Sorabji Resource Site: Inscriptions in Scores and Books and on Photographs

Inscriptions in Scores and Books and on Photographs

This page lists the inscriptions made by Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji in the following types of sources, as found by chance in archival collections, library catalogues, and catalogues of second-hand dealers:

Copies of his published scores
Collections of his essays
Books by other authors
Photographs of himself given to friends

The list includes items with inscriptions available on the second-hand market. Links to sites such as AbeBooks.com, where such items are often found, may no longer work once an item has been sold; this also applies to the dealers’ sites, but not systematically, .

This compilation most likely represents only a sample of the composer’s surviving inscriptions. The fact that copies continue to appear on the second-hand market shows that valuable copies have been in private collections for years.

Owners of items with inscriptions by Sorabji or people who have seen such items in libraries, are welcome to contact me with the details so that they can be added to the list. In the case of privately owned items, I will always state that they are “in a private collection”; in other words, I will not identify the owner.

Ashworth, Edward Clarke (or Edward Nason)

“To my dearest Edward his always dearest K.” In a copy of the Fantaisie espagnole (1919; 23 pp.) offered by Lisa Cox Music (Catalogue 25, Autumn 1992, no. 84).
“For my dearest Edward:– his most and always devoted comrade K.” [dated 14 March 1928]. In a copy of the Symphony [no. 1] for Organ (1924; 81 pp.) offered by Lisa Cox Music (Catalogue 25, Autumn 1992, no. 86).
“To my dear Edward his affectionate and devoted K”. In a copy of Around Music (1932) offered by Sotheby’s on 19 May 1989.

Best, Reginald Norman

“To my dear friend Reggie Best. / [A]ll good wishes from his ever affectionate [K]. / The Perpetrator of this ’ere. / XVIII.I.MCMXLIV.” In a copy of Around Music in a private collection.
“To my [unreadable word] Mizz Mazz / With oceans of love from his / eternally Tizz Wozz [=] R.N.B. for K.S.S.” In a copy of the Fantasiettina sul nome illustre dell’egregio poeta Christopher Grieve ossia Hugh M’Diarmid (1961; 10 pp.) in the collection of the Royal Academy of Music.

Beecham, Sir Thomas

“Sir Thomas Beecham Bart, with the composer’s compliments, 10 Dec. 1923”. In a copy of the score of the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra [no. 5] (1920; 144 pp.) in the Sir Thomas Beecham Library at the University of Sheffield under call number BEECHAM Q314; 200471314.

Blom, Eric

“To Eric Blom with the perpetrator’s best wishes (12.8.24)”. In a copy of the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra [no. 5] (1920; 144 pp.) in the collection of the Victoria Library (Westminster Music Library) under barcode 30117032141414.
A copy of Mi contra fa inscribed to Blom is also part of the collection according to the card catalogue, but can no longer be found the shelves (confirmed by the Library in 2009).

Borowsky, Alexander: “À Monsieur Borowsky avec les compliments de l’auteur”. In a copy of the Sonata seconda for Piano (1920; 49 pp.) offered by J. & J. Lubrano Music Antiquarians (Syosset, NY) on 10 November 2020.

Brewer, George Mackenzie: “Kaikhosru Sorabji to George Brewer / 10.7.XXIII”. In copies of the editions of the Trois poèmes pour chant et piano (1918, 1919; 9 pp.) and the Quintet no. 1 for Piano and Quartet of Stringed Instruments (1919-20; 72 pp.). Given to the Library of the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal in 1948-49 and found under call numbers M/1621/S713/P744/1921 and M/512/S713/Q7/no1.

Chisholm, Erik: “To my dear friend Erik with love from K.” (with three corrections in Sorabji’s hand). In a copy of Mi contra fa offered by Travis & Emery in April 2013.

Davey, Frank G.: “To my true friend Frank Davey, in commiseration (if so he will!) of XIII. VI. MCMLXI., from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji”. In a copy of Mi contra fa in a private collection.

Davies, E. Emlyn

“To Mr. Emlyn Davies:– / fine musician and accomplished organist — / in memory of a splendid performance of / ‘Ad Nos ad Salutarem Undam’ / best wishes and kindest regards / of Kaikhosru Sorabji / 1926”. In a copy of the Symphony [no. 1] for Organ (1924; 81 pp.) sold on eBay in January 2017 (from the collection of Yonty Solomon).
“To my friend E. Emlyn Davies: / his very gratefully and sincerely / in memory of May 17th 1928 / Kaikhosru Shapurji”. In a copy no. 3 of the special edition of the Sonata seconda for Piano (1920; 49 pp.) in a private collection.
“To my friend E. Emlyn Davies: / who cannot be sufficiently thanked / for his splendid work upon my Organ Symphony on May 17th 1928. / Kaikhosru Sorabji”. In a copy of the Sonata III for Piano (1922; 75 pp.) in a private collection.
“To my friend E. Emlyn Davies:– True artist and musician in memory of his splendid interpretation of the writer’s work on May 17, 1928”. In copy no. 7 of the special edition of the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra [no. 5] (1920; 144 pp.) in the Mary Flagler Cary Music Collection at the Pierpont Morgan Library (New York), accession no. PMC 0330.

Edroff-Smith, Emily: “To darling Auntie Edroff / with K’s love / [9.2.25] / Thiss iss a pritty littel peece — play itt bye hart. / Good-nite. / Repeat till green in the face and black in the eyes (neighbours!) / in orl the kees — Practice also with tip of nose, left ear, and right foot toes / The exercise may also be profitably studied by standing on one[’]s head behind the piano and reaching over the top.” Accompanying a humorous piano exercise consisting of one bar containing eight semiquavers with leaps of more than an octave and spanning some four octaves of the keyboard, to be played by either hand with a specific fingering written in a copy of the Sonata III for Piano (1922; 75 pp.) in a private collection.

Engel, Carl: “For Mr. Carl Engel with friendly regards and remembrance”. In a copy of Opus clavicembalisticum (1929-30; 253 pp.) sold by Schubertiade Music (Newton, MA) on 5 April 2018.

Ewing, Cecil

All the volumes listed below are in the Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji Collection (Cecil Ewing material) in the Archives & Research Collections at McMaster University (Hamilton, ON). Call numbers or box/folder references are given at the end of the citations.

Long inscription to the “Devoted Devil’s Disciple” in a letter dated 30 January 1948 {7/unnumbered}.
“To my dear friend Cecil. Xmas MCMLXI. from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji.” In a copy of Persian Miniatures, photographs by Werner Forman, text by Věra Kubíčková, translated by R. Finlayson-Samsour (London: Spring Books, [1956]).
“Cecil Ewing Corfe 26.9.61.” In a copy of Marcel Aymé, Le confort intellectuel (Paris: Flammarion, 1949).
“For Cecil Ewing: from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji XXXI. iii. MCMLII.” In a copy of Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy, The Bugbear of Literacy (London: Dennis Dobson Ltd., 1947).
“To Cecil Ewing from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji Corfe Castle 26.9.61.” In a copy of Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn, Liberty or Equality: The Challenge of Our Time (London: Hollis & Carter, [1952]).
“To my old friend Cecil Ewing from his ‘obliged’ Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji XII.VI.MCMLVI.” In a copy of Hugh MacDiarmid, Francis George Scott: An Essay on the Occasion of His Seventy-Fifth Birthday, 25 January 1955 (Edinburgh: Macdonald, 1955).
“To my very good friend Dr. Cecil Ewing greetings and good wishes from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji Xmas MCMLIX”. In a copy of B. W. Robinson, Persian Miniatures (Oxford: Cassier, [1957?]).
“To my Dear Friend Cecil. Xmas MCMLXI. from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji.” In a copy of R. C. Zaehner, The Teachings of the Magi (London: Allen & Unwin [1956]).

Gentieu, Norman P.

“Greetings to Norman Gentieu Esq from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji”. In a copy of Hugh MacDiarmid, Francis George Scott: An Essay on the Occasion of His Seventy-Fifth Birthday, 25 January 1955 (Edinburgh: Macdonald, 1955) in the Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji Collection (Norman P. Gentieu material).
“With very cordial regards and greetings to Norman Gentieu from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji / III.IV.MCMXLVIII”. In a copy of Opus clavicembalisticum (1929-30; 253 pp.) in the collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia under call number M786.4 SO6 Adult Reference.

Gray-Fisk, Clinton: “The Devil to the Devil Disciple. May MCMXXVI”. In a copy of the published score of the Symphony [no. 1] for Organ (1924; 81 pp.) that most probably belonged to Gray-Fisk, now in a private collection.

Hinton, Alistair: “For you – mon très cher / For my very dear and very precious friend that you are — A — unique in clairvoyant insight / intuitive sympathy and penetrating / understanding ..[.] with infinite affection / from his ever — K — sempiternally / devoted. / (As a commemoration of that supermemorable day Marc[h] 23 — 1976”. In a photocopy of Around Music in the Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji Collection {box 9, item #5}. The day referred to in the inscription is that on which Sorabji announced to Hinton that he had given Yonty Solomon his permission for performances of his works.

Holliday, Frank

All the volumes listed below are found in the Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji Collection in the Archives & Research Collections at McMaster University (Hamilton, ON). Call numbers or box/folder references are given at the end of the citations.

“To friend Frank Holliday all good wishes from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji, 21/vi/41, A.D.(?)”. In a copy of T. E. Shaw, The Odyssey of Homer (New York: Oxford University Press, 1940); Res. Coll. PA 4025 .A5L3 1940.
“To my dear friend Frank Holliday who combines generosity of heart[,] depth of sensibility and keenness of perception to an extent that is rare indeed in these days of Total Eunuchism: with many affectionate regards from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji. XIX/VII/MCMXLI”. On a photograph of himself; {15/F.2}.
“To my dear friend Frank Holliday all good things from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji VIII VI MCMXLV”. On a photograph of himself by Joan Muspratt; {15/F.4}.
“To dear friend Frank Holliday: all good and all blessings everywhere and always K. 14 September 1951”. In a copy of Mi contra fa; Res. Coll. ML 410 .S6874 A3 1947.
“For Frank from K. Xmas 1951”. In a copy of Paul Wescher, ed., Old Towns and Cities in Drawings of the Fifteenth to the Nineteenth Century (Basle: Holbein Publishing Co., 1946); Res. Coll. N 8213 .A48l3 1946.
“For my very dear friend Frank (Holliday) to give him the first far idea of the heart breaking bravery of my maternal homeland. ... His very devoted friend, K. 19 November 1955”. In a copy of Touring Club Italiano, Sicilia (Milan, 1940); Res. Coll. DG 862 .T68 1940.
“Loving Wishes for Xmas 1959 to F. from K.” In a copy of B. W. Robinson, Persian Miniatures (Oxford: Bruno Cassirer, 1957); Res. Coll. ND 3241 .A1R62 1957.
“To dear Frank with love from K.” In a copy of The Gulistan or Rose Garden of Sa’di (London: Allen & Unwin, 1964); Res. Coll. PK 6541 .G2 R4 1964.
“To dear Frank Holliday for whose untiring friendship, support and affection I cannot begin to express what I owe. Bless him in aeternitatem. K. (Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji.)”. On a photograph referred to by Holliday as “the Sicilian one” and “received from K. in January, 1974”; {15/F.3}.
“Given to my very dear Frank Holliday as a sort of sour Christmas Gift. / MCMLXV”. In the manuscript of The Fruits of Misanthropy, being The Animadversions of a Machiavellian; {box 9, item #4}.
“Gord! Aint it orful!!! Much love to you dears. K. VI.VIII.MCMLXXVII”. On a photograph of himself in old age marked “Received from K. on August 12th. 1977”; {15/F.5}.

Lees, Aubrey: “To my friend Captain Aubrey Lees / o si sic aliquanti Britannorum!!! / Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji / [transcription of the full text “Or, gloire au seul Vivant!” quoted in the manuscript of the Symphony [no. 2], “Jāmī”, for Large Orchestra, Wordless Chorus, and Baritone Solo (1942-51; 826 pp.)] / X.VI.MCMLIII A.D.”. On the flyleaf of a copy of Mi contra fa in a private collection.

MacDiarmid, Hugh: Copy of Opus clavicembalisticum (1929-30; 253 pp.) bearing the autographs of both Sorabji and MacDiarmid (dedicatee). Copy in the collection of the Edward Johnson Music Library at the University of Toronto, under call number musi O-8 208 (Rare Book).

Peterkin, Norman: “Kaikhosru Sorabji to N.P. 24.10.17” on a copy of a photograph by Ernest Walter Histed. Published on Sean Vaughn Owen’s Facebook page on 5 December 2021.

Rowley, Alec

“To Mr Alec Rowley from his very own swami Kaikhosru Sorabji. April 16 MCMXXIII”. In a copy of Marmaduke Pickthall, trans., The Meaning of the Glorious Khan: An Explanatory Translation (London: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930). Offered by Claude Cox Old & Rare Books (Ipswitch) in 2008 and by Schubertiade Music in 2009.
“For Mr. Alec Rowley — / greetings from / Kaikhosru Sorabji. / 30. XII.’XXXI”. In a copy of Opus clavicembalisticum (1929-30; 253 pp.) in the collection of the library at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance under call number 781.4 SOR.

Rutland, Harold

All the volumes listed below are held by the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance (London). Call numbers are given at the end of the citations.

“To Harold Rutland / with the commiseration of the / author K.S. 11-4.24”. In a copy of the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra [no. 5] (1920; 144 pp.); 782.99 SOR (one of two copies).
“Harold Rutland / with K. Sorabji’s best wishes. / 3.3.25”. An inscription in pencil by Rutland reads: “KS inscribed this when he came to see me in Cheyne Walk. That evening, I remember, I asked him how old he was, and he replied immediately ’twenty-eight’ [which gives 1896 as birth year]. In later years he refused to divulge his age.” In a copy of the published score of the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra [no. 5] (1920; 144 pp.); 782.99 SOR (one of two copies).
“Harold — / with best wishes from / Kaikhosru / 10.2.28”. In a copy of the Valse-fantaisie for Piano (1925; 16 pp.); 781.4 SOR.
“To Harold: greetings and / all good things from / Kaikhosru”. This copy contains handwritten corrections in pencil (in pen on p. 5) on pp. 5-19, 28, 58. The flyleaf, in Sorabji’s hand (?), has the inscription “vide [this stands for a graphic symbol that cannot be reproduced] copy for alternative close to Pars prima” and, on the cover, “To be corrected”. In a copy of Opus clavicembalisticum (1929-30; 253 pp.); 781.4 SOR (one of three copies).

Solomon, Yonty

“To dear Yonty (Yonty Solomon) Uraufführung of Sonata III (mea culpa mea maxima Culpa!!) XI.VI.MCMLXXVII”. Verso — “Dedication / To stick in your copy of III (if you would that is![)] K.S.S.” Card formerly in possession of Yonty Solomon.
“I don[’]t know if I told you I have dedicated the THIRD SONATA to you. It was undedicated so I felt that you should have it! It was facing the bay of Naples with Il Vesuvio over there to the left… My room was high up over Nap.[les] with a view.” Undated card formerly in possession of Yonty Solomon.
“for my dear friend Yonty, with much love from Alistair [Hinton] (Sept., 1990)”, “this, the very last printed copy of this work is and shall remain the sole property of Yonty Solomon and shall not be given or lent to anyone else under any circumetances [sic?] (.!!).” In a copy of the Prelude, Interlude, and Fugue for Piano (1920, 1922; 17 pp.) offered by Travis & Emery (London) on 3 February 2020.

Stevenson, Ronald: “Greetings to Ronald Stevenson from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji. IV. VII. MCMLXVI. A.D.”. On a photograph (dated ca. 1950) published in Ronald Stevenson’s edition of the Fantasiettina sul nome illustre dell’egregio poeta Christopher Grieve ossia Hugh M’Diarmid (1961; 10 pp.) published by Bardic Edition in 1987.

Straram, Walther: “à Monsieur Walther Straram / avec les compliments de l’Auteur”. In a copy of the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra [no. 5] (1920; 144 pp.) in a private collection.

Unknown: “All’amico Sconosciuto, all’unico. Che finora mai. 1922”. In a copy of the Sonata III for Piano (1922; 75 pp.) in the collection of the Music Library of Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) under call number M23.S632 no.3 (copy 2).

Unknown: “Have you [.] read this? What??!! No???!!! Gesu-Maria!!! Then its high time you did!! [.] of friend Mr. Anglo-Saxon from Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji.” In a copy of Mi contra fa offered by Travis & Emery (London) on 15 May 2019.

Viñes, Ricardo

“à Monsieur Ricardo Viñes / compliments de Kaikhosru Sorabji”. In a copy of the Fantaisie espagnole (1919; 23 pp.) in the collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia under call number M786.4 SO611.
Similar inscriptions in the scores of the Two Piano Pieces (1918, 1920; 20 pp.) and the Sonata no. 1 for Piano (1919; 42 pp.) found at the Free Library of Philadelphia under call numbers M786.4 SO6111 Adult Reference and M786.41 SO6 Adult Reference.

White, Felix Harold

Copies of three works held by the Victoria Library (Westminster Music Library) are “inscribed by the composer”:
- Sonata no. 1 for Piano (1919; 42 pp.); item barcode 30117017174307.
- Concerto for Piano and Orchestra [no. 5] (1920; 144 pp.); item barcode 30117032141414.
- Sonata seconda for Piano (1920; 49 pp.); item barcode 30117017174331 (one of two copies).
The same library also own copies of the following works, also from White’s collection:
- Trois fêtes galantes de Verlaine (ca. 1919; 11 pp.); item barcode 30117008675197.
- Sonata III for Piano (1922; 75 pp.); item barcode 30117011111586. This score has the inscription, apparently in Sorabji’s hand, at the top of the first page of music: “Dedicated to Yonty Solomon (retrospectively)”.
See also the entry for George Woodhouse. Other Sorabji items without inscriptions are also part of the collection.

Woodhouse, George

“To George Woodhouse Esq. With the Composer’s Compliments: 25.2.24”. In a copy of the Sonata seconda for Piano (1920; 49 pp.) in the collection of the Victoria Library (Westminster Music Library); the inscription is not mentioned in the citation under item barcode 30117009916830 (one of two copies).
“George Woodhouse Esq. With the composer’s best wishes. Jan. MCMXXV”. In a copy of the Prelude, Interlude, and Fugue for Piano (1920, 1922; 17 pp.) in the collection of the Victoria Library (Westminster Music Library); the inscription is not mentioned in the citation under item barcode 30117011109051.