The Leonard Bernstein Letters (35 page)

Dear Leonard,

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for the wonderful gift you sent me. I enjoy immensely playing and singing your finale of
Jeremiah
.
⁸

You have brought more dignity to the Jewish people than anyone else I know.

I had breakfast with your father today and he told me you may be at Burton's Bar-Mitzvah. I hope you will.

God bless you!

I. G. Glickstein

Dear Lenny,

It was rather nice seeing you the other night at Al and Dick's.
⁹
What with your letter and our chance meeting, I thought that maybe (as you said) we could get “that
old show out of our heads” and do some work. However I have just finished reading the interviews in
Dance Magazine
.
¹⁰
Have you seen them? Well, in yours, you talk about the trilogy idea based on
Fancy Free
, even mentioning
Bye Bye Jackie
¹¹
by name and describing the material. And somehow, Leonard, it all sounds like your idea, and to boot my name isn't even connected with my own registered play.
¹²

Now it all might be the fault of the interviewer, and if it is, too bad, because it makes you appear to be dishonest. But if it is something you did yourself, it is a low, dirty trick – and I wouldn't try it again. Fortunately the majority of people in the dance world already know about
Bye Bye Jackie
and the Theatre Guild and others have read it, so that if and when it's done, it won't seem that you have supplied my material and ideas.

I don't like writing a letter like this. But I thought it best we get straightened out on things like this. We are well suited to work together as far [as] talents are concerned, and it would be good if we could manage to do some more ballets. But this kind of business is not a good gesture either as a friend or business associate. So let's have no more of it.

Sincerely,

Jerry

Queridisima Hermanita,

I'll be home very soon. I leave tomorrow. I love this place madly, but I can't wait to get back. I go to Hollywood tomorrow, where [Irving] Rapper has
arranged a dinner for me which includes my following fans, believe it or not: Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Van Johnson, Ethel Barrymore, Judy Garland, Dana Andrews,
and others
. Want to join me there?

Mü la dü,

Ladüm

Bought you a
fantastic
opal!

Leonard,

This is to say hello, that I will be listening Sunday, and any other time I know you will be on the air – to say I hope so very much – opportunity will often present itself so I can see you again, and to say – you and your music came along when I needed them desperately. I had hit a new low, and since being exposed to your mighty talents, I am on high – there is probably nothing in the world so encouraging for the future of the world as a super talent in someone – it is the only true inspiration and help in believing the world is really worthwhile. I feel privileged to have spent an evening with you – and thank you so much for playing for me when I know you didn't feel like it. It is an evening I will always remember with the most enormous pleasure. It is hard to have all this
said
to one, I know that. Thus the
written
expression of my delight at meeting you.

Irving
¹⁴
has very nicely been willing to be messenger boy for me – wish I were my own messenger boy and could be there to
see
you conduct. You won't mind if I become a 1945 version of Madame von Meck, as regards you.
¹⁵
There are some changes in the script already. We have seen each other – that is not according to style – and financially there is no similarity. The only resemblance:

1. I am older.

2. I adore your music.

3. I like you.

Bye for now.

Bette

P.S. If you ever have time, send me an autographed photograph, would you:

“A real fan I am – Leonard Bernstein.”
¹⁶

Dear Piotr,

That is not the right spelling – but you get the idea. Your wire I adored. A letter I wrote you for Irving to take to you in San Francisco is still waiting for him to pick up – he went a day too early. When I have recovered it, will send it on.

I am in bed with a cold, and loved my hour with you and your music from San Francisco. Only one thought: if they have you must they inflict upon us Mr. S.
¹⁷
– a duller violinist never lived in my opinion. If you disagree we will talk about that later. The rubles I am saving up to bring in person. Anyway you were very sweet to wire – I so hope I see you soon. Your
Fancy Free
music is – well – it is Bernstein, and musically I can give you no greater compliment in my opinion. My letter written a few days ago still goes – the Baroness Von Davis adores your music and likes you – till later.

Bette.

I sent your stockings off to be framed today. We created great gossip, all because you asked me to sit beside you at the party while you were playing. Such simple basic people the Hollywood person is. I am flattered – hope you are – all jealousy and I don't blame them. Will drink a toast to you every Wednesday night, in memory of the Wednesday last week when I first heard you play – I am only furious about one thing, that all the time you were here last summer I didn't have the chance to meet you – it is so silly.

Bye again.

B

Dear Lennie,

Irving and I are working together. The set – so Irving says – is very like your apartment.
¹⁸
If so how you must love it. I was most happy to contribute for your composer – and hope his career proves to be all you feel it is.

Read about you so very often in the
New York Times
– my bible of New York – and it is so wonderful to know that your triumphs continue. It must be a great satisfaction to you. Your Madame Von Meck – me – is very proud – only feels slighted that no requests for funds have been forthcoming – can't I get you into my debt somehow? You are not living up to your predecessor – he was much more helpless. Thank you for your message about my marriage.

That was as far as I got last week. In the meantime, I banged my head on the windshield and was away for a couple of days, but a hard Yankee head is able to take it, thank god. Our picture progresses very well today – maybe my head was injured after all – anyway my best to you Lennie – and here's to our next meeting. It was so nice to hear from you. Love,

B. Von Meck.

Bette

Lensky,

Did I dream that you called me the “laziest guy I know” or did you actually say it? Let me know. Future relations may depend on it. The actual quote was: “Besides your other faults you are the laziest guy I know”. My impression is that you merely stated the thing as a fact without anger. A good thing.

The new atomic bomb is the most frightening thing that has happened ever ever.
¹⁹
Why am I the only one I know to realize this? The whole future of mankind depends on its future use. Imagine what could happen if a few unscrupulous men were to control the principle. Or what a counter-revolutionary device it is. Or how it makes a war with Russia more possible. And when you figure it is still in its primitive stages.

Of course the good it can do should not be underestimated, & really referring to the principle of atomic power, not the bomb. Men are knocking at the portals of heaven (you may quote me).

When mother said there was a call from Montreal this morning I was a bit scared that something was the matter. I'm glad you called though. After you left Monday I felt very blue. Hearing you cheered me up. […] I hope to hell you do get out to Frisco. My time would be so limited. You might have to meet me someplace to make it all worthwhile. We'll see later.

I have started
The Well of Loneliness
²⁰
but I have little patience for anything just now, being worn out, nervous as a cat and as irritable. Reaction to 30 days of hard living & no sleep. In fact after you called I had breakfast, read the paper and went to sleep for 6 more hours.

Mother sends regards to you and to Helen.

I have to stop now before I fidget right off the chair.

Please don't be lonesome. Be happy, serene and effective & write!

Love,

Dave

My dear Lenny,

I just read an article about the possibility of your going to Hollywood. Shall I congratulate you?

It seems that your decision of not continuing with our work is now a definite one – so that a few words of mine won't disturb your decision. Of course I would like to get some information about your trip to Mexico, your plans for the next future and last [but] not least how you feel mentally!

If you feel that writing or talking to me could still influence you and that you are sort of uncomfortable or afraid of it – skip it please and let's wait.

Not only am I personally interested but I also would like to have your report for my records. But – I am repeating –
only
if it
doesn't interfere with your emotions
.

I am enclosing something which might interest you.

How do you feel about the Peace?

Sincerely yours,

Marketa M.

To the 5 of September: Tannersville N.Y., Country Club House.

Aaron darling,

Well, the monstrous experiment of juxtaposing you and Chávez turned out to be just that – a monstrous experiment – but such fun! […] Everyone loves your piece – and, strangely, the
Sinfonia India
was a big hit. One of those Bernstein surprises.

I love you & miss you – and here are the reviews. It gets lonely: won't you send a slight letter? Too many people & dinners & dullards here. Nice – but what happens after midnight.

See you velly soon.

Love

L

I'm here til next Sunday (9th).

My darling A,

[…] I wish you were here. How about dropping in on me suddenly, like a visit? I have a suite, and it's not far. We'd really have a vacation. I've banged my head around over these programs for Paris (I hope it's still on) and come up with these:

I.

Schuman: Prayer

V. Thomson: Five Portraits

Barber: Violin Concerto

—

Bernstein: Jeremiah

Gershwin: Am[erican] in Paris

II.

Piston: Concerto

Harris: Symph no. 3

Blitzstein: Freedom Slop
²³

—

Randall Thompson: Scherzo from Symph II

Sessions: Adagio from Symph

Copland: Lincoln or Billy

That seems to take care of everybody (except D[avid] D[iamond]), and the programs are a little long, but not too much so. And boy, they're hard! Most of the pieces are short, no? I don't think either program is over an hour and a half. What do you think? Couldn't I play the Ravel Concerto on the European program, and your Piano Sonata on the chamber music?

I offer no cheery word on the subject of your father, since I know you're the best one in the world at that.
²⁴
But I hope you're better, and back in stride: I refuse to take
arthritis
seriously in you! It doesn't go at all.

I love you, and hope you'll write soon, if you don't drop around personally; my love to Victor & Ted.

L

The St. Louis Jazz Society is taking me on a tour of old Southern jazz haunts tonight!

Dear Len,

I read in the paper and Shirl tells me that you are up to the neck in auditions. How does it look? Many vacancies to fill? How does your clarinet section shape up? If I were to get out could you hire me for next season or can't you fire a man merely because you have someone else you would rather have play in his place? What does 1st clarinet pay in your orch? Naturally that is the prime consideration. Gotta compare your offer with dozens of others. If I am not let out in time and Local 66 doesn't reinstate me, we will have union trouble.

All the above assuming you don't run in to a great virtuoso of the licorice stüchel to replace hypothetical me. Don't!

I've been getting down to L.A. to my Aunt Pauline's for some quiet outdoor weekends, complete [with] charcoal broiled breakfast – eggs, bacon et al.

My cousin Judy is here now. She is the one (do you remember) who introduced herself and a hundred other kids to you as my cousin in Detroit. Wonderful charming 15 yr old colt – the only girl cousin on mother's side of the family – my pet. She saw you at the Berkshire concert this year.

Nothing much to say. I'm grand, as Shirl puts it, except for the old army disease, lackanookie. And not a thing to do about it here. Well, can't keep me in for ever. Congress would raise too big a stink.

Love,

Dave

Seymour's address?