Cesi, Beniamino. (1845-1907). Rare Autograph Musical Quotation. A rare AMQS from the important Italian concert pianist, teacher, and author of etudes, penned in the last year of his life. On a postcard bearing his portrait, Cesi has penned the beginning of one of his demanding piano studies, marked Presto, complete with fingerings and expressive marks. He has signed and dated in rather shaky writing: Naples, April 1906. On the verso, the postcard is addressed to the Argentinian collector Ramona Imaz Otaño. In fine condition. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14.2 x 9.4 cm).
Born in Naples, Cesi began his studies with his father, and later with Luigi Albanesi. He was heard by Sigismund Thalberg, who was so impressed with him that he made him one of his favourite pupils. He began his career as a concert performer in 1862 and quickly gained a reputation in Italy. At the age of 20 he won a competition to gain the position of piano professor at the Royal Conservatorio of San Pietro a Majella in Naples. When Anton Rubinstein was appointed director of the Petrograd Conservatory, he invited Cesi to direct the pianoforte schools there. Cesi accepted the appointment in 1885, remaining until 1891, when he was forced to return to Italy owing to a paralysis which had set in. This, however, left his intellect unimpaired and still gave him the use of his right hand, and in 1894 he became a teacher in the Conservatory at Palermo, and after a few years there he was able to return to Naples Conservatory, where he remained in charge of a chamber-music class until his death in 1907. His educational writings (Method for Pianoforte) had considerable importance, and he wrote many volumes of revision of piano music. Among his notable pupils were Giuseppe Martucci, Alessandro Longo, Michele Esposito, Samuel Maykapar, and Leopoldo Mugnone.
Cesi, Beniamino. (1845-1907). Rare Autograph Musical Quotation. A rare AMQS from the important Italian concert pianist, teacher, and author of etudes, penned in the last year of his life. On a postcard bearing his portrait, Cesi has penned the beginning of one of his demanding piano studies, marked Presto, complete with fingerings and expressive marks. He has signed and dated in rather shaky writing: Naples, April 1906. On the verso, the postcard is addressed to the Argentinian collector Ramona Imaz Otaño. In fine condition. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14.2 x 9.4 cm).
Born in Naples, Cesi began his studies with his father, and later with Luigi Albanesi. He was heard by Sigismund Thalberg, who was so impressed with him that he made him one of his favourite pupils. He began his career as a concert performer in 1862 and quickly gained a reputation in Italy. At the age of 20 he won a competition to gain the position of piano professor at the Royal Conservatorio of San Pietro a Majella in Naples. When Anton Rubinstein was appointed director of the Petrograd Conservatory, he invited Cesi to direct the pianoforte schools there. Cesi accepted the appointment in 1885, remaining until 1891, when he was forced to return to Italy owing to a paralysis which had set in. This, however, left his intellect unimpaired and still gave him the use of his right hand, and in 1894 he became a teacher in the Conservatory at Palermo, and after a few years there he was able to return to Naples Conservatory, where he remained in charge of a chamber-music class until his death in 1907. His educational writings (Method for Pianoforte) had considerable importance, and he wrote many volumes of revision of piano music. Among his notable pupils were Giuseppe Martucci, Alessandro Longo, Michele Esposito, Samuel Maykapar, and Leopoldo Mugnone.