January 2023 Catalogue

60 Great Books Bauman Rare Books - 44 - Inscribed By George Gershwin: An American In Paris, First Edition 42. GERSHWIN, George. An American in Paris. An Orchestral Tone Poem. Piano solo. New York, 1929. Large quarto, original printed tan paper wrappers, custom cloth clamshell box. $35,000. First edition of the piano score (preceding the full score), inscribed: “Sincerely—George Gershwin / Oct. 10, 1929 / New York City.” An American in Paris is one of Gershwin’s most ambitious compositions. He wrote at the time of the premiere: “This new piece, really a rhapsodic ballet, is written very freely and is the most modern music I’ve yet attempted.” “In An American in Paris he showed that even without studying with Boulanger he could imitate the insouciance of Les Six— the group of young composers who were all the rage in Paris— and make use of polytonal harmonies out of Stravinsky, while writing tunes that were memorable and completely Gershwinesque” (David Schiff). Gershwin inscribed this copy six weeks after he made his conducting debut with An American in Paris at Lewisohn Stadium of City College of New York. First edition of the piano arrangement (preceding the full score). Carnovale W3. Faint fold lines. A fine copy, very rare and desirable inscribed. “Merrily, rollicking, appealing music… Anyone who dislikes this piece is not an American.” —Leonard Leibling

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