Free The Leonard Bernstein Letters by Leonard Bernstein Page B

to attempt the organization of a young orchestra? I am sure there are many instrumentalists in Boston who would be glad of orchestral experience; if you liked the idea, we might even establish it as a kind of training orchestra for the Boston Symphony. If these young people knew you were behind it, I am sure they would rally to the cause.
    The problem for me is to make contact with these people. Again, if you could speak to the men of your orchestra, they might be willing to send their pupils to this orchestra. I realize the responsibility I would be shouldering, but I do it only under the influence of your spirit which still hovers around me. I could then work with an orchestra (which would derive great benefit from their association with you) and still be here to work with you this season. Please don't think me presumptuous; I am just making a great effort to be practical.
    Please try to get some rest before the season. I am sorry to intrude on your privacy even with this letter; but I am made bold by my recent reading of Nietzsche, who teaches me that I must be somewhat bolder if I, like his Zarathustra, shall ever face “the great Noon-Tide.”
    In eternal devotion,
    Leonard
    Warmest greetings to Madame Koussevitzky and Miss Naumoff.
    62. Leonard Bernstein to David Diamond
    2122 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
    11 October 1940
    Dear David,
    I am (O wrest the power from the powerful) in Philly. Nay, living here. There has been a commotion in the diplomatic heavens 76 and I, O fearful pawn, was set with a sharp click in Rittenhouse Square. I'll tell you all anon.
    Which means that I shan't be in Boston when you are. God bless the Sat. night concert, & have a good burlesque show.
    I'd be incredibly happy to do the NMQR recordings. I am “serious” about it, and very flattered that you should still want me to do it. So write, & set some dates, voice the stipulations, & I'll pop out as from a pigeon-hole. Mais l'important, que tu m'écrives, et cela bientôt.
    Lenny
    63. Leonard Bernstein to Kenneth Ehrman
    2122 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
    15 October 1940
    Cher Kenneth,
    Incredible that you put up with what you put up with what you put up (with?). Everything that constitutes a means of improvement for you is at your disposal, except, apparently, the initial desire. That's available, to, at a reasonable fee. You're not lazy. Why don't you investigate?
    I couldn't imagine what you were doing at Lafayette, Ind., but I wrote you there, & no response. Of course, I wrote you again at Palo Alto (first sending it to Box 817, Palo Alto, 'steada Menlo Park). By the way, did you know there was Menlo Park, New Jersey?
    But having forgotten what I said to you in that Odyssean letter, I may be guilty of repeating myself. En tous cas, comme tu aperçois, sans doute, ci-haut (that sounds wrong) I am in Philly. I don't know; I never asked to be here. Something makes it inevitable. I may have told you that Kouss had great plans for me which involved my staying in Boston but they were given the K.O. by the Hon. Curtis Institute, which objected strenuously at (read: to) student-swiping, & vowed to discontinue all relationship with Kouss & his school if I didn't return. Matter of ethics, don't you know, setting a precedent, don't you know, etc. Reiner was furious. He had seen me referred to in printed items as Kouss’ pupil – no mention of him (antecedents again; means Reiner). So me voici, & lucky to be, O misery me, ta da ta da. But I've got a magnificent room with a double bed & massive mahogany furniture, & the school is doing almost all the supporting. Therefore, easier. Therefore, out goes Mexico, & Kouss, & you, & Cambridge, & California. Nothing left for you to do but come here. Please try; there are some things you might profit by that you haven't yet seen. By “here” I mean East, not Philly: I'm in this city only because Koussie realized that he'd be losing an A-1 customer in Mrs. Bok if he didn't kowtow. So I became a