MS Mus. 148 A-D

Full score in three Russian copyist’s hands in ink with typewritten lists of characters and orchestral forces required (ff. 2-3). Scenes I-IV and the opening 6 folios of Scene IX (ff. 291-296) have been copied by Hand A; Scenes V- VIII are in Hand B; Scene IX (from f. 297) is in hand C. The score has been copied on Russian papers omitting all text for the vocal lines which has been added, in English, in pencil by a later hand and is the translation prepared by M. D. Calvocoressi for the London performances of 1936. The score has been further annotated in pencil and includes details of some intended cuts, apparently in preparation for the 1936 performance. There is little physical evidence to suggest that this score has been used as a conducting score in rehearsal or performance. Musically the text represents the 1932 version of the opera: it contains the extended orchestral interlude at the end of Scene III which was later removed from the work. In common with two further manuscript copies in the Glinka Museum, Moscow, this score preserves both the organ and orchestral versions of the interlude between scenes four and five (figs 284-294). For further details of the revision process see L. E. Fay, ‘From Lady Macbeth to Katerina: Shostakovich’s versions and revisions’ in D. Fanning, ed., Shostakovich Studies (Cambridge, 1995), pp. 160-88. A label of John Rodker of the ‘Inter Nation Literary Agency’ is f. iii. A further label (f. iv) indicates that the rights to the work outside the USSR belong to the ‘Press and Publisher Literary Service’, Moscow. Purchased from Bertram Rota Ltd, 1995.

Four volumes; ff. xii + 353. Scenes I-IV are paginated 1-326. Paginations for later sections in the score have largely been lost through trimming, as have some of the instrument and character designations. Largest size 355 x 255mm. Bound in black cloth with paper labels to Acts II, III and IV.

John Rodker, publisher, of London: Bookplate: [1935?].