A Selection of Hebrew Melodies, Ancient and Modern, With Appropriate Symphonies & Accompaniments by I.Braham & I.Nathan, The Poetry Written Expressly for the Work by the Right Hon[ora]ble Lord Byron

AUCTION 39 | Thursday, April 03rd, 2008 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Art

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Lot 246
(MUSIC)

A Selection of Hebrew Melodies, Ancient and Modern, With Appropriate Symphonies & Accompaniments by I.Braham & I.Nathan, The Poetry Written Expressly for the Work by the Right Hon[ora]ble Lord Byron

FIRST EDITION. Musical notation. On title, signatures in sepia ink of I. Braham and I. Nathan pp. (8), 64, (1). Foxed. Stiff printed boards, bumped. Sm. folio Roth, Magna Bibliotheca Anglo-Judaica, p. 404

London: C. Richards (1815)

Est: $1,500 - $2,000
Copy Signed by Co-Authors Braham and Nathan “Hebrew Melodies” is the only work by Lord Byron (1788-1824) that can be said to relates to Jewish sensibilities. This collection of poems was written in 1814 for music composed by Isaac Nathan. Subsequently, John Braham arranged and sang the songs. John Braham was the theaterical name of John Abraham (1774-1856), an Anglo-Jewish singer of such virtuosity that for more than a generation he was regarded as the national singer. See JE, Vol. III, pp. 347, 450 Isaac Nathan (1792-1864) was an Anglo-Jewish musician and composer who was instructor in music to Princess Charlotte of Wales. In 1823 he penned An Essay on the History and Theory of Music, which contained melodies for use in the synagogue (sold at auction, Kestenbaum Sale 28, Lot 247). In 1841 Nathan relocated to Sydney, where he contributed to developing music in Australia. JE, Vol. IX, p. 179