Messiah: The Wordbook for the Oratorio (Limited and Signed By Barry Moser and Christophe Hogwood)
(New York 1992): Willa Perlman Books. First Edition. Quarto. Item #028447
Limited to 150 copies, the present copy is #45, Words selected from the Holy Scripture by Charles Jennens, Introduction by Christopher Hogwood and illustrated by Barry Moser of the libretto for Handel's work. The limited edition sold out before Christmas in 1992. It has become very scarce since it embraces both Christmas and Handel's most famous masterpiece. In his autobiography Moser writes: To this end I have built an extensive library and a bulging scrap file from which I borrow and steal freely, being, as I am, unconcerned about originality. I think of myself, as Christopher Hogwood said about George Frideric Handel, as an artist who polishes other men’s stones into jewels a bricoleur, if you will, a user of discarded things. Specially bound in black cloth centrally stamped with a sylelized p and x in gilt,spine lettering gilt blocked in red. A fine copy housed within a fine publisher's red cloth covered slipcase.
Price: $425.00