INSCRIBED BY SAINT-SAËNS

SAINT-SAENS, Camille. Sonate pour Violoncelle et Piano. Op. 32. Paris: A Durand & Fils, circa 1900. Quarto, original self wrappers with two cello parts and one piano part; pp.11, 11, 35. $2500.

Early edition, inscribed by Saint-Saëns on the title page, “a Monsieur Michel Raux Deledicque. C. Saint-Saëns, 1916.”

Composed in 1872, Saint-Saëns’ First Cello Sonata is one of his “best and most characteristic compositions” (New Grove 16:403). The cellist Raux Deledicque had performed Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto under Saint-Saëns’ direction in Buenos Aires in 1916. The Sonata was first published in 1873; the listing of the publisher as A. Durand & Fils indicates that this edition was produced sometime between 1891 and 1909; the plate number (1548) indicates that it was lithographed from the original plates of the first edition. This copy has two identical cello parts: one, signed by Raux Deledicque (as is the title page), has extensive finger markings in pencil throughout.

Foxing, light chipping and occasional tape repairs to text and title page; spine reinforced with tape. A very good inscribed copy.