Lenny thank you for being so kind, and please write when you can.
Rurally yours,
Farley
245. Leonore Goldstein80 to Leonard Bernstein
1141 Hampton Park Drive, Richmond Heights, MO
30 January 1947
Dear Leonard,
There are three reasons which impel me to send these lines to you – and I don't know which to name first – yes – I think I do – it's your engagement to be married.
Mrs. [Kate] Ratcliffe confirmed what I had read in the Times. I am never certain when such items appear in the daily press, but I do believe Mrs. Ratcliffe so here are the very heartiest good wishes for your, and your sweetheart's, happiness – and may it continue to the end of time. I know she is lovely or you would not have chosen her.
Thanks over and over for the fine Leonore III Overture. I sat here along with my best concert concentration and listened reverently and so admiringly for your really wonderful Beethoven VIIth. No one could have conducted it better: it was a delight and I wish I could have joined the Providence audience in applauding.
I fear I shall not hear the next radio concert on Tuesday, for I shall be with relatives in New York and Heaven only knows what my granddaughter has planned for that evening.
Will you conduct the Bostonians in New York? If so, I simply must get into the hall – but how? I know the concerts are sold out. Has the conductor enough influence to melt Mr. Judd's icy heart and have him sell me a seat anywhere in the Hall? I shall be in New York from Feb 3 to Feb 17th and I am hoping that your New York concerts come during these dates.
That you should be conducting that great orchestra for a month is a real triumph – and you – a youngster – under thirty.
My thanks for the pleasure you gave last Tuesday, and much love from
Leonore III
246. Felicia Montealegre to Leonard Bernstein
[Hollywood, CA]
Thursday night, 6 February [1947]
Lenny, my darling, my darling!
First of all, today is my birthday – I am a quarter of a century old, a very frightening fact! It is also a year ago that I sat at your feet, a little drunk but terribly exhilarated at the Arraus'. All day I've been wanting to telephone you and it took a lot of self control not to do so – it seemed rather silly. However …
Just came back from the Kellys [Gene and Betsy] where I saw – yes – Of Mice & Men – I feel drained and weak, it's so great! It's difficult to believe that it came out of Hollywood. I kept thinking of you all through it and listening attentively to Aaron's fabulous score, and remembering the things you had mentioned and loved.
The biggest thing that has happened to me since you left is the most beautiful, warm, affectionate black cocker spaniel puppy in the world who is at this moment biting at my pen while I write. She's mine, my very own! I bought her a week ago having fallen in love at first sight (pedigree papers and all for $35). Stanley Donen81 christened her Nebish, which she isn't at all but the name stuck. I didn't know whether I'd be able to keep her at first (as a matter of fact it still isn't certain). I've gone through tortures because of David, who I am convinced now is verging on insanity. He decided to cross Joanie who was with me when I bought her and loved the idea of a puppy; he reacted in such a strange way and in a Captain Bligh fashion, told me I must “get rid of her” cause she would interfere with his work! She's been such a good girl though (of course I'm constantly taking her out) and I haven't found anyone who'll take care of her for me until my life is settled – he hasn't brought the subject up again, but I'm living with a Damocles' sword precariously swinging over my head. I refuse to give her up – we've become inseparable. You'd love her – everybody does (except David of course). A propos, I could talk to you about him for hours – he really worries me. I think he's quite sick.
Oh sweetie – your concert! I finally heard it last Tuesday. It's useless to even try to tell you how magnificent it was – j'étais tellement fière de toi! I'm dying to hear the next – it's so frustrating to know you've already played it and we don't hear it till next week!
Stanley gave me a party at his apartment last night – I didn't know it was for me until midnight when for no apparent reason the lights were turned off and in comes Gene with a lighted cake which Betsy baked herself, and everybody singing the “happy, happy”. I fought back the usual tears but could have bawled for hours – aren't they wonderful? Tonight Joan had a special dinner for me – just us and Adolph [Green] and Allyn [Ann McLerie] – with another cake and more candles to blow and wishes granted. It was sweet, but I could have felt more cheerful. Sometimes I miss you so much I actually feel sick to my stomach.
Your father gave me the surprise of my life – such a nice affectionate letter – I just loved him for it.
Thank you for the check. The great Montealegre career is at a complete standstill – I am seriously contemplating going back, defeated but healthy! The only trouble is though that I won't get a job in New York either! Oh shit.
I will have you know for further reference that I have a learner's permit and will have a license next week. I drive alone all over the place, up hill and down dale, heavy traffic and all – and I'm great! So there!!
What's with you? You never really tell me how you feel – is that so difficult? I don't believe it. Are you still terribly worried and depressed about things, or have you decided not to think about it at all. I keep wondering about you and wishing I could be with you – you always sound so happy and communicative over the telephone, but unfortunately your letters leave me “con gusto a poco!” I know, you warned me.
When are you due back in New York – please write me soon, this place is bad enough without your making things worse.
My love to your family – of course it's good to be home again. I rather envy you. Where's Shirley and what are her plans?
Boss darling – good night – much much love and many many kisses.
Fely
247. Bette Davis to Leonard Bernstein
Butternut, Sugar Hill, Franconia, NH
[?February 1947]82
Lennie,
How really thoughtful of you to write me about my attempt to be a pianist in Deception. From you it meant very much, as you can imagine. You were conducting in Boston the other day – and here I am with my project sitting not far away – and unable to come down and hear you. I would have so much loved it. You are doing wonderful things and I am always somewhere else. I read about it though and always the things said are complimentary – and of course I think that is as it should be. Your signed photograph is now on my wall – and a proud possession. It is really exciting about the baby – and so unbelievable to me – but at this point there is definite evidence so I must believe it.
Really so many thanks for your letter – I beamed for days.
Love,
Bette
248. Leonard Bernstein to Helen Coates
Rochester, NY
26 February 194783
Dear H,
I. Testimonial for [Menahem] Pressler: A genuine pianistic poet.
II. The Palestine program, as I recall, is:
Schumann #2
Jeremiah
Ravel Concerto.
III. Brussels: Everything seems to be by Aaron or me! I would like to divide the program into three parts, for instance:
Movies: Copland (both suites) appr. 20 min.
Ballet: Fancy Free (appr. 25 min.)
Theatre: Gershwin–Bennett Porgy (appr. 14′)
This would make a nice program, but short (roughly an hour). If satisfactory, this should be it. Otherwise I'll have to cast about for another ballet & play On the Town with Porgy. Undertow is a possibility, but I don't like it. Furthermore, to be really representative about American film music, I should play something like the Spellbound score,84 but I can't stand that kind of Hollywood stuff. Which leaves only Aaron, which precludes a Copland ballet. Would you explain all this to the man and get his reaction?
V. Diamond. I think someone should be put in charge of a fund – not us: we've had our share. Won't Margaret do it? Or, if not, Olga or Mrs. Hirschman. I think musicians should be tapped first; Rodzinsky, Szell, Monteux, Kouss, Dimitri, also Smallens etc. – all the conductors who have ever played D's music. Also composers: Alec Wilder, Hanson, Goddard Lieberson, etc., etc. I think chief contributor should be Alice Berezowsky.86 I'm serious: she started it.
VI. We are staying overnight in or around Vassar after the concert, leaving next day for Providence. I could go back to N.Y. with you if you can get me a flight to Prov[idence] next day. Although it makes a lot of extra traveling. Don't you think it's simpler to stay over?
Love,
L
249. Adolph Green to Leonard Bernstein
[Hollywood, CA]
[February 1947]
Dollink Lennie,
What is there to say?
You are brilliant, brash, you (28) – I am fat, old (49 ½)87 and feeble. In short, what is there to say?
Betty & I are Hollywood successes, it seems. Good News is about to go before the camera, causing a minor revolution at M.G.M. No picture has ever before been done there without 4 years of preparation, 15 scripts, etc., etc.
Now we are grappling with the horns of an Arthur Freed dilemma. We've been offered a second picture, at mightily increased salaries, and a plum it is by M.G.M. standards: a G-R-E-E-A-A-T-T SCREEN CREDIT. Easter Holiday88 – with J. Garland, G. Kelly, F. Sinatra, K. Grayson.89 All songs by Irving Berlin & we would have to work with Irving B. – naturally we won't stay in Hollywood but Freed has told us that he can arrange for us to write the bulk of it in N.Y. We are therefore tempted.
Maybe we'll write this thing & be finished just in time for us to write a big, successful show together next winter.
Glad that I didn't marry A.A.90 out here – double, double doubts – but away with them!!
I feel completely sure now that I want to marry her, and I'm very anxious to get back and do it.91
Will you be around at the end of March? We'll make it then. You must be on hand.
Love to everyone,
Adolph
There's an item in the Sunday Times about the Hammerstein Rodgers show Allegro. Rodgers says “it will combine dance, music and drama as an integrated unit”.92
About time too. It's an unprecedented notion, very daring, never before attempted – Ahhhh! – shit, fuck, balls!!!
P.S. I love you.
Our associate producer, one Roger Edens,93 is a great fan of yours, but very displeased with your Boston program. He complains about that Beethoven & Schubert junk and feels it's ruining your career to have to play it. I'm just passing along this opinion for what it's worth. Stick to the moderns, he says.
250. Leonard Bernstein to Renée Longy Miquelle
Lehigh Valley Railroad [on board train]
3 March 1947
Chère Re-La-Mi [written in musical notation: D-A-E, i.e. Re-La-Mi],
Thinking of you on this ghastly train (ghastly pen!), even to the point of recalling your address. So many things made me think of you – a man from Baltimore next to me at lunch, Homemade pies on the menu; Claude's appearance backstage in Symphony Hall – etc. etc.94
I'm beginning a week's tour with the Rochester orch. and I'm up to my neck in penicillin. Overtired, I guess, and inevitable consequences. I'll live.
Will I see you before I go to Europe April 9th?
Love,
Spooky
251. Sid Ramin to Leonard Bernstein
32 West 53rd Street, New York, NY
[March 1947]
Dear Lenny,
Just a note to congratulate you on your engagement and to wish you continued happiness and success. I guess I ought to apologize for not using your “secret” phone number and letting you know how I'm making out, but I guess you know me by now.
Incidentally, your engagement came as quite a surprise (I don't know why it should) and now you've got me thinking about whether I ought to be next.95
The recordings I was so proud of several months ago, and wanted you to hear, have since lost a lot of the original appeal (as far as my wanting to play them for people). I guess that's a good sign, although I still think there are some good spots worth listening.
However, if I have to bring some recording to use as an excuse to see you and your new phonograph, I think I can manage to pick a few better ones, twenty or thirty!!
Really, Lenny, I'd like to see you and ask a bit of advice in regards to quite a few things that are popping here; also keep you posted on what the past year and a half in N.Y. has held for me. And then, of course, I'd like to see you without having the meet through lots of people, for a change. So …
Of course, I don't know where this letter will find you, but when you get back to N.Y. (if you're away right now), how about a letter and an appointment?96
Best regards to everyone,
Sid
252. Leonard Bernstein to Serge Koussevitzky
Park Hotel, Tel Aviv, Israel
25 April 1947
Dear Serge Alexandrovich,
If you ever wanted to be involved in a historical moment, this is it.97 The people are remarkable; life goes on in spite of bombs, police, everything. There is a strength and devotion in these people that is formidable. They will never let their land be taken from them; they will die first. And the country is beautiful beyond description. It is a real tropical vacation for me, with the wonderful Mediterranean and the sweet, warm spring.
The orchestra is fine, and I am having a great success. [Charles] Munch has just finished his weeks here, and we finally met: he came to my rehearsal this morning, and was so excited that he wants to arrange a big concert for me in Paris. Tant mieux.
I miss you, and can't wait to return to Tanglewood. Please don't be worried about me; the bombs fly, but the newspapers exaggerate.
My love to Olga, and to you my deepest devotion,
Leonard
253. Leonard Bernstein to Aaron Copland
Hotel Castiglione, Paris, France
27 May 1947
Old Charmer!
It's done. Fait. The Symphony's98 been heard. Two days ago in Prague.
First I must say it's a wonderful work. Coming to know it so much better I find in it new lights and shades – and new faults. Sweetie, the end is a sin. You've got to change. Stop the presses! We must talk – about the whole last movement, in fact.
The reactions were mixed. Too long, said some. Too eclectic, said Shostakovich (he should talk!). It lacks a real Adagio, said Kubelík. Not up my street, said Wee Willie Walton. And everyone found Chaikovsky's Fifth in it, which only proves their inanity. I haven't seen the press yet, but I think it will be good. It just wasn't a wow, that's all; it was solid, it was serious. The orchestra was exhausted (end of the festival), and the rehearsals were nightmares. (We had six!) But at the concerts they played marvelously. Even to catching our private rubatos in the third movement
which, by the way, is my favorite part. That's the real inspiration – the real Aaronchen. I could make out fine anti cases for mov'ts I & II (and of course IV) but not III. That's my personal wow.
By the way, I do it awfully well, and I'd love to do it in the States. Maybe Tangle[wood] – well, maybe the City Center.
There is much to say. Letters are impossible. But won't you write me and tell about May and Harvard and the Virgil [Thomson] Opera and where you are and Koussie and Victor [Kraft] and everyone? And D[avid] D[iamond]?
If you write me to Holland I'll be sure to get it. I'm there June 8–13. Write now, and they'll hold it for me. G. de Koos, Noordeinde 62A, Den Haag, Holland.
Palestine was a real thrill. More later. Will you be in NYC for my stadium week?
Love, Love,
L
254. Aaron Copland to Leonard Bernstein
Mexico, D.F.
&n
bsp; 4 June 1947
Young Charmer!
Just received your forwarded Paris letter and I'm dashing a hasty reply on the chance that it will reach you in Holland. It was fun to read the various reactions to the Symph – including your own. I've decided that it's a tough job to write an almost 40 min. piece which is perfect throughout. That's about all I'll concede for the moment! You were an angel to struggle with rehearsals at the tail-end of a Festival. The part of your letter I liked best, of course, was your saying you'd like to do it zum States.
Didn't I tell you I was coming to Mexico to conduct the Symph myself? I've had 3 rehearsals already and the concert is still 2 weeks away. My main trouble is giving cues for entrances. Well, anyhow it's very good experience and I'm getting a kick out of it. (Kouss said to me before I left “If you ruin my Symph I vil keel you.”)99
All my N.Y. news is probably stale for you by now. Virgil's opera100 was original-looking on the stage – no one has ever seen anything quite like it. But I thought there was more music in Four Saints [in Three Acts]. It's as if a new musical idea hadn't occurred to him in 10 years. The prosody, as per usual, is superb – but then it's easy to have good prosody if you have nothing else on your mind (I'm quoting myself).
D[avid] D[iamond] looked much improved when last I saw him. I suppose Helen Kates told you of our financial crisis which was solved until August.
Bob Shaw did a bee-utiful job with my new chorus.101 Most people seemed to like it, but the press was only mildly interested. I can't imagine how you'll react to it. Any ho you won't have to conduct it – since there's nothing but voices. (I decided that Bob's conducting technique derives from the football cheerleader. Or did you say that already?)
I was in Cuba the night you played the Symph in Prague. Mexico seems so naively serious by comparison. I see Jeremiah on display here in the record shops. Chávez spoke of asking you to come to conduct a week in August. Did he wire you? And just before getting your letter I was talking about you (I seem to be always talking about you!) with de Spirito102 and Carrington103 at lunch. You'll be glad to hear that San Juan de Letran still thrives and that I live one block away.
I'll be at the Stadium concerts. And thanks Gawd for Tanglewood so's we can talk – finally. I've lectures all prepared for you about your City Center programs – completely disinterested since I leave for Brazil on August 14. Your ex-mentor sends you an abrazo muy fuerte –
The Leonard Bernstein Letters Page 31