Five Letters to Rosamond Bernier

An interesting group of three autograph letters, two typed letters, and one autograph postcard from the important American composer to art lecturer and memoirist Rosamond ("Peggy") Bernier. Copland and Bernier met in Mexico City in 1936, when Copland was a young, penniless conductor and Bernier a sophomore at Sarah Lawrence; Bernier described the lifelong friendship that followed as "cloudless."

A typed letter dated Thanksgiving [1942] and signed "Love - A" has been written half by Copland and half by his longtime lover Victor Kraft, giving news of their Thanksgiving celebration in Oakland, Copland's latest commissions, Virgil Thomson's birthday, and the couple's gloomy view of how long the war will last. Copland writes: "Darling Peggley: Victor seems to be having difficulties getting this letter started so here I am to the rescue. If I didn't know you were in Mexico I could read it on his face. Antonio keeps urging me to write a symphony in Chapala, so if there weren't a war on that would be the thing to do. Write a symphony with you as inspiration [...] Soon it will be a year since the day at Vedado, where you made such a long face at news of the Pearl Harbor attack. I was trying to get V to prognosticate the end--he's so good at such things, but the best I could get was fifty years. That seems like a long time..."

Two autograph letters and a postcard dated November 2, 1970, September 15, 1971, and May 3, 1975, send greetings to Bernier, the last mentioning her upcoming (third) wedding, to art critic John Russell. Copland, who would give Bernier away at the ceremony, writes: "When the wedding invitation arrived I had a guilty feeling about having done nothing about appropriate music - I'm hoping you haven't depended on me for ideas - for if so, I'm a terrible flop! [...] I'm looking forward to seeing you and blessing you on the Great Day."

The final typed letter, dated June 5, 1981, introduces Bernier to Vivian Perlis, his biographer: "She is, as is only natural, very anxious to speak with you in relation to our long friendship. I would very much appreciate it if you would spend a little time with her."

Each letter 1 p. Some edge wear and creases to the earliest letter, but otherwise overall in fine condition.  (13830)

---

Autograph Letter

TLS

Classical Music

• Sold