Richard Wagner (1813-1883) and Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Wagner's copy of Beethoven's Symphony No.3 ('Eroica') signed ('Richard Wagner') and inscribed, St Gall, 23 November 1856
Ludwig van Beethoven. Sinfonia eroica ... Op.55. Bonn: N. Simrock, n.d. [c.1830]. 251 pages, engraved throughout, contemporary marbled boards. Inscribed by Wagner on the front free endpaper; also with four full-page pencil caricatures on the endpapers and pastedowns by an unknown hand of Liszt conducting, one initalled 'A.C.', with annotations by Heinrich Szadrowsky. Provenance: Heinrich Szadrowsky (1828-1878, conductor); Sotheby's, 26 & 27 November 1987, lot 416.

Beethoven's Eroica Symphony, inscribed by Richard Wagner on the occasion of a famous joint concert with Liszt in St Gall, with four caricatures of Liszt conducting. Wagner's inscription on the front free endpaper reads, 'Am 23 Nov. 1856 dirigirte ich diese Symphonie im St. Gallen Abonnementconzert als Stellvertreter meines Freundes Szadrowsky [On 23 November 1856, I conducted this symphony in the St Gall subscription concert as substitute for my friend Szadrowsky]'. The four accomplished caricatures of Liszt show him conducting rehearsals for the same concert, with captions including 'Ah, die letzte Probe – Vorbei' (Ah, the last rehearsal – Over') and 'Donnerwetter meine herren mehr idealen gehalt !!!' (Damn it, gentleman, more ideal substance!!!). Szadrowsky's annotation to the rear pastedown lists performances of the symphony, including that under Wagner.

Wagner's inscription at St Gall on 23 November 1856 is on the occasion of a concert at which the conductors were Liszt (conducting his symphonic poems 'Les Préludes' and 'Orpheus'), Szadrowsky and Wagner (Wagner's part being Beethoven's Eroica Symphony, which concluded the programme). The concert had in part been put on to give Wagner an opportunity of hearing orchestral performances of Liszt's works, which he confessed made a deep impression on him. Wagner was a legendary conductor of Beethoven's symphonies, especially of the 9th, which is the only work not by Wagner to have been performed at the Bayreuth Festival.

See lot 233 for Szadrowsky's copy of 'Les Préludes', inscribed by Liszt on the same occasion.