"OF THE TEN SCHUMAN SYMPHONIES, NO. 6 HAS PRETTY CONSISTENTLY BEEN THE ONE MOST ADMIRED BY MUSICIANS"

SCHUMAN, William. Symphony No. VI In One Movement. New York: G. Schirmer, Inc., circa 1965. Quarto, original wrappers, pp. 98. $600.

Study edition of the full score, inscribed by the composer on the title page to fellow composer Phillip Ramey, "For My Friend P. R. With AFFECTION + RESPECT! Bill Schuman, NYC 5/28/80."

"Of the ten Schuman symphonies, No. 6 has pretty consistently been the one most admired by musicians. Schuman acknowledged it as his own favorite too. I share that view and would add that it occupies a very high place indeed in a time, the middle of the twentieth century, singularly rich in strong symphonies. For audiences it is an accessible but challenging piece. Schuman's musical language is lucid, his expressive gestures are vivid, and you sense readily that his invention is driven by an emotional current that is strong and clear" (Michael Steinberg, The Symphony, 500). The recipient of this copy was Phillip Ramey, a composer and writer who was closely associated with Schuman, Barber, Bernstein, and particularly Copland.

Fine condition.