The Leonard Bernstein Letters
Page 81
Scene Six: The Bridal Shop.
This scene is almost completely in song. Juliet has put on the wedding veil, is arranging the mannequins as she sings. Her strangeness is explained by the empty bottle of poison which she addresses for a moment. She is becoming more and more delirious when Romeo comes in. He is very weak but so happy to see her. She is so happy to see him: in her delirium, she thinks they are at least in their own world which has been transported to heaven. He doesn't realize at first that she has taken poison. But when he does discover the truth, it is too late. She sinks to the floor, he cradles her in his arms, they both start a reprise of their balcony song but they never quite finish. The lights change, the walls disappear, the music soars upward and the audience swoons.
THE END
Appendix Two
Bernstein's Letters and Postcards to Mildred Spiegel
In December 1991, Mildred Zucker (formerly Mildred Spiegel) sent details to the Leonard Bernstein Office of all the letters and postcards she had received from Bernstein. Her annotated list was divided into two sections (“Contents of Letters” and “Contents of L.B. Post Cards”). The following includes the most significant items, which have been amalgamated into a single chronological sequence.
The additional indented comments are taken from a long letter of 23 July 1978 that Mildred Zucker wrote to Jack Gottlieb, full of information (“I have been continuing my homework about Lenny and came across a few more facts”), and ending as follows: “I consider it a great privilege to have been a close friend of Lenny's. It was thrilling for me to watch him grow and reach such great heights. Lenny was and still is a great source of inspiration to me. Give him our love.”
29 December 1935, Boston, MA: Lenny asked me to turn his pages at a lecture.
2 January 1936, New York, NY: Has a lot to tell me. Reminds me to turn his pages.
24 June 1936, Philadelphia, PA: Description of Curtis Institute audition/judges' reaction. They thought he should be at Curtis.
29 June 1936, Philadelphia, PA: Attended Robin Hood Dell concert – writes his reaction upon hearing Romeo and Juliet Overture of Tchaikovsky. Appointment with [José] Iturbi.
“In June 1936 in Philadephia, Lenny had an audition with Merrs. Simpkin and Lorenz (arranged by Don, his Harvard roommate). They were greatly taken with his playing. Among other things they said: 1) The boy is an artist. 2) He has stage personality. 3) Interpretation a little youthful and immature. 4) He ought to be at Curtis – not for what they could teach him but for what contacts he could make. 5) Mr. Lorenz confided to a girl, ‘You see a great boy – you'll see a greater man’. They also arranged an interview with Iturbi. While visiting Don at 2008 N. Park Aven., Lenny attended a Robin Hood Dell concert where he heard Spalding play the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto under Alexander Smallens, also the Romeo and Juliet Overture of Tchaikovsky and a rehearsal of Harold Bauer playing the Schumann.”
3 August 1936, Sharon, MA: Wrote me about an eleven-page letter which he will show me. He has grippe and asked me to visit him.
4 August 1936, Sharon, MA: Invites me to Sharon for lunch.
August 1936, Sharon, MA: Eleven-page letter written in the blackest of moods describing a clash with his father who did not want Lenny's friends visiting. He also poured his heart out about his friends.
13 September 1936, Alfred, ME: He is staying at a farm. Will come to visit me at York Harbor, where I am playing with a trio.
“In September 1936, he wound up at Elm Top Farm in Alfred, Maine for a short vacation. He borrowed the farmer's truck and drove to the Emerson House at York Harbor, Maine, where I was playing with my trio. I was delightfully surprised to see him.”
9 July 1937, Pittsfield, MA: His activities at Camp Onota as a music counselor – casting for The Pirates of Penzance, first month, then Of Thee I Sing, second month.
“In July 1937, on his night off from Camp Onota, he went to Cap Allegro and was in the clutches of a million women, playing all evening – Lecuona, Ravel and de Falla etc.”
21 January 1938, Cambridge, MA: Announcement – he's soloist in Ravel Concerto. He changes the printing and writes Boston Symphony and not State Symphony. [See Letter 18].
6 April 1938, Minneapolis, MN: Describes visit to Mitropoulos – quiet, interesting week.
2 May 1938, Cambridge, MA: He wrote out two measures of a theme.
7 July 1938, Sharon, MA: Thinking of putting on Cradle Will Rock. Rehearsal with Forum Quartet, and off to a publicity tea in Scituate, MA.
“In July 1938, Lenny was at the Sharon summer home (17 Lake Ave) and entertaining persuasive notions of putting on Cradle Will Rock that summer. He returned my copy of the Bach Well-Tempered Clavichord Vol. I which he had borrowed and marked up for his Harmonic Analysis class at Harvard.”
25 July 1938, Sharon, MA: Audience reaction to his Newport concerto where he earned $50.00 playing in a home and made many friends. Summer plans.
15 August 1938, Sharon, MA: Describes trip home in the fog – from the Berkshires, Massachusetts.
25 August 1938, Chicago, IL: En route to the West. Bus driver would not stop at Pittsfield, where Lenny wanted to visit me.
18 September 1938, California: En route home from trip out West. “Glorious trip. We live in a great country.”
29 December 1938, New York, NY: Staying in New York for the New [Year] – work to do – wishes me a happy New Year.
30 December 1938, Maywood, NJ: Saw On Your Toes. Will let me know of his arrival. It may be by plane.
7 July 1939, New York, NY: Having a terrible time with his nerves. No future. Staying with Adolph Green. Looking around for work.
3 October 1939, Woodstock, NY: Went to see [Léon] Barzin about a conducting class. Out of the question. Lenny's plans depend on Curtis examination.
“In early October 1939, he went to Woodstock to see Barzin who was doubtful as to whether he'd have a conducting class that year.”
20 October 1939, Philadelphia, PA: Curtis Institute – Fierce desire to work hard – helpful, considerate faculty – lists subjects and teachers – majoring in piano and conducting – practices three hours a day.
9 November 1939, Philadelphia, PA: Studying Tristan – found a deli that sells Halvah – more in accompanying letter.
9 November 1939, Philadelphia, PA: Description of piano lesson with Vengerova. Offers to teach me when he returns home. Made friends with Mme Miquelle.
20 January 1940, Philadelphia, PA: Curtis Institute – Hard work – one tremendous piece of news – will tell me when he returns home.
1 February 1940, Philadelphia, PA: Mitropoulos has plans for him to come to Minneapolis and be official assistant conductor and pianist for the orchestra – be at every rehearsal and ready to take over – will be presented as soloist with orchestra – also as a composer.
28 February 1940, Philadelphia, PA: Curtis Institute – He was the only conducting student to get an A from Reiner. Helen Coates sent him brownies.
29 March 1940, Philadelphia, PA: Writes that my letter was the most wonderful letter he ever had. Heard Cleveland Orchestra and Rodzinski in Wilmington, Delaware. Koussy came to Curtis and remembered him.
10 April 1940, Philadephia, PA: Writing vocal quartets, settings of poems by Kenneath Fearing. No contract from Minneapolis and no confirmation about the Berkshires. Going to Washington with Mme Miquelle for the weekend.
23 April 1940, Philadelphia, PA: Letter explaining why Mitropoulos cannot import him. The union claims that Lenny is not a necessary function that cannot be filled by local people. Manager did not want Lenny because he was a student.
3 May 1940, Philadelphia, PA: Coming home on weekend. Writes me to cultivate my left dimple for the occasion. Sings “Love in May”.
22 June 1940, New York, NY: Leaving for telecast. Will write from New Hampshire. Writes card in Aaron [Copland]'s studio using his card. I asked him what score he would like. He suggested Schumann's 4th Symphony, Petrouchka, Debussy Nocturnes, Firebird, Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel.
27 June 1940, Hanover, NH: Kenny Erhman looking for him. Leaving for Cranwell School for Boys, Lenox, Massachusetts.
“In June 1940 he did a television show in Hanover, NH, while staying with Raphael Silverman (Hillyer).”
15 July 1940, Lenox, MA: Made an auspicious conducting debut. Lenny writes it was terrific, thrilling, awe shedding. Letter to follow.
16 July 1940, Lenox, MA: Conducted his own first concert at Tanglewood – Randall Thompson's Second Symphony – marvelous time – Koussy and orchestra like him. Plans to conduct Scheherazade, Copland's Music for the Theatre.
24 October 1940, Philadelphia, PA: Reiner is furious at Koussy for stealing his pupil. Never feels wholly alive in Philadelphia.
13 December, 1940, Philadelphia, PA: Practices four hours at the piano – Mozart Concerto, restudying Chopin Études in 3rds and 6ths. Teaching “rich brats” at the Meadowbrook School on Wednesdays.
18 January 1941, Philadelphia, PA: Life is dull and lonely, but very active. He is broadcasting the Stravinsky two-piano concerto on February 1st, 5:30 p.m. on NBC. He will imagine me at the other piano.
7 February 1941, Philadelphia, PA: Vengerova wants to make a two-piano team with him and another student. She was swept off her feet with their Stravinsky. Feels like he is finishing up a jail sentence and can't wait to get away from there fast enough. Bored.
12 March 1941, Philadelphia, PA: Next broadcast April 26th.
21 April 1941, Philadelphia, PA: Plans to be home May 4th. Will be on the air.
21 July 1941, Lenox, MA: Big success conducting William Schuman American Festival Overture on the same program with Koussy conducting the Faust Symphony. Lenny got two more bows than Koussy. Lenny got a screaming ovation. Conducted Mastersingers Prelude at Esplanade – 22,000 people in audience – $150.00.
2 December 1941, Boston, MA: Theme from Schumann Symphony.
5 December 1941, Boston, MA: Card announcing opening of his studio for the teaching of piano and musical analysis at 295 Huntington Avenue, Boston.
20 December 1941, Boston, MA: Christmas card and invitation to see his new studio.
6 October 1942, New York, NY: No real secure job yet. Doing odd jobs.
23 June 1943, New York, NY: One week late for my birthday. Wishes me success and happiness.
12 July 1943, New York, NY: Will conduct Goldman Band concerts. Leaving for Hollywood in August for a month vacation. Will conduct Boston Symphony concerts in Boston on August 1st and 2nd before leaving.
11 August 1943, Brookline, MA: Rehearsals for Tanglewood – will be back at end of month for Army induction.
22 October 1943, New York, NY: Written on Philharmonic Symphony of New York stationery. Wonderful and exciting.
15 December 1943, New York, NY: Thanks me for the “glorious Halvah”. Do I ever get to New York?
26 June 1944, New York, NY: My wonderful cards delight him. Was in the hospital having his septum out. Leaving for Chicago to begin his summer season. Will conduct at Stadium in New York.
20 September 1944, New York, NY: Wants to know how I am. Will conduct Fancy Free in Boston on October 2nd and we will get together. Some day we will play the Saint-Saëns 5th Concerto together.
19 February 1945, St. Louis, MO: Conducting was wonderful, responsive orchestra, audiences wild. Middle of a huge tour across the continent through Canada and back.
4 September 1945, New York, NY: Thanks me for my most touching card. He asked if I heard of his acquisition of the New York City Center Orchestra. It was a thrilling birthday gift.
11 December 1945, New York, NY: Came home from a two-week bout in St. Louis and found my heavenly Halvah – beautiful surprise.
24 December 1945, en route from Minneapolis to New York: He talked of me with mutual friends, and loved me very much.
1 February 1946, New York, NY: Coming in March to Boston and wants to spend some time together. He is redoing the Beethoven 1st Concerto. It is full of me.
9 April 1947, New York, NY: Am I coming to Tanglefoot?
15 April 1948, New York, NY: Off to Europe to conduct in Munich, Budapest, Vienna and Milan.
29 November 1951, Cuernavaca, Mexico: Encouraging me to teach in Israel. He is composing, sunning, swimming. Opera progresses slowly – throws away more than he keeps.
3 January 1952, Cuernavaca, Mexico: Wishing me happiness for my marriage. He feels lazy.
4 December 1961, New York, NY: He is sick in bed. The Halvah is like Manna from Heaven. It cheered his ailing days.
9 February 1962, New York, NY: He was overcome with nostalgia when he met a mutual friend in Aspen, Colorado. Memories of my Madison Trio, joyful early days.
3 June 1970, Paris, France: Conducted Mahler 3rd in Paris, Verdi Requiem in London, Fidelio in Rome. He can hardly keep up with himself.
10 January 1972, New York, NY: While he was in Vienna, he recalled meeting “under Beethoven” when we met for two pianos [under the Beethoven statue] at the New England Conservatory.
Bibliography
Archives
The vast majority of the letters published in this book are in the Leonard Bernstein Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Thanks to the work of Charlie Harmon and others in the Leonard Bernstein Office, the Bernstein Collection also includes many photocopies of letters from Bernstein as well as those written to him.
Other collections in the Library of Congress containing letters from Bernstein include those of Aaron Copland, David Diamond, Hans Heinsheimer, Serge Koussevitzky, and Helen Coates, as well as the papers of other members of the Bernstein family, notably Leonard's sister Shirley, his brother Burton, and his wife Felicia.
Bernstein's letters to Jerome Robbins about Fancy Free are in the Robbins Papers at the New York Public Library of the Performing Arts, and other letters from Bernstein are drawn from the institutions and private individuals listed below:
Leonard Bernstein Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Aaron Copland Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
David Diamond Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Hans Heinsheimer Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Serge Koussevitzky Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Jerome Robbins Papers, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, New York, NY.
Richard Adams Romney Letters, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
Yevgeny Yevtushenko Papers, Manuscripts Division, Special Collections, Stanford University Library, Stanford, CA.
Pat Jaffe, New York, NY.
Phyllis Newman, New York, NY.
Shirley Gabis Rhoads Perle, New York, NY.
Sid Ramin, New York, NY.
Books and Articles
Adams, John (2008): Hallelujah Junction: Composing an American Life. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Barnouw, Erik (1990): Tube of Plenty: The Evolution of American Television. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Bernstein, Burton (1982): Family Matters: Sam, Jennie, and the Kids. New York: Summit Books.
Bernstein, Leonard (1957): “Excerpts from a West Side Log,” Playbill, 30 September, pp. 47–8; repr. in Bernstein 1982, pp. 144–7.
—— (1959): The Joy of Music. New York: Simon and Schuster.
—— (1966): The Infinite Variety of Music. New York: Simon and Schuster.
—— (1982): Findings. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Bernstein Live at the New York Philharmonic (2000): Disc notes for NYP 2003, New York: Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York.
Burlingame, Jon (2003): “Leonard Bernstein and On the Waterfront: Tragic Nobility, a Lyrical Song, and Music of Violence,” in Joanne E. Rapf, ed.: On the Waterfront. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 124–47.
Burton, Humphrey (1994): Leonard Bernstein. London: Faber and
Faber.
Chapin, Ted (2005): Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical Follies. New York: Applause Books.
Chaplin, Saul (1994): The Golden Age of Movie Musicals and Me. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
Cooke, Mervyn, ed. (2010): The Hollywood Film Music Reader. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Copland, Aaron, and Vivian Perlis (1984): Copland: 1900 Through 1942. London: Faber and Faber.
—— (1992): Copland Since 1943. London: Marion Boyars.
Cott, Jonathan (2013): Dinner with Lenny: The Last Long Interview with Leonard Bernstein. New York: Oxford University Press.
Crist, Elizabeth B., and Wayne Shirley, ed. (2006): The Selected Correspondence of Aaron Copland. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
Dougary, Ginny (2010): “Leonard Bernstein: Charismatic, Pompous – and a Great Father,” The Times (London), 13 March. Online version at www.ginnydougary.co.uk, accessed 19 March 2013.
Dunning, John (1998): On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-time Radio. New York: Oxford University Press.
Gordon, Eric A. (1989): Mark the Music: The Life and Work of Marc Blitzstein. New York: St Martin's Press.
Gottlieb, Jack, ed. (1998): Leonard Bernstein […] A Complete Catalog of His Works. Volume 1: Life, Musical Compositions & Writings. [New York:] Leonard Bernstein Music Publishing Company.