Lot 4: BACH, JOHANN SEBASTIAN.

BACH, JOHANN SEBASTIAN. GROSSE PASSIONSMUSIK NACH DEM EVANGELIUM MATTHAEI...PARTITUR [FULL SCORE], BERLIN: IN DER SCHLESINGER'SCHEN BUCH- UND MUSIKHANDLUNG, 1830 first edition of the "St. Matthew Passion" , 324 pages, folio ( c .34.2 x 25.4cm), printed 4-page subscribers' list, libretto by Picander, engraved title and music, plate number 1570, publisher's and booksellers' stamps to title ("T. Boosey & C. o ", one of the original subscribers), contemporary cloth boards, original label to spine ("Bach Passionsmusik"), some foxing, joints weak, covers and spine worn with some loss

BWV 244; Hirsch, iv 677; Fuld, p.171; Hoboken 26; RISM BB 436a

This is the first edition of the full score of one of the great masterpieces of Western music. This impressive publication was by subscription, prompted by the famous performance of the work by Mendelssohn on 11 March 1829. Mendelssohn's name is included in the subscribers' list, as are those of Meyerbeer and Spohr. This copy is one of three allocated to the London dealer and publisher T. Boosey, whose stamp appears on the title-page.