[Op. 5]. Pelleas und Melisande [Study score]

Wien: Universal-Edition [PN U.E. 7036], 1922. Octavo. Full dark green cloth, titling gilt to spine. 1f. (title, instrumentation), 3-125, [1] (blank) pp.

Binding slightly rubbed; hinges partially split. Light browning to margins. First Edition of the study score, reduction of the full-size score issued 1920 (PN 3371). Rufer (E), p. 25. GA B/10, p. 43.

"At the time he composed this work, which was finished in February of 1903, Schönberg had no knowledge of Gabriel Fauré's 'Pelleas' theater music or Claude Debussy's opera, 'Pelléas et Mélisande,' which was premiered in Paris on April 30th, 1902... Before the premiere, conducted by the composer, on January 25th, 1905, in the main hall of the Musikverein - 'one of the critics recommended sticking me in an insane asylum, and storing all music paper well out of my reach' (1949) - Schönberg discussed his score with Gustav Mahler, to whom it 'seemed to be enormously complicated.' " Therese Muxeneder, website of the Arnold Schönberg Center, Vienna.