Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) - photo 1
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) - photo 2
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) - photo 3
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) - photo 4

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)

Lot 136
08.11.2023 11:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 1 890
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1053250
Lot 136 | Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
Estimate value
£ 2 500 – 3 500
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
Copy score with autograph additions and annotations of Sept Haïkaï, esquisses japonaises pour Piano solo, xylophone, marimba, et petit orchestre, [1963]
Corrected copy of the score, including revealing interpretative commentary, for this Japanese-inspired work.

Photographic copy of the manuscript for the orchestral score, title and 78 leaves, 400 x 303mm, annotated on the title page 'partition corrigée et prête pour la gravure', autograph annotations in pencil throughout; a few annotations in red pen by Pierre Boulez; stamps of SACEM, dated 13 November 1963, and the publishers Alphonse Leduc. Ring-bound, card covers.

Provenance:
(1) Pierre Boulez (1925-2016), conductor at the first performance: annotations in red pen, including in capital letters on title 'Prière instante de ne pas ajouter d'indications inutiles – merci', with a layout for the orchestra (cancelled in pencil by Messiaen), and a few other conducting notes in red and blue pencil.

(2) Alde, Paris, 17 June 2016, lot 254.

(3) Schøyen Collection, MS 5575.

Messiaen's annotations include the plan of the 'disposition de l'orchestre' on the verso of the title page, a note of the total duration ('18 mins., 40') and in addition to proofing and amending individual notes and dynamics they include a numbering of commentaries, amongst them substantial introductory texts on the titles of sections I, IV, V and VII, the first of which reads 'Cette pièce est ouvragée et grimaçante, comme les démons qui gardent l’entrée des Temples Bouddhiques. Il n’y a pas de mélodie principale. Les violons sont peu importants – ils expriment un sentiment figé, sans plus – et sont un chant parmi d’autres choses. On entendra surtout le xylo, le marimba, le piano, et les bois : mais on doit aussi percevoir le reste, et tout compte. ... Pour tous les instruments : bien observer toutes les nuances. C’est indispensable à la clarté de la pièce'. The annotations particularly indicate which instruments are to be most prominent in each section, e.g. in section II notes the three clarinets and marimba; others indicate what atmosphere is envisaged.

The work was composed by Messiaen after a trip to Japan on his honeymoon with his second wife, Yvonne Loriod; the premiere was on 30 October 1963 under Boulez, with Loriod at the piano. The dedicatees include Loriod, Boulez and 'the landscapes, the music and all the birds of Japan'.
Artist:Olivier Messiaen (1908 - 1992)
Place of origin:France
Auction house category:Letters, documents and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
02.11.2023 09:00 – 17:00
03.11.2023 09:00 – 17:00
04.11.2023 12:00 – 17:00
05.11.2023 12:00 – 17:00
06.11.2023 09:00 – 17:00
07.11.2023 09:00 – 17:00
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.