Two page, autograph manuscript of his “Wiegenleid”
(Cradle song) on two sides of a single leaf staffed music paper 5” x 8.5” with
piano-vocal line, Manchester Broomhouse, April 16, 1855. It is dedicated
and signed at the top of the first page to Helena Sichel-Reiss, (1833-1888) the
wife of a wealthy German born, British textile manufacturer. He has also signed
it at the bottom of the piece on the second page as well Neukomm who spent some of his latter years in
Great Britain stayed with the Reiss family in Manchester. Note he signs with his enobled "Chevalier" name Ritter S. Neukomm on the top of the first page and signs in full on the bottom of the second.
Sigismund v. Neukomm (1778-1858) was a popular and
prolific composer in his day. He was born
in Salzburg, as a child served in the Salzburg Cathedral chorus. He was related to the Haydn’s and studied
with Josef Haydn’s brother composer Michael Haydn where was treated like a son
and he served as his assistant. He also
studied with Leopold Mozart. During his
time with Michael Haydn, he became Anna-Milder-Hauptmann’s vocal teacher, she
would go on to become Beethoven’s first Leonore, as well as Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart’s son Franz Xaver Mozart’s piano and first composition teacher.
Neukomm toured Sweden and St. Petersburg and an
organist and conductor, where he was made Kapellmeister and Direktor of the Tsar’s
German theatre in St. Petersburg. He left St. Petersburg several months later
to attend Michael Haydn before his death in August of 1806. After Haydn’s death he moved to Paris where
his circle of friends included, Cherubini, Cuvier and Gretry and he composed,
his first is first published works came out in 1808. He met Talleyrand-Perigord and immediately
became his court kapellmeister and pianist.
They became fast friends and the Prince invited the composer to join him
for the Congress of Vienna where he wrote a significant requiem mass to the
memory of Louis XVI, perhaps his best known work and given at St. Stephens
Cathedral during the Congress. In 1815,
Louis XVIII made him a Chevalier of the Legion d’honneur at Talleyrand’s
suggestion.
In 1816, he met the Duke of Luxembourg and went
with him to Rio de Janeiro, where he was appointed kappelmeister to Dom Pedro,
the Emperor of Brazil. He introduced the
works of both Haydn brothers and Mozart to South America during his time in
Brazil which ended in 1821 after the Revolution where he escaped to Portugal
with the Emperor. He resigned his
position returning to Paris and Talleyrand where he took up his old position as
his kapellmeister and toured with the prince providing music at various events during
the tours.
In 1829 Neukomm went to London as a guest of
Ignaz Moscheles, where he was introduced to Mendelssohn and they became fast
friends. Mendelssohn admired Neukomm’s
works. During his last 20 years, Neukomm
spent part of the year in Paris and part of the year in Great Britain.
Neukomm was exceedingly prolific with over 1000
published works. Within those works were,
6 operas, 8 oratorios, incidental music for plays, 2 symphonies, 6 fantasies
for orchestra, a piano concerto, 5 overtures for orchestra, marches, chamber
music, solo piano music, songs, 48 masses and hundreds of pieces of sacred
music including organ works, motets, te deums etc. etc.
Rare manuscript in extremely fine condition,
with no real age toning and only one light fox mark at the top of page 2. Pretty remarkable given the age of the piece.
Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc
Appraiser and Music Antiquarian
New York, NY
All Autographs Guaranteed Authentic!