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[Books and Programs]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918-1990). "Vital Music old and new, Superbly performed under a Stimulating Young Conductor" - Early Concert Flyer from the 1945-46 season.
Rare early flyer promoting performances by the young conductor with the New York City Symphony at New York City Center for the 1945-46 season. The flyer reads "New York City Symphony / conducted by Leonard Bernstein / Vital Music old and new Superbly performed under a Stimulating Young Conductor / At prices within the reach of all," all above a portrait of an almost impossibly young Bernstein. The concerts, which took place between October 8, 1945 and April 1, 1946, included "12 Monday Symphonies," "Symphonies at 6," and "Symphonies for Young America (Ages 12 to 24)," and promised "The finest in modern music," "refreshing vigorous programs," and "new youthful spirit in music." Stamped "Sep 27 1945" to verso. Horizontal folding crease with one-inch tear along crease, overall in fine condition. Read More...
New York: Simon & Schuster. 1982. First edition. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with photographs. Signed and inscribed by Bernstein on the title page. In original dj, very fine throughout. Read More...
New York: Ridge Press Book/ Viking Press . 1968. First edition. Richly illustrated with photographs, showing both the public and private sides of this phenomenal talent and personality. Boldly signed and inscribed in black ink by Bernstein on title and dated 1972. Pictorial hardcover, 191 pp. Outer printed glassine dj partially torn, else fine. Fine. Read More...
New York: Random House. 1958. First, 1st issue. . Hardcover with dust jacket, 5.5 x 8.25, 143 pages. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page in black felt tip, "Best wishes to Matt Stiller, from Stephen Sondheim, 4/9/93." Book condition: fine, with sunning to the jacket's spine, and a tape-repaired tear to the spine's head. Read More...
Rare souvenir program from the original Broadway production of the classic musical West Side Story, signed by much of the original cast, including the creators of the principal roles: Carol Lawrence (Maria), Larry Kert (Tony), Chita Rivera (Anita), Art Smith (Doc), Mickey Calin (Riff), Ken LeRoy (Bernardo), Lee Theodore (credited here as "Lee Becker") (Anybodys), Eddie Roll (Action), David Winters (Baby John), and Tony Mordente. (A-Rab). 16 pp. Wear to spine, overall in fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm.). Read More...
New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. 1980. First edition. Octavo, brown cloth-backed rust boards in gilt, in dj. viii, [ii] 469 pp. Illustrated in B&W. Near Fine. From the library of Leonard Bernstein's, inscribed to him on the front endpaper in an unknown hand: "To Lenny / on receiving the first N.Y.S. award in Music, and to celebrate the world premiere of his Kostelanetz 'toast,' we give this biography of a New York forerunner in opera, show & philosophy / Love / Katie & Keri." Together with a printed card identifying the volume as having originally been sold in the Leonard Bernstein Estate sale at Sotheby's as lot 151. Read More...
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...
Large format original bust portrait drawing of the American composer/conductor/pianist, boldly signed in black ink "Leonard Bernstein" and by the artist "Bralow." Accomplished in graphite with white paint highlights and the name of the subject in gray lower left. An attractive and sensitive portrait apparently accomplished in person in Scarsdale, NY, ca. 1975. 17.5 x 21 inches (44.5 x 53.5 cm), fully laid down to rigid backing and matted overall to 22.5 x 26.5 inches (57.15 x 67.5 cm). Slight ripple against backing to right blank area, else fine.
An LP of th acclaimed ballet score, boldly signed on verso of jacket, "Leonard Bernstein". Columbia Masterworks – M 33082. Spine and lower seem partially split, impression of LP rubbed to front and small stains, LP untested but in apparently fine condition. Read More...
Signed original doubleweight photograph of the American conductor and composer, one of the titans of mid-century American music, standing in the proscenium of an unknown stage, the orchestra to his front and the curtain to his rear. Bernstein has inscribed "For Paul / Leonard Bernstein" in black ink to a light area of the image. Photographer unconfirmed but likely Paul McMahon, ca. 1965. In very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Signed portrait in profile of the American composer, conductor and pianist as a young man. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Caption, "Leonard Bernstein," typed to verso. 9.5 x 7.5 inches (24.1 x 19 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Signed portrait in profile of the American composer, conductor and pianist. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Hand stamps of Columbia Records Photo to verso. 9 x 7 inches (23.1 x 17.7 cm). Slight tear to right margin; else in fine condition. Read More...
A superb set of four original doubleweight photographs by Ken Regan, taken in 1972 at Lincoln Center, New York. Three measuring 9 x 14 inches, one 9.75 x 14 inches. Edges slightly creased, overall fine. Stamped by the photographer on the verso of each and identified in his hand. Read More...
Original gelatin silver print by the German-born American photographer and photojournalist, showing the great conductor on stage, leading his orchestra with an intense energy! Signed in ink to recto by the photographer, lower right, and editioned 5/250 lower left. Signed, titled, and dated on verso in pencil. Unexamined out of frame but in apparently fine condition. Sight 8 x 12 inches; nicely matted and framed to an overall size of 22 x 25.5 inches (56 x 65 cm). Read More...
Remarkable original photograph of the very young conductor, who is shown on the podium in rehearsal ca. 1951, framed by the silhouettes of two musicians. A truly stunning image. Creases to edges, small verso tape repairs to tears along upper and right margins, else in fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).
Original 1951 press photograph of Bernstein rehearsing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Mahler's Second Symphony. Press and photographer (Kaste?) sheets affixed to verso, slightly trimmed and with surface crazing, else fine. A really remarkable early image. 7.75 x 9 inches.
Photograph of the (then) doyen of American composers, his younger colleague and the Ukrainian-American violinist, with printed caption to head, "11/9/80 New York: Violinist Isaac Stern (L) and conductor Leonard Bernstein congratulate Aaron Copland 11/9 on his 80th birthday celebration at Carnegie Hall. Bernstein conducted the American Symphony Orchestra in a special Copland Birthday Celebration for the dean of American composers." Oblong format, 9.5 x 7 inches (17.6 x 24 cm). In fine condition.
An original doubleweight photograph of the important composer and conductor shown in semi-profile from below, taken by fellow composer David Diamond and with his raised stamp lower left, inscribed in blue ink to verso "Credit: Photo / David Diamond" and in pencil "Venezia 1954." 9 x 6.75 inches (23.3 x 17.5 cm). In very fine condition. Read More...
Original large format exhibition photograph showing Bernstein, Blitzstein, and Blake watching an unidentified pianist (who bears a striking resemblance to composer Elliot Carter) at the keyboard, taken at the "Rountable on Ragtime"at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA in the summer of 1951. Board-mounted silver gelatin print with Kalischer's signature to mount and Stockbridge stamp and hand-numbering to verso of mount. [Lenox, 1951]. A few modest scuffs to the mount, else fine. Photograph 10.5 x 13.5 inches; Mount 20 x 16 inches. Read More...
Original photograph of the young composer/conductor, with a press clipping affixed to verso with text reading "Leonard Bernstein, assisted by some of Broadway's leading musical comedy stars, launches the fifth season of 'Omnibus' on NBC tonight. Bernstein will explore the birth and growth of the musical comedy in America." Small staple holes upper right, stains around margins, else very good condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (17 x 21.5 cm).