Magnificat for 2 Sopranos, Mixed Chorus, 2 Pianos and Instruments. Vocal Score [by] Luciano Berio ("for the 30th Anniversary of Susan and Norman Pearson") [and:] Orchestral Score [by] Luciano Berio ("for the 30th Anniversary of Susan and Norman Pearson")

(New York): Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp, 1971. First American edition(s); vocal score and orchestral score, both dedication copies, inscribed by Luciano Berio to Mr. and Mrs. Pearson, publisher's 'Complimentary Copy' (rubberstamped by publisher on title page of each score). Two separate publications; 1) Vocal Score: quarto, blue wrappers printed in black, pp. [iv], 44 pages, stapled [and] 2) Orchestral Score: quarto, blue wrappers printed in black, pp. [iv], 74, stapled. 2 vols. Faint offset marking on front cover of both the Vocal Score and the Orchestral Score (offsetting from mailing envelope), else both publications are in very good condition. Custom light blue cloth drop box, with the original mailing envelope, addressed to the Pearson's in Luciano Berio's ink holograph. First American edition(s); vocal score and orchestral score, both dedication copies, inscribed by Luciano Berio to Mr. and Mrs. Pearson, publisher's 'Complimentary Copy' (rubberstamped by publisher on title page of each score). Two separate publications; 1) Vocal Score: quarto, blue wrappers printed in black, pp. [iv], 44 pages, stapled [and] 2) Orchestral Score: quarto, blue wrappers printed in black, pp. [iv], 74, stapled. 2 vols. Italian composer Luciano Berio (1925-2003) studied at the Milan Conservatory; in 1952 he studied with Luigi Dallapiccola at Tanglewood, and later taught at Mills College and eventually Julliard. He won the Prix Italia in 1966 and became an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music (in 1988). "Though personally disparaging the term, Luciano Berio has remained the controversial avant-garde Italian composer that he was from the beginning of his career... Berio may be to contemporary music what Pirandello was to Italian drama. Employing various media in search of an ideal synthesis, he adheres to the expression of 'a multiplicity of things and a plurality of functions,' having mostly to do with progressive musical theatre... the world premiere of Sinfonia probably did more than any other work to dramatize Berio's career. As one of 18 commissions for the New York Philharmonic's 125th anniversary, it gained the greatest approbation... The completed work may well represent a milestone not only for Berio but for contemporary music" [The International Cyclopedia of Music and Musicians].

Dedication copy of both the Vocal Score and the Orchestral Score; two separate items, each inscribed by Luciano Berio):
1) Vocal Score, inscribed and signed by Luciano Berio on the title page (in year of publication): "To Mr. and Mrs. Pearson,/ magnificent friends, with/ great admiration/ Luciano Berio/ Dec. 1971." The publisher's printed dedication (on page [iv]) states: "for the 30th Anniversary of Susan and Norman Pearson," and rubberstamped by publisher ("Complimentary Copy") on title page.

2) Orchestral Score, inscribed and signed by Luciano Berio (on page [iii]): "Dec. 1971/ To Mr. and Mrs. N. H. Pearson/ in memory of a wonderful/ occasion, with all my friendship/ Luciano Berio." The publisher's printed dedication (on page [iv]) states: "for the 30th Anniversary of Susan and Norman Pearson," and rubberstamped by publisher ("Complimentary Copy") on title page.