TLS from the American playwright to Professor Irma Antonetto expressing regret that he has missed her invitation to speak in front of the Associazione Culturele Italiana. Dated 16 February 1965 in New York; 1 pp., on hole-punched A4 paper. "For some reason that I cannot quite understand, your letter of May 14 last year has just come to my attention...Perhaps you could extend the invitation to me another time." Usual mailing folds, else fine. Read More...
4313. Astruc, Gabriel. (1864 - 1938). Important Typed Letter, defending the "French-ness" of the Théatre des Champs Elysées
A highly intersting letter from the influential French playwright, journalist, theatre director and impresario, who supervised many important Ballets Russes programs, including the premiere of "Le Sacre du Printemps." 8.5 x 10.5 inches (20.7 x 25.9 cm.). Read More...
Typed letter signed ("Béla Bartók"), in Hungarian, 1 page, folio (13½ x 8¼ in.), Budapest, September 14, 1937. To the literature historian and general secretary of the Hungarian Academy of Science, Géza Voinovich (1877-1952) about the publication of the Hungarian folk songs collected by Bartók and Kodály: "Since September 1924 the work for printing [the collection] is on the way. During that time I have revised the transcript of all the phonograph cylinders - 1062 cylinders - at the same time Kodály selected from the existing literature any related material….The material to be published comprises circa 12 thousand melodies, and the publication will consist of about 4000 pages 4to. In three years it will be possible to give the entire material to print…." Read More...
12188. Bartók, Béla. (1881–1945). Signed Letter about Hungary in WWII and The Commission of the Arts and Sciences of Independent Hungary
2-page TLS, signed "Bartok Bela." October 27, 1942. In Hungarian, an important letter addressed to the Hungarian-born composer and publisher, Albert Szirmay, who had emigrated to New York in 1923 and took a post as music director for Chappell Music, becoming editor for such Broadway luminaries as Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin. The letter concerns Hungary's role in WWII and Bartok's involvement as Chair of the Committee of Hungarian Scientists and Artists. Mentioning "the fateful fight carried out against the dictator" and lamenting that "the Hungarian government has declared war on the Axis side of the democracies," he knows that "President Roosevelt...you are on our side" and states that "in this situation...the representatives of Hungarian culture, who in America our principled beliefs are free to declare," must speak for the "the millions of Hungarians who are struggling." He goes on to invite Szirmay to join the newly formed Committee and a retained copy of Szirmay's letter of acceptance is included together with the original letter from Bartok. 8.5 x 11 inches, minor toning and a small tear along one of the original folds, else fine. Read More...
Typed letter signed from the American composer and teacher, responding to a letter from an admirer. 8/3/91; 1 p. on A4 personal stationary. In full, "Dear Mr. Juscik: / Writing music is absorbing and exhausting. So is listening to it. / There is only so much time. / That, rather than 'being influenced by' other music—if you can be influenced, steal the influence and absorb it—limits my listening. / Sincerely, [signature]." Pair of horizontal mailing folds, overall in fine condition. Read More...
Typed letter signed from the great American songwriter dated October 30, 1957, responding to a letter from a Miss May Patterson about Army band members in World War I: "As I recall, I was one of a committee assigned to purchase band music for the overseas bands. Unfortunately, I have no information regarding any of the alumni... In closing, let me say that your letter brought back many memories of the First World War." On his letterhead and with the original envelope with "Irving Berlin's 'Sayonara'" stamp; some thumbtack holes but overall in fine condition. 7.25 x 10.5 inches (18.3 x 26.5 cm).
Autograph letter signed to Nathan Broder, manager of publications for the music publisher G. Schirmer. 18 Feb, 1950, on letterhead of Bernstein's 1025 Park Ave address. In full: “Dear Nat, Just a word to express my deep pleasure and satisfaction at the publication of The A of A [Age of Anxiety]. It is beatuifully gotten out, handsome and done with loving care; and I am filled with gratitude. Sincerely, Lenny B." Usual folds, stamp "Received / 1950 FEB 18...G Schirmer" on the verso, in fine condition. 7 x 10.5 inches (19 x 26 cm). Read More...
An interested typed letter signed from the Swiss-born American composer, known for his compositions inspired by Jewish music and for his tenure as director of the Cleveland Institute of Music. October 4, 1924. On letterhead of the Cleveland Institute, Bloch writes to the editors of the Austrian magazine for conductors "Pult und Taktstock" ("Music stand and Baton"), declining to write an article because he is busy, but hoping that "in the future sometime I shall be able to send you something. In the meantime I want to tell you that I agree fully with your splendid ideas. It is very important that all striving musicians of the world should come in contact with one another." Hole-punched, with some notes in colored pencil at the foot; overall in fine condition. 6 x 9.5 inches (15.2 x 24 cm).
Typed letter signed from the Anglo-American playwright and writer of musical comedies, concerning the possibility of reviving his 1917 musical Leave it to Jane in England. April 20, [1965]. 1 p. To David Paramor of Aldus Books Ltd. in London, Bolton writes that there is no reason why the "Princess shows"—musicals written with P. G. Wodehouse and Jerome Kern and originally produced during World War I at the Princess Theatre in New York—should not be revived, and goes on to recommend Leave it to Jane and Oh, Lady as two options. Full text below. In fine condition. 7.25 x 10.5 inches (18.5 x 26.3 cm). Original transmissal envelope postmarked April 20, 1965. Together with a newspaper clipping about Bolton's death in 1979. Read More...
19546. Boulez, Pierre. (1925–2016). Typed Letter Signed regarding the preservation of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
TLS from the important French composer and conductor to James M. Mastracco, Visiting Lecturer in Physics & Acoustics at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY), expressing his support and best wishes for the preservation of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. July 28, 1983; 1 p. on Centre Georges-Pompidou stationary. Boulez writes, in part, "I had heard about the Troy Music Hall, of course, and I do think that it should be preserved...all I can do is to assure you of my moral support and tell you that I would be very interested to follow what you are doing and any results that you may obtain. / With all my best wishes for your campaign and the best of luck for success in the preservation of the exceptional hall." Usual mailing creases, small losses and hole punches along left edge, otherwise in fine condition. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 27.9 cm.). Read More...
23252. Cage, John. (1912–1992). INSTRUCTIONS FOR DUPLICATING 'CONDUCTOR' - Signed Instructions to the Publisher
Typed document signed from the innovative and influential American composer, being his instructions for the printing of the CONDUCTOR instructions for his Concert for Piano and Orchestra. Signed in blue ink "John Cage / Stony Point, NY / June 30, 1960." 1 p. "INSTRUCTIONS FOR DUPLICATING CONDUCTOR / 2 unnumbered typewritten pages preceded by a title page. The page with CONDUCTOR at the top goes to the left, the other to the right. / Staple or stich and provide with a cover." Together with the printed score ("Using a stop-watch, the conductor changes clock-time to effective time....He may begin anywhere in the following table...") by Edition Peters (1960), 2 pages, adhering to the given directions provided by the composer. In fine condition, annotated in another hand in pencil at the foot "Printing Cost for One Set / 3 sheets / 24¢." 8.5 x 11 inches (21.6 x 28 cm). Read More...
TLS written on behalf of the French author and philosopher by a secretary at Gallimard, Camus' publisher, to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana, declining an invitation to speak. Paris, 9 October 1950; 1 pp. on Gallimard stationary. In part (translated from the French), "Sadly, Monsieur Albert Camus, ill for the last year, is currently convalescing, and his health does not allow him the movement and fatigue involved in a conference." Expected mailing fold, two holes to left margin, else fine. 5 x 8 inches (12.7 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Inscribed visiting card from the important Catalan cellist and composer, who has penned on a card printed with his name: "Reconnaissant—salutations et meilleurs voeux." With the original miniature transmissal envelope in Casals' hand, signed under the flap ("Exp: Pau Casals, Prades (P.O.)") and addressed to the violinist Fanny Brandeis in Louisville, KY. Also included are two small photographs, one showing Casals with violinist Alexander Schneider, and one showing Fanny Brandeis examining a Bach score with pianist Mieczysław Horszowski. Read More...
19194. Chomsky, Noam. (b. 1928). "I'm afraid that the next few months seem, if anything, even more full than when I wrote you last" - Typed Letters Signed
Collection of four TLS from the American linguist and public intellectual to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana, regarding various invitations to speak in Italy. In the first (21 January 1970; 1 pp. on Massachusetts Institute of Technology stationary), Chomsky writes in part "I'm afraid that the next few months seem, if anything, even more full than when I wrote you last." A note handwritten to the bottom, likely written by Antonetto, indicates that Chomsky should be invited again for the 1971–72 season. That invitation would fare no better, though not for lack of interest on Chomsky's part, as his next letter (Feb.11,1971; 1 pp. on MIT stationary) indicates. "The best time for me would be early April, or if that is impossible, late March...it is still a bit indefinite, and of course depends on how the plans develop more explicitly from your end." Fifteen years later (May 11, 1986; 1 pp. on paper with computer-printed MIT header), their correspondence continues. "Thank you very much for renewing the ACI invitation for 1986–87. I really wish it were possible for me to consider it...as usual, I am booked up long in advance, through 1988 at the moment. I'm very sorry I cannot manage it." In the final letter (June 17, 1986; 1 pp. on paper with computer-printed MIT header) Chomsky writes, "I feel a bit embarrassed by now at being so reluctant to arrange a visit under the sponsorship of the Associazione. I do appreciate the long-term invitation you sent in your later of May 25. What I would suggest is that I wait to see if I have a trip to Europe that can be extended for a few days." Alas, it was not to be. The ACI website shows no record of Chomsky ever coming to speak. Expecting mailing creases, two holes to left side of each letter, else fine, 8.5 x 11 inches (21.3 x 27.9 cm.). Read More...
TLS, signed "René." 1 page, October 9, 1943. An interesting letter from the classic French filmmaker and writer to American screenwriter Dudley Nichols, about their script for the 1944 film It Happened Tomorrow, a fantasy directed by Clair. "As you will see, nothing important has been altered...I suppose our work was so solid that it was impossible to change its structure - like the Parthenon." Nichols (1895 - 1960), who wrote or co-wrote the screenplays for 72 movies, won the 1936 Oscar for Best Screenwriting but refused the award due to the ongoing Screen Writers Guild strike. Light folding creases; overall in fine condition. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm). Read More...
TLS from the U.S. Solicitor General and special prosecutor during Watergate to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana, declining an invitation to speak. 6 July 1977; 1 pp., on Harvard Law School stationary. In part, "My academic duties make it impossible to contemplate so long a trip during the next academic year." Two holes to left margin, else fine. 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 21.3 cm.). Read More...
Pair of interesting TLS from the Spanish-Cuban pianist and composer. May 8, 1946 and March 24, 1947. Addressed to Mrs. Albert Shaw.
A student of Moritz Moszkowski, he toured as a pianist and was known as a composer and arranger of popular Spanish folk music. Nin was a member of the Spanish Academy and the French Legion of Honor and, with singer Rosa Culmell, was the father of Thorvald Nin, composer Joaquin Nin-Culmell, and writer Anaïs Nin.
Typed letter signed from the Russian-born American pianist and pedagogue, to American pianist Raymond Lewenthal. 1 p.; n.d., together with envelope postmarked August 20, 1981. Dorfmann writes: "Dear Raymond: I was deeply touched by your thoughtful letter. I always value your judgment and appreciate it greatly, that I think you know. The delay in answering your letter was due to my recent illness. I was in the hospital with pneumonia, now I am fine. You judged so rightly my student. Talent he has but he needs more work. I called his home in Canada, he was away but I spoke with his mother. She was over joyed with your judgment. I thank you with all my heart. Hope to see you in New York soon. Affectionately, Ania."Together with a copy of Lewenthal's letter to Dorfmann, which concerns a pupil of Dorfmann's whom Lewenthal heard perform in a competition in Quebec. Fine. 5.75 x 7.75 inches (14.7 x 19.6 cm). Read More...
TLS from the American feminist writer to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana regarding an upcoming speaking engagement. New York, August 7, 1971; 1 pp. on A4 personal stationary. In November of the same year, Friedan gave a lecture at the ACI entitled "The Participation of Women in Human Liberation.". Expected mailing folds, two holes punched in left margin, else fine. Read More...
Typed letter signed from the important singer and actress, regarding a back injury and her activities in wartime. 1 p., May 20, 1942. Farrar writes: "Dear Alice; To you and Charles, go my thanks and appreciation of your thought and the charming expressions of your sympathy. It has been so absurd to have a kink in the back, for having been 'leg-lazy' all the years I was busy at the larynx actives; I must persist, however, due to the gas ration that is slim [...] So I shall attempt the bikes in due time with less enthusiasm." She goes on to thank her correspondents for their offer to pick her up for a visit, and reports on the illness of her cook. On her Ridgefield, Connecticut letterhead. Slightly wrinkled with some toning; overall fine. 7.25 x 10.5 inches (18.5 x 26.7 cm).