The Leonard Bernstein Letters Read Online Free PDF Page A

destructive things has made me very angry and disappointed. At Harvard the situation is aggravated by these horrible musical dolls who infest the place. I find it almost impossible to stand. Thank God for you. Our last hope is in the work you are doing.
    Leonard Bernstein
    21. Aaron Copland to Leonard Bernstein
    Hotel Empire, Broadway at 63rd Street, New York, NY
    23 March 1938
    Dear Leonard,
    What a letter! What an “outburst”! Hwat a boy! It completely spoiled my breakfast. But it couldn't spoil the weather, so thank Marx for that. The sun has been shining in a way to defy all wars and dictators, and there's nothing to be done about it.
    That “female” you tell of [Cara Verson]. I've never seen her, but I had reports of her at a time when she played the Variations here, which I studiously avoided attending. I see that did no good, since she continues to “play” them. But what can a poor composer do? I know of know way of stopping her once the piece is published, do you? Think what people do to the three B's etc. and nothing can be done about that . As for your general “disappointment” in Art, Man and Life I can only advise perspective, perspective, and yet more perspective. This is only 1938. Man has a long time to go. Art is quite young. Life has its own dialectic. Aren't you always curious to see what tomorrow will bring?
    Of course, I understand exactly how you feel. At 21, in Paris, with Dada thumbing its nose at art, I had a spell of extreme disgust with all things human. What's the use – it can't last, and it didn't last. The next day comes, there are jobs to do, problems to solve, and one gets gradually inured to things. At my advanced age (37) I can't even take a letter like yours completely seriously. But I'm glad you wrote it, if only to let off steam. Write some more!
    Now it's definite that I'm not due to be up in Boston. I've been bought off with the promise of a performance at the coming Berkshire Festival. (Don't mention this around, will you.) I'm vaguely thinking of a trip to England in May. Sir Adrian Boult is to conduct my Salón México at the I.S.C.M. Festival in June, and previously on the BBC on April 20th; also here when he conducts the NBC orchestra in May. I hope you're coming to New York soon. I always enjoy seeing you.
    Always,
    Aaron
    22. Aaron Copland to Leonard Bernstein
    Box 15, Princeton, NJ
    Sat. [April 1938]
    Dear Leonard,
    I've come out to Princeton for a few weeks to try to finish that book 23 by June. It's lovely here – reminds me of my spring in Cambridge (unfortunately Cambridge is 5 hrs from N.Y. and this only 1 hr.).
    I got your Minn[eapolis] card. Wish I could hear more about your trip.
    I had a letter from the WPA 24 orchestra in Boston the other day saying they had programmed my Dance Symphony for Apr 26 at Sanders Theatre. If you have time to go will you write me your impressions of the performance? And send me any reviews that appear? (Don't forget – it's an early work!)
    How are you in general? Is Bennington decided upon? I haven't seen Norman Lloyd 25 since I talked with Davis, but I'll mention you to him when I do.
    Any chance of your being at the Berkshire Fest. this year? I'm vaguely tempted to go. By the way, Adrian Boult is supposedly broadcasting my Mexican piece on May 14th over NBC at 10 p.m.
    Remember me to Davis,
    Yours,
    Aaron
    23. Dimitri Mitropoulos to Leonard Bernstein
    Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Minneapolis, MN
    4 May 1938
    My dear, dear boy,
    Yes, you are right to be worried about me. I couldn't answer your first letter; you were asking me too much. If you remember, you wished to know more about me; but I think it is better that you look at me as you wish to – put at me your own imagination, your ideal. Who knows? – otherwise you would be disappointed. And, dear boy, I need your appreciation, your respect, your love! It is of great importance in my life. I should be happy to see you again before I leave. I am beginning the rehearsals