Wiener Sängerknabe"), the other entries dating from 1930-1938, small tear to one of the album's blank leaves, light browning, a few small marks, crease to lower right-hand corners of album leaves, light wear to covers
Sotheby's
Dec. 08, 2009
BERG, ALBAN.
Est: £2,000 - £3,000
GOOD AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED TWICE ("BERG"), TO PAUL KÖNIGER, ABOUT WEBERN, SCHOENBERG, SCHREKER, HIS OWN PRESENT LIFE AND COMPOSITIONS referring to an essay of his, which interests him enormously, expressing pleasure that he is reading Dostoyevsky, noting that he has begun to read The Idiot and intends soon to start on Rosegger, a writer Webern cannot recommend highly enough and whom he compares, with some reservation, to Strindberg, stating that he corresponds with Webern a great, every three to four days; Berg also discusses Schoenberg, with whom he says he corresponds mainly on musical matters ("...Mit ihm stehe ich hauptsächlich in sachlicher Correspondenz..."), stating that he will ask Webern if Schoenberg has any pupils or intends to take any; in addition, Berg discusses his own compositions, informing him that he as at last begun to compose again after a long pause, referring to the Fünf Orchesterlieder Op.4, which he intends to finish here, and also to his piano score of the last two movements of Schoenberg's String Quartet no.2, which he has just finished, commenting on Hertzka's criticism of his arrangement; Berg refers to current musical trends, admitting that he knows which way the wind is blowing, namely towards Schreker, observing that they can expect in this regard many unpleasant things; concerning non-musical matters, Berg describes the wonderful countryside, his walks, and notes that he intends to stay there till the end of September; finally, in an extended postscript, Berg requests charmingly that he refrain from addressing him so formally; 6 pages, plus blanks, 8vo, stamped address ("Alban Berg p.A. Nahowski Trahütten in Steiermark..."), Trahütten, 6 September 1912, horizontal fold
Sotheby's
Jun. 09, 2008
Autographs: (BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935).
Est: - €120
Autographs: (BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935). Konvolut von 3 Portraitphotographien, 10,5 x 8 cm,
Dorotheum
Jun. 09, 2008
Autographs: BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935. E.
Est: - €300
Autographs: BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935. E. Eintragung und U. auf loser Seite eines Albums, 25.
Dorotheum
Jun. 09, 2008
Autographs: BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935. E.
Est: - €1,500
Autographs: BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935. E. B. m. U., Wien, 18. 7. 1914, 2 S., kl.-8vo.
Dorotheum
Jun. 09, 2008
Autographs: BERG,Alban, Komponist; 1885 - 1935. E.
Est: - €2,000
Autographs: BERG,Alban, Komponist; 1885 - 1935. E. B. m. U., Wien, 24. 6. 1914, 6 S., kl.-8vo.
Dorotheum
Dec. 06, 2007
BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935. E. B. m. U.
Est: - €5,000
BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935. E. B. m. U. (Alb), o. O. (Wien), 18. 6. 1914, 10 1/2 S.,
Dorotheum
Dec. 06, 2007
BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935. Selbstportrait
Est: - €1,500
BERG,Alban, Komponist, 1885 - 1935. Selbstportrait (Federzeichnung) m. e. U., o. O., o. D.,
Dorotheum
Jun. 16, 2007
BERG ALBAN
Est: $2,000 - $2,500
450. ALBAN BERG (1885 - 1935) Influential Austrian composer and pupil of Arnold Schoenberg who adopted his mentor's atonal style but tempered it with the lyric and dramatic qualities of the Viennese tradition. Superb A.M.Q.S. 1p. 16mo., [n.p.], Sept. [?] 26, 1930, a long measure from Richard Strauss' famed opera Salome (1905), neatly penned on a small card and signed beneath. Attractively set into a peach mat along with an abstract portrait of Berg, and framed in a gilt frame. Salome was inspired by Oscar Wilde's controversial play based on the classical Biblical tale. Fine condition, not examined out of frame. Musical quotes by Berg are quite rare. $2,000-2,500
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
May. 20, 2005
BERG, ALBAN.
Est: £500 - £600
Autograph letter signed ("Alban Berg"), about "Wozzeck" Condition Note: To a conductor, expressing satisfaction with the two programmes he has sent him, offering his cooperation and his congratulations to all who participated in Wozzeck 2 pages, 21x 13cms, Vienna, 28 May [19]31 We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described in our catalogue. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Sotheby's
Oct. 29, 2001
BERG, Alban (1885-1935). Autograph musical quotation signed ("Alban Berg"), to Erme(?) Katz, Frankfurt, 19 April 1931. 1 page, oblong 12mo, with autograph musical example notated on a single hand-drawn stave, in a giltwood frame.
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
BERG QUOTES THE OPENING OF HIS FAMOUS ATONAL OPERA WOZZECK A very attractive example of an extended bar from Wozzeck, notated by the composer on a carefully drawn staff and boldly signed. Berg's operatic masterpiece (based on the play Woyzeck by Georg Bchner) provoked a violent reaction at its premiŠre in 1925. Berg adopted atonality and later the twelve-tone technique of Arnold Schoenberg (with whom he studied from 1904), but combined it with elements of the lyric and dramatic qualities of the Viennese romantic tradition. Wozzeck is written in free atonal style, with occasional intrusions of tonality and is generally considered "an epoch-making work that broke new ground musically, emotionally and dramatically" ( Grove Dictionary, III, pp.316-17). The success of Wozzeck brought Berg recognition as a composer and a degree of financial stability; royalties, along with private teaching, enabled him to devote himself to composition.
Christie's

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