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The lost Mendelssohn song and accompanying letter. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.  UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £60,000.

A lost song by Mendelssohn has come to light in America and will be sold at Christie’s in London on May 21.  Entitled Das Menschen Herz ist ein Schacht or The heart of man is like a mine it is estimated to sell for £15,000-25,000.  The work was re-discovered amongst the papers of the current owner’s grandfather, a musician and will feature in the sale of Valuable Manuscripts and Printed Books.

The existence of the song, which comprises 29 bars for an alto voice and piano in A flat major, was known to scholars at it had been sold at auction in 1862 and again in 1872. It was never published and the whereabouts has since been a musical mystery. It is not known how it came to be in America.  It is accompanied by a May 1842 letter from Mendelssohn to theatre manager Johann Teichmann asking him not to circulate the song, which appears to have been a private commission.

The song was performed exclusively for the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme by Christopher Glynn and Amy Williamson from the Royal College of Music.  Here is a link if you want to hear it:  www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27253167

THE BLUE – a fancy vivid blue pear-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 13.22 carats. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.  UPDATE: THIS MADE US$22,202,829

THE BLUE, the largest flawless vivid blue diamond in the world will lead Christie’s auction of Magnificent Jewels in Geneva on May 14.  Weighing 13.22 carats this sensational stone is estimated at US$21-25 million.  Six months ago Christie’s Geneva sold the Orange, the largest fancy vivid orange diamond in the world for US$35.5 million, a world record for an orange diamond and a world auction record price per carat for any diamond at US$2.4 million.  The Blue is the leading gem of the 250 lot strong sale which is estimated to make in the region of US$80 million.

The sale will feature important coloured and colourless diamonds such as The Ocean Dream, at 5.5 carats the largest fancy vivid blue-green diamond in the world, estimated at US$7.5-9.5 million. The light pink cut-corner square cut diamond of 76.51 carats is another rare coloured diamond in the sale. It is estimated at $7-10 million.  A pear shaped D-colour flawless diamond of 75.97 carats will lead the colourless diamonds in the sale. It is estimated at US$13.5-15.5 million.

(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for October 10, 2013).

A pear-shaped diamond weighing approximately 75.97 carats. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.  UPDATE: THIS MADE US$14,722,588

THE OCEAN DREAM courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.

Part of the impressive wine collection of Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, the most successful manager in British football history, is to be sold by Christie’s across three auctions in coming months. The collection includes fine and rare wines featuring Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundies and many finest First Growth Bordeaux ranging from the 1986 to 2011 vintages, during which time Sir Alex guided Manchester United through the most celebrated chapter in its history, winning two European Cups, 12 Premier League titles, five FA Cup victories, four League Cup victories, the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the Inter-Continental Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup.

Fine & Rare Wines from The Collection of Sir Alex Ferguson CBE will be offered in Hong Kong on May 24 with 257 lots, London on June 5 with 140 lots and at an online-only auction which will run from June 9 to 23 with 85 lots.  All  buyers in the online-only sale will receive a signed catalogue. Alongside some of the wines in the Hong Kong and London auctions, Christie’s will also be offering select pieces of signed footballing memorabilia. With estimates ranging from £350 to £65,000, the collection is expected to realise in excess of £3 million.

UPDATE:  THE Hong Kong auction realized US$3,799,365

FROM THE ONLINE SALE: 12 bottles of Pétrus 1988
estimate: £12,000 – 15,000 Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014.

6 bottles of Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 1999, which are offered with a Manchester United Retro Champions League shirt from 1999 signed “Best wishes Alex Ferguson”
estimate: HK$650,000-850,000/ £50,000-65,000/ €60,000-80,000 Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2014US$142,884

Antonio Stradivari (1644 – 1737) – The Macdonald viola 1719

THE finest viola in existence. The ‘Macdonald’ Viola by Antonio Stradivari (1644 – 1737) – will be offered in a sealed bid process this spring by  Sotheby’s and Ingles & Hayday.  The maker Stradivari has become synonymous with perfection in the field of musical instruments.  The ‘Macdonald’ of 1719 is one of only two violas made during Stradivari’s ‘Golden Period’ (1700 – 1720), which saw the production of his finest instruments.

A Stradivari viola is the ultimate prize for collectors. These violas are the rarest of all. Only ten survive.  His output during a long career included 600 violins and 50 cellos.  In terms of condition, beauty of appearance and playing quality, the ‘Macdonald’ is without peer. The viola will be offered through a sealed bid process, with bids expected in excess of US$45 million.

The ‘Macdonald’ viola was purchased for Peter Schidlof of the Amadeus Quartet in 1964 and is being offered for sale by the family of the late musician, who died in 1987. The ‘Macdonald’ has a long documented history, passing through the hands of many titled owners. It was purchased by Godfrey Bosville, the 3rd Baron Macdonald – from whom its names derives – in the 1820s.

Below is a link to a video which features rising star violinist David Aaron Carpenter performing on the Macdonald viola.

http://www.sothebys.com/content/sothebys/en/news-video/videos/2014/03/the-macdonald-viola-by-stradivari.html