Free The Leonard Bernstein Letters by Leonard Bernstein Page A

greatly impressed wants me to study with him in Boston this winter, if he can get an orchestra for me to work with. I'll know in a fewweeks. Write, & spare no gory details. I'm with you til the plane wheels flaming to the Japanese (Chinese, I suppose it shd be) soil –
    Len
    58. Leonard Bernstein to Aaron Copland
    17 Lake Avenue, Sharon, MA
    [August or early September 1940]
    Aaron, foremost of men,
    Where are you? And if so, why no word? You said you'd write, according to Green. Not seeing you is something of a shock, you understand. The summer was a revelation in that regard. Neither of us (I hope) tired of the other (I had feared you might) and I came, in fact, to depend in many ways on you. I've never felt about anyone before as I do about you. Completely at ease, & always comforted with you. This is not a love letter, but I'm quite mad about you.
    Might Yaddo on Sept. 7 & 8 be interesting? 74 Are you planning to go? I was thinking of upping to Lenox next week or so to see the Kouss. Perhaps I could combine both. Write fast & let me hear. Best to Victor.
    Love,
    Lenny
    P.S. I've finished the Fiddle Sonata, &, by God, there's something about the ending that's wonderful – almost mature. I want you to see the whole thing now – I like it better.
    59. Leonard Bernstein to Serge Koussevitzky 75
    17 Lake Avenue, Sharon, MA
    [before 5 September 1940]
    Dear Dr. Koussevitzky,
    Words are a remote enough medium of expression for any musician, but it is especially difficult for me to find words for this letter. Let it be brief.
    This summer to me was beauty – beauty in work, and strength of purpose, and cooperation. I am full of humility and gratitude for having shared so richly in it. These last six weeks have been the happiest and most productive of my life. I have been able, for the first time, to concentrate completely on my main purpose, with a glorious freedom from personal problems.
    It was a renaissance for me – a rehabilitation of the twisted and undefined Weltanschauung with which I came to you.
    For your creative energy, your instinct for truth, your incredible incorporation of teacher and artist, I give humble thanks. Seeing in you my own concepts matured is a challenge to me which I hope to fulfill in your great spirit.
    I am now at home, resting with my family. I hope to be in Lenox within the next few weeks, and I should very much like to see you and talk with you. Can you let me know when this would be best for you?
    Please give my very warm greetings to Madame Koussevitzky, and to Miss Naumoff.
    In devotion, and in gratitude,
    Leonard Bernstein
    60. Serge Koussevitzky to Leonard Bernstein
    Lenox, MA
    5 September 1940
    Dear Leonard,
    Thank you for your letter.
    Nothing could have made me happier than to know that your work this summer has really given you beauty and strength and a better understanding of the gifts with which nature has endowed you.
    I shall be glad to see you sometime during the middle of this month, let us say Tuesday, the 17th, or Wednesday, the 18th, – and I shall look forward to your coming to Lenox.
    My best wishes are with you always.
    Serge Koussevitzky
    61. Leonard Bernstein to Serge Koussevitzky
    86 Park Avenue, Newton, MA
    30 September 1940
    Dear Dr. Koussevitzky,
    As I sit and wait for the outcome of your plan, in a kind of Proustian twilight state between knowing and not knowing, between sleeping and waking – in the midst of all this I have had an inspiring idea. It would have to have – and I pray it will have – your support.
    I have met one or two of the people who have been conducting small orchestras in Greater Boston, and I have been singularly unimpressed – or rather, singularly im pressed with their lack of equipment. It occurred to me that if they can get orchestras of young people, perhaps I could. And with your support, almost certainly.
    If you are unable to establish connections with the representatives of Backward Boston, don't you think it would be wise for me