Theodor Leschetizky (Lancut, Poland, 1830 - 1915, Dresden)
Hommage à Chopin, Opus 46, No. 9: Contes de Jeunesse, Suite de Morceaux pour Piano, 1902
Ink on paper, 33 x 52.5 cm (13 x 20 11/16 in.)
This musical score is in a light-blue textured portfolio with the handwritten printed title “Leschetizky - Homage à Chopin - op. 46 No. 9” on the binder’s cover page. The score itself is written on pre-printed musical staffs, and is ten pages long. The first page is a handwritten title page, possibly in the composer’s handwriting, repeating the title of the work, composer, and adding “a Monsieur I. Paderewski” and some additional notes in the center third of the page. The music starts on the next page, repeating the title and composer’s name at the top, with the balance of the score set out in the remaining pages. The handwriting is in a dark ink, with some notations in lighter ink, possibly pencil, and a few notations in red and light blue.
Yellow Room
Commentary
Always generous with local musicians, Isabella Stewart Gardner arranged for New England Conservatory student George Proctor to study piano with composer Theodor Leschetizky in Vienna in 1892. Gardner’s relationship with Proctor became close—his wedding was held in the museum’s Chapel —and she remained a staunch supporter despite his failure to mature into a successful performer. Because Gardner collected musical manuscripts, it is possible that Proctor presented this sheet music as tribute to her patronage.