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...
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...
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...
1.
[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...
Amusing original 1980 John Whitman photograph of the three great musicians at a reception in Washington, Slava shown laughing ans smiling broadly. Camera Press LTD and other stamps to verso, with press clipping. 6.5 x 4.7 inches and in fine condition.
Original 1958 photograph of Leonard Bernstein as he "goes over a musical score with the three oldest living composers represented in Bernstein's survey of American Music...John Becker, 72; Carl Ruggles, 82; Wallingford Riegger, 73." Some surface creasing and staining, else fine. 9 x 7 inches (23 x 18 cm.).
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: 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: 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...
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.
34.
[Photographs (unsigned)]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990). "Youth 25 Conducts Philharmonic in Emergency" - Original 1943 Photograph
Original International News Photo photograph of the young composer/conductor, printed around the time of his historic November 14, 1943 NY Philharmonic debut and with a press sheet affixed to verso with text reading "Youth 25 Conducts Philharmonic in Emergency" and describing Bernstein's famously filling in with a few hours’ notice and without rehearsal for an ailing Bruno Walter. The concert was broadcast nationally, and The New York Times ran a front-page story the next day, calling his performance “a good American success story.” Light scratches, overall in fine condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (17 x 21.5 cm).
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).
Very fine photograph of the American composer, conductor and pianist seated at the piano during a press conference at the Maison de la radio (headquarters of Radio France) on November 18, 1981, preceding a tour with the Orchestre national de France and Lorin Maazel, as explained by a typed note in French from Agence France-Presse attached to verso. 9.5 x 7 inches (17.6 x 38 cm). In fine condition.
Two press photographs of the American composer, conductor and pianist from his first two concerts with the New York Philharmonic in (West) Berlin, September 22 and 23, 1960. Copyrighted by Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa), with additional hand stamp of Agence France-Presse. Extended captions in German typed to versos regarding the guest performances. One picture is from a rehearsal, the other from the first concerts (which was part of the Berliner Festwochen festival). Both photos 8.25 x 6.25 inches (21 x 16 cm). In fine condition.
Photograph of the American composer, conductor and pianist and the Italian stage director and filmmaker seated at a table, talking and smiling at each other, with Bernstein hugging Visconti's head. From Agence France-Presse. Extended caption printed to verso explaining that the photo was made after the opening performance of Verdi's Falstaff at the Vienna State Opera, a production directed by Visconti and conducted by Bernstein. No date is given, but the performance took place in 1966. Oblong format, 5 x 7 inches (12.8 x 17.8 cm). Small crease to lower left corner; else in very good condition.
Original press photograph of Bernstein crying at the premiere of his "Mass" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. In fine condition, 7 x 9 inches.
Bernstein's "Mass" was commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy and was premiered on September 8, 1971,
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.
Original 1963 photograph of the American composer and conductor at the NY Philharmonic's Young People's Concert, "A Tribute to Teachers." Bernstein is shown standing with his own teacher, Renée Longy, and others, including Helen Coates, Olga Koussevitsky, A. Tillman Merritt and Philip Marson. In very fine condition. 9 x 7 inches (22.8 x 17.8 cm.).
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...