First Edition, First Issue of The Complete Score
Messiah an Oratorio in Score. As it was Originally Perform'd... To Which is Added His Additional Alterations.
London: Randall & Abell, 1767.
composer]. JENNENS, Charles, [contributor]. Messiah an Oratorio in Score. As it was Originally Perform'd... To Which is Added His Additional Alterations. London: Randall & Abell, 1767.
Full Description:
HANDEL, George Frederick, [composer]. JENNENS, Charles, [author]. Messiah an Oratorio in Score. As it was Originally Perform'd... To Which is Added His Additional Alterations. London: Randall & Abell, [1767].
First edition, first issue of the complete score. With all first issue points as called for by Smith. With the rest signs for the omitted Bass vocal part on p. 180 provided in manuscript, and page 19 of the appendix with fewer figurines in the Organo part, bars 6-10. The list of subscribers uses "Mr." rather than "Dr." With possibly the 2nd issue title-page, with the "and" slimmer, and 'T"s different. (Same as a copy listed by Fuld as Columbia University). Folio (14 3/4 x 10 1/4 inches; 375 x 260 mm). [2, engraved title], [2, list of subscribers], [1, index], [1, blank], 188, [35, appendix], [1, blank] pp. Aside from the List of subscribers and the index, all leaves are engraved. Charles Jennens wrote the libretto, comprising passages from the Bible.
Contemporary full reverse calf. Boards tooled in blind. Spine with remnant of spine label. Some cracking along spine. Head and tail of spine chipped. Corners chipped and bumped. Boards a bit rubbed and soiled. Previous owner's contemporary signature of W. Cole to front pastedown. Verso of title with gift inscription from Charles Cole to his brother W. Cole dated 1767, with and extensive manuscript note. Title-page dated in contemporary ink at foot. Manuscript bookplate in Greek at top of title-page. Manuscript price following list of subscribers. Some general spotting and browning throughout. Housed in a full morocco clamshell. Overall a very good copy.
Handel's Messiah was not published in full until 25 years after its initial performance in 1742.
"Readers of Handel literature will be familiar with the statements that Messiah, in its complete form with the choruses, was first published by Randall & Abell, in 1767, and that a rare version of Songs in the Messiah, was published in 1760 or 1763, these editions being the first of the numerous issues of the immortal masterpiece." (Concerning Handel and his Works, William C. Smith, Pg 66).
Messiah ?was originally conceived as a work for Easter, and its world premiere was given during Lent. While Handel later gave regular performances of?Messiah?at London’s Foundling Hospital, the oratorio was first performed in Dublin, at the Music Hall on Fishamble Street, on April 13, 1742. The concert benefited three local charities... Messiah contains 53 songs, referred to as movements that are grouped into three parts. Part I tells of God's plan to redeem humankind through a Messiah and the birth of Christ; Part II covers the death and resurrection of Christ; and Part III emphasizes the promise of resurrection and glorification of Christ." (The Handel and Haydn Society).
ESTC T189237. Fuld 265-266. Smith 1/2.
HBS 69532.
$13,500.
Price: $13,500.00
Item #69532