A major rarity from a great composer

He's the genius who wrote Swan Lake.

The Nutcracker Suite. And the triumphant 1812 Overture.

Tchaikovsky is one of history's most famous composers.

He wrote some of the most well-known classical music of all-time.

But he didn't write many of these: musical quotations.

The most sought-after form of every composer's autograph.

Today, for the very first time, I'm offering you such a piece.

A passage of music from one of his most celebrated works.

Handwritten and signed by Tchaikovsky in 1893, five months before his death.

This is a truly outstanding collector's item.

Let me tell you why...

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Pyotr Tchaikovsky was one of history's greatest composers, and his works remain popular the world over.

Preserved for 130 years

First you have the condition and quality of the piece.

It's beautifully preserved and completely unfaded after 130 years.

The page measures 3.3 inches by 4.6 inches, and is partly overlaid by a gilt mount with just minor foxing.

Tchaikovsky's vivid musical notes almost dance off the page.

And he signs the quotation “P. Tchaikovsky”, and dates it “1 June 1893”.

It's a very fine, clear example of his incredibly scarce autograph.

A signature that would sit proudly in any major collection.

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A celebrated melody, signed and inscribed by the musical genius who composed it.

A famous melody

Secondly there's the quotation itself.

It's taken from one of Tchaikovsky's most celebrated pieces of music.

His remarkable Fourth Symphony, written in 1877-78.

More specifically, the solo oboe melody which begins the second movement.

Tchaikovsky himself famously described the melody in a letter to his patron.

He said it captured "that melancholy feeling which comes in the evening when, weary from one's toil, one sits alone...

“There come a whole host of memories... Happy moments when the young blood boiled, and life was satisfying; there are also painful memories, irreconcilable losses... It is both sad, yet somehow sweet to be immersed in the past."

It's uncommon to find a quotation from such a major and well-loved work.

And it becomes even more significant when you consider the date...

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St James' Hall in London - one of the most spectacular English concert halls of the 19th century.

A night of triumph

In May 1893 Tchaikovsky travelled to England to receive an honorary degree from Cambridge University.

And on June 1 he presented his Fourth Symphony for the first time in London.

The very same day he wrote and signed this musical quotation.

He conducted the symphony at St James' Hall for excited members of the London Philharmonic Society.

During the performance he implored his musicians to play with passion by shouting “More vodka! More vodka!” at them.

It clearly worked, and two days later he wrote to his brother: "The unanimous opinion was that the concert went down brilliantly and was a real triumph.”

That night was one of the highlights of Tchaikovsky's career.

And his jubilation was perhaps the reason he signed this piece...

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Fewer than 15 Tchaikovsky signed musical quotations have appeared at auction in the past 20 years.

An exceptional rarity...

because he didn't sign them very often.

Amongst collectors and dealers alike, it's a well-established fact:

Handwritten musical quotations by Tchaikovsky are incredibly rare.

In the past 20 years, fewer than 15 examples have appeared at auction.

And there isn't another one available on the market today.

But why are they such a rarity?

Tchaikovsky was known to be intensely shy, sensitive and often unsociable. Not a man likely to sign autographs freely, despite his fame.

And his life was cut short when he died suddenly at the age of just 53. Meaning he left behind far fewer signed items than his contemporaries.

When you combine these two factors with Tchaikovsky's enduring world-wide popularity, it's easy to understand why his musical quotations so rarely appear for sale.

These are pieces which stay in private collections for generations.

And your opportunities to own them are few and far between.

Own this outstanding piece today

This is the very first time I've offered this piece.

And I'm expecting a great deal of interest from serious collectors.

Because this musical quotation signed and inscribed by Tchaikovsky himself is a remarkable thing to own.

  • It features a superb clear example of his autograph.
  • It's a passage from his Fourth Symphony – one of his greatest works.
  • It was signed on June 1, 1893 – the same day he conducted the symphony in England for the first time.
  • And it's incredibly rare – the only example currently on the market today.

It's an extraordinary piece of musical history.

So if you wish to add it to your collection I suggest you act soon.

It's available to own now for £17,000 ($21,365).

Purchase this item now

To help you buy this item in complete confidence, remember:

This piece has been fully authenticated.

It's covered by my 28-Day No Quibble returns policy.

And delivery is free and fully insured.

To reserve it now, email me at info@paulfrasercollectibles.com.

Or call me on +44 (0) 117 933 9500.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Until next time,

Paul Fraser.

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