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Lot 187
Superb Leonard Bernstein Archive (1918-1990) American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was best known as the long-time music director of the New York Philharmonic, during which time he introduced the acclaimed Young People's Concerts series, wrote the music for West Side Story, Candide, and On the Town. He wrote three symphonies, two operas, five musicals, and numerous other pieces. Bernstein was one of the most influential figures in the history of American classical music and the first American born and educated conductor to receive worldwide acclaim. Archive of correspondence sent by Bernstein to Renée Longy Miquelle, with whom he studied score reading at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia (1939-41). The correspondence begins in 1940 and continues through 1972, but the majority are written in the 1940s and early 50s, and sparkle with Bernstein's youthful exuberance. There are over 55 autograph letters signed, typed letters signed, and cards, most signed "Lenny" or "Spooky," or just "L." and most with the original envelopes, which are sometimes signed "Bernstein" or "Leonard Bernstein" in the return address. There are also 39 postcards signed, miscellaneous programs, greeting cards, Western Union telegrams, and family photos. He writes from all over the world: Tel Aviv, Vienna, Paris, Mexico, Tanglewood, New York, etc., with much musical content, as he keeps his teacher and friend abreast of his life and work. He sometimes writes Renés's name in musical notes in the salutation and throws in French words and phrases and even a couple of entire letters are written in French. The archive also includes family photographs and four books signed by Bernstein: The Private World of Leonard Bernstein by Gruen and Heyman; The Joy of Music by Leonard Bernstein; The Infinite Variety of Music by Leonard Bernstein; and Henri Matisse Paper cut-Outs. Additionally, there is an unsigned copy of Leonard Bernstein: A Complete Catalog Of His Works (8/25/1978); The Unanswered Question: Six Talks at Harvard by Bernstein, in the original presentation box and accompanied by three 33 1/3 RPM records; and lastly, Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts for reading and listening, which consists of a book and seven 33 1/3 records. This archive should be examined in person to truly appreciate it.
Here are a few excerpts: July 1940 "…I've already learned Beethoven's 4th and Sheherezade. Starting Copland's Music for the Theatre today. Practising. Composing. …Aaron [Copland] told me that I might have to conduct Randall Thompson's Symph…." July '42 "…I have been elevated to 'assistant' [at Tanglewood]…I am doing jackal's work--but that's great experience for one who is too easily a lion." Dec. '42 "…I finished orchestrating the first movement of Jeremiah….tomorrow night I do Aaron's two-piano piece with him in Town Hall. And that has me tied up in knots…Don't you think I'm really very lucky, for a young Boston yokel only three months in New York?" Feb.'43 "I have suddenly made a totally unexpected Town Hall début. Aaron was to have played his Sonata at the Music Forum…but couldn't escape the clutches of Sam Goldwyn…I was asked at the last minute, and practised madly for a day, bought a suit of tails, played the Sonata, very successfully…and got lovely reviews…" Oct.'43 (from Carnegie Hall), "Steinway has just moved a piano into my room…" and "I haven't actually conducted yet. Monday the 18th is the first time…." Another Oct. '43 letter, "I have a wonderful customer for your (our) Baby Steinway, who will cheerfully pay you $15 a month." Jan. '45 "Well, the show has opened, and is a phenomenal hit…I would be a rich man, except that whatever money I get goes back to Uncle Samovitch for taxes….Now I am…for Pittsburgh next week…this time with a whole program including Fancy Free, the Ravel Concerto, Euryanthe and Brahms First…." Aug. '45 "Now that I have an orchestra I can't think why I have been so busy all my life….This is the real chance to do something alive and real in American music. With proper cooperation (and money) we can create the actual core of world musical activity….As long as we can make music that sings, that's fun, that seems fresh, we'll grow in spite of all sabotage…The main thing is that the tools are at hand with which to give music life." Aug. '47 From Tanglewood, "My concerts gave me a great joy. How I wish you could have heard The Sacre!" In a letter written in French in 1948 from Canada, he says that he saw Piatigorsky in Montreal, that he is giving a concert at the Metropolitan for the Gershwin Memorial Scholarship Fund, and that he is going to Paris to direct a two-week festival of America music. July '48 "Tanglewood…is…hectic and sleepless and full of music and Koussevitzky." Nov. '48, from Tel-Aviv, "This is a land of miracles…" Dec. '51 "…marriage is fascinanting, Felicia is marvelous in every way…There is a little opera in the making…I have even begun a piano sonata…" Dec. '53 "…It seems incredible--10 years--Aaron 10 yrs. older, me married & a papa (and what a girl I've got!) And there in Milano, 10 years, I had one of my old-fashioned triumphs--a real first--opera at La Scala, one of the great experiences of my life. Isn't it wonderful that…there can still be something I'm doing for the first time?" June '67 "I've just arrived in Vienna…Now the big Mahler week….I have to return subito to New York for conferences with Jerry Robbins about our new work--whatever it will be."
Estimated Value $30,000 - 50,000.
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