Archival Manuscript/Mixed Formats (Collection)Leonard Bernstein collection, circa 1900-1995
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Main title
- Leonard Bernstein collection, circa 1900-1995 (bulk 1933-1990).
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Description
- approximately 400,000 items (1723 boxes, 710 linear feet)
Rights advisory
- Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Access advisory
- Open to research.
- The contents of the Leonard Bernstein Collection; Available for examination and study in the Library of Congress Performing Arts Reading Room; Permission to make any commercial or public use of the material, whether for performance, recording, publication, etc. Further permission information available by consultation with a reference librarian in the Library of Congress Music Division; The Leonard Bernstein Office.
- Requests to make public or commercial use of this Collections' material; Should be directed to; Hannah Webster (she/her/hers), Head of Licensing, The Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc., 121 West 27th St., Suite 1104, New York, NY 10001, [email protected].
- Not all materials in this collection may be readily accessible; please request accessibility information well in advance of your visit https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/perform.contact opens in a new window
Finding aids
- Finding aid available in the Library of Congress Performing Arts Reading Room and at https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/eadmus.mu998001 opens in a new window
LC classification
- ML31 .B49
Related names
Biography/History note
- Leonard Bernstein (b. August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts; d. October 14, 1990, in New York City) was an American composer, conductor, pianist, writer, and lecturer.
Organized/Arranged
- Organized into the following series: I. Correspondence (1928-1994, undated), II. Writings (1928-1991, subdivided: General Writings Chronology, Television Scripts, Norton Lecutres/The Unanswered Question, Book Materials, III. Personal Materials (1935-1990), IV. Music (1932-1995), subdivided: Holograph Music (1935-1990), Non-Holograph Music and Production Materials (1932-1995), V. Photographs (1915-1993), VI. Datebooks (1944-1990), VII. Schedules (1983-1992), VIII. Address Books and Message Books (1988-1989), IX. Iconography, X. Programs (1925-1993), XI. Fan Mail (1938-1990, undated), XII. Press Materials (1930-1994, undated), XIII. Business Papers (1944-1994), XIV. Scrapbooks (1933-1987).
Summary
- The collection contains correspondence, photographs, writings, personal business papers, the archives from Bernstein's corporate identity, Amberson Inc., scrapbooks, clippings and press materials, programs, datebooks and schedules, iconography, and fan mail. In addition, there are music manuscripts for many of his compositions, including 'The age of anxiety' (Symphony no. 2); 'Candide'; 'Chichester Psalms'; 'Fancy free'; 'Jeremiah' (Symphony no. 1); 'On the waterfront'; 'Prelude, fugue and riffs'; 'Serenade after Plato's "Symposium"'; 'Trouble in Tahiti'; 'West Side story'; and 'Wonderful town.'
- The Correspondence series consists of more than 17,500 individual items from over 3,300 individuals or organizations. In addition to such standard items as letters, postcards, telegrams, and birthday and greeting cards, the correspondence also contains the occasional photograph, music manuscript, diary, appointment book, script, collection of poems, or art work (e.g., sketches). Over 300 condolence letters were sent to Bernstein after the death of his father, referenced under Bernstein, Samuel J.; and there are over 700 letters, referenced under Coates, Helen, primarily from Bernstein to Coates, but also from various other persons to Coates, from Coates to Bernstein, and from Bernstein to several other persons. In the case of Helen Coates, each of the correspondents found in her file is listed parenthetically following her name in the guide with cross-references listed under the correspondent.
- The Writings series contains a diverse group of documents that reflect Bernstein's wide-ranging activities. General Writings Chronology, includes the bulk of the writings, arranged in date order--by date of creation, publication, performance, presentation, or other approximate date. This is followed by the Television Scripts subseries which is further subdivided into the Young People's Concerts Television Scripts; Bound Television Scripts; Television Scripts Collections--Notebooks; and TelePrompTer scripts. The final two subseries are Norton Lectures/The Unanswered Question and Book Materials. The Norton lectures include not only Bernstein's manuscript notes, draft scripts, and annotated typescripts, but also notes and outlines of others who helped prepare the lectures, research materials, television production materials, TelePrompTer scripts, and correspondence relating to the production and distribution of the lectures on video. The Book Materials include typescripts, musical examples, planning materials, correspondence with the publisher, and publisher's proofs.
- The Music series is subdivided into two subseries: Holograph Music and Non-Holograph Music and Production Materials. The holograph music represents the music written in Bernstein's hand, from sketches to fair copies. It includes other related materials such as notes, correspondence, and scripts. There are also photocopies of manuscripts, particularly works where the originals were gifts to friends and family. The second subseries comprises a wide variety of items: copies of Bernstein manuscripts; scores in the hands of arrangers, orchestrators and assistants; copyist manuscripts; photo-reproductions of various kinds; and printed music. These materials came to the Library over several years and include items that were edited, printed, compiled, or published after Bernstein's death. Significant portions of the music are annotated by Bernstein, many of them quite heavily, to the degree that, in some instances, they might almost be considered holographs themselves. The production materials are a fairly modest percentage of this subseries, but includes scripts, correspondence, business papers, notes, audition materials, and other items. In the case of Candide, there are also photocopies of Richard Wilbur's lyric sketches for the show and other materials, copied from the Richard Wilbur Collection at the Amherst College Library.
- The Photographs series contains formal and informal photos of Bernstein, his family, friends and colleagues; and of places, events and activities. The Datebooks series contains over fifty of Bernstein's datebooks dating from 1944 to 1990, and covering virtually his entire professional career. The datebooks have annotations in many hands, though primarily those of either Bernstein or his secretary Helen Coates. The Schedules series contains over ninety schedules regarding Bernstein's travel, conducting, recording and other appearances between October 1983 and December 1992. Some schedules may cover the same time period as plans were changed or refined.
- The Address Books and Message Books series contains six address books that appear to cover different periods of time and may have been used at various locations. One address book includes only foreign addresses. In addition, there are three telephone message books for the period 1988 to 1989. The Iconography series includes cartoons, pen and ink drawings, watercolors, prints, caricatures, and other items of a visual nature. Many of the works are representations of Bernstein or of a production conducted by Bernstein.
- The Programs series contains approximately 2,800 programs dating from 1925 through 1993. Many significant programs may be found only in the Scrapbooks series, particularly those dating through the 1950's. While most of the programs in the collection are concert programs, the series also contains programs to other types of events, including memorial services, films, stage works, radio or television series, tributes, festivals, graduation ceremonies, award ceremonies, and recordings. Some of the programs are for events which Bernstein attended but did not participate in.
- The Fan Mail series spans 1938 to 1990. The Press Materials series contains magazines, clippings, press books, and press kits. The Business Papers series is divided into two subseries: the Personal Business Papers, and the Amberson Business Papers. The Personal Business Papers reflect Bernstein's business dealings chiefly beginning in 1944 (and perhaps a bit earlier) and continuing through the early 1970s when the Amberson Corporation increasingly took over aspects of that work. Amberson Enterprises, Inc., Bernstein's management company, was founded February 20, 1959, with Helen Coates, Abraham Friedman (Bernstein's lawyer) and H. Gordon Freeman (Bernstein's accountant) as directors. The Scrapbooks series rounds out the collection.
LC Subjects
- Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990.
- Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990--Archives.
- Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990--Manuscripts.
- Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990--Correspondence.
- Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990--Portraits.
- Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990--Photographs.
- Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990--Performances.
- Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990--Caricatures and cartoons.
- Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990--Autographs.
- Anderson, Marian, 1897-1993--Photographs.
- Antoniou, Theodore, 1935-2018.--Correspondence.
- Antoniou, Theodore, 1935-2018.--Photographs.
- Balanchine, George--Photographs.
- Behrens, Hildegard--Photographs.
- Ben-Gurion, David, 1886-1973--Photographs.
- Bernstein, Felicia--Correspondence.
- Bernstein, Felicia--Photographs.
- Bing, Rudolf, 1902-1997--Photographs.
- Blitzstein, Marc--Correspondence.
- Blitzstein, Marc--Photographs.
- Böhm, Karl, 1894-1981--Correspondence.
- Boulanger, Nadia--Correspondence.
- Boulanger, Nadia--Photographs.
- Boulez, Pierre, 1925-2016--Correspondence.
- Burton, Humphrey, 1931---Photographs.
- Callas, Maria, 1923-1977--Photographs.
- Carlisle, Kitty, 1910-2007--Photographs.
- Carter, Jimmy, 1924---Photographs.
- Chavez, Carlos, 1899-1978--Correspondence.
- Coates, Helen, 1899-1989--Correspondence.
- Coates, Helen, 1899-1989--Photographs.
- Comden, Betty--Correspondence.
- Comden, Betty--Photographs.
- Copland, Aaron, 1900-1990--Correspondence.
- Copland, Aaron, 1900-1990--Photographs.
- Culshaw, John--Photographs.
- DePreist, James, 1936-2013--Correspondence.
- Diamond, David, 1915-2005--Correspondence.
- Diamond, David, 1915-2005--Photographs.
- Duke, Vernon, 1903-1969--Correspondence.
- Farberman, Harold, 1929-2018--Correspondence.
- Fine, Irving, 1914-1962--Correspondence.
- Fischer-Dieskau, Dietrich, 1925-2012--Photographs.
- Foss, Lukas, 1922-2009--Photographs.
- Frantz, Justus--Correspondence.
- Frantz, Justus--Photographs.
- Gebhard, Heinrich, 1878-1963--Photographs.
- Gellhorn, Martha, 1908-1998--Correspondence.
- Ginastera, Alberto, 1916-1983--Correspondence.
- Goodman, Benny, 1909-1986--Photographs.
- Gottlieb, Jack--Photographs.
- Gould, Morton, 1913-1996--Correspondence.
- Green, Adolph--Correspondence.
- Green, Adolph--Photographs.
- Green, Johnny, 1908-1989--Correspondence.
- Hadley, Jerry--Photographs.
- Hellman, Lillian, 1905-1984--Correspondence.
- Hellman, Lillian, 1905-1984--Photographs.
- Horne, Marilyn--Photographs.
- Hume, Paul, 1915-2001--Correspondence.
- Ives, Charles, 1874-1954--Correspondence.
- Jones, Quincy, 1933---Photographs.
- Kaplan, Abraham, 1931---Photographs.
- Kostelanetz, Andre, 1901-1980--Correspondence.
- Koussevitzky, Serge, 1874-1951--Correspondence.
- Koussevitzky, Serge, 1874-1951--Photographs.
- Levine, James, 1943-2021.--Photographs.
- Lieberson, Goddard, 1911-1977--Correspondence.
- Lipkin, Seymour--Correspondence.
- Ludwig, Christa--Photographs.
- Markevitch, Igor, 1912-1983--Correspondence.
- Mauceri, John--Correspondence.
- Mauceri, John--Photographs.
- McClure, John--Photographs.
- Menotti, Gian Carlo, 1911-2007--Correspondence.
- Menuhin, Yehudi, 1916-1999--Photographs.
- Midori, 1971---Photographs.
- Milhaud, Darius, 1892-1974--Correspondence.
- Mitropoulos, Dimitri, 1896-1960--Correspondence.
- Mitropoulos, Dimitri, 1896-1960--Photographs.
- Moseley, Carlos--Correspondence.
- Moseley, Carlos--Photographs.
- Munch, Charles, 1891-1968--Photographs.
- Nabokov, Nicolas, 1903-1978--Correspondence.
- Nagano, Kent, 1951---Correspondence.
- Newman, Phyllis, 1935---Photographs.
- Nolen, Timothy--Photographs.
- Oppenheim, David, 1922-2007--Correspondence.
- Oppenheim, David, 1922-2007--Photographs.
- Ormandy, Eugene, 1899-1985--Correspondence.
- Ozawa, Seiji, 1935-2024--Correspondence.
- Ozawa, Seiji, 1935-2024--Photographs.
- Pasternak, Boris Leonidovich, 1890-1960--Correspondence.
- Peress, Maurice--Correspondence.
- Perle, George, 1915-2009--Correspondence.
- Perlman, Itzhak, 1945---Photographs.
- Piston, Walter, 1894-1976--Correspondence.
- Popp, Lucia--Photographs.
- Prawy, Marcel, 1911-2003--Correspondence.
- Prawy, Marcel, 1911-2003--Photographs.
- Previn, André, 1929-2019--Photographs.
- Réaux, Angelina--Correspondence.
- Resnik, Regina, 1922-2013--Photographs.
- Riegger, Wallingford, 1885-1961--Correspondence.
- Robbins, Jerome--Correspondence.
- Robbins, Jerome--Photographs.
- Rodzinski, Artur, 1892-1958--Correspondence.
- Rorem, Ned, 1923-2022--Correspondence.
- Rostropovich, Mstislav, 1927-2007--Correspondence.
- Rostropovich, Mstislav, 1927-2007--Photographs.
- Schuman, William, 1910-1992--Correspondence.
- Schuman, William, 1910-1992--Photographs.
- Shapero, Harold, 1920-2013--Correspondence.
- Sheng, Bright, 1955---Photographs.
- Siegmeister, Elie, 1909-1991--Correspondence.
- Smit, Leo, 1921-1999--Correspondence.
- Sondheim, Stephen--Correspondence.
- Sondheim, Stephen--Photographs.
- Stern, Isaac, 1920-2001--Correspondence.
- Stern, Isaac, 1920-2001--Photographs.
- Stevens, Roger L.--Correspondence.
- Stravinsky, Igor, 1882-1971--Correspondence.
- Stravinsky, Igor, 1882-1971--Photographs.
- Styne, Jule, 1905-1994--Correspondence.
- Thompson, Randall, 1899-1984--Photographs.
- Thomson, Virgil, 1896-1989--Correspondence.
- Thorne, Francis--Correspondence.
- Tilson Thomas, Michael, 1944---Photographs.
- Toscanini, Arturo, 1867-1957--Photographs.
- Tourel, Jennie--Correspondence.
- Tourel, Jennie--Photographs.
- Urquhart, Craig--Photographs.
- Wadsworth, Stephen--Correspondence.
- Wadsworth, Stephen--Photographs.
- Walker, Nancy, 1922-1992--Photographs.
- Watts, Andre--Photographs.
- Yannatos, James--Correspondence.
- Yardumian, Richard--Correspondence.
- Zeffirelli, Franco--Correspondence.
- Zeffirelli, Franco--Photographs.
- Zirato, Bruno--Photographs.
- Amberson Inc.
- Charles Eliot Norton lectures.
- Young people's concerts (Television program)
- Music--Manuscripts--United States.
- Conductors (Music)--United States--Correspondence.
- Conductors (Music)--United States--Photographs.
- Composers--United States--Correspondence.
- Composers--United States--Photographs.
- Musicians--United States--Correspondence.
- Musicians--United States--Photographs.
- Music--History and criticism.
- Orchestral music--Analysis, appreciation.
- Music appreciation.
- Fan mail.
Form/Genre
Browse by shelf order
Notes
- Sound recordings and audio-visual materials; Leonard Bernstein Collection (MAVIS collection no. 2511); Transferred to the; Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, Library of Congress.
- Collection material in English.
- The Library of Congress Music Division holds the Mildred Spiegel Zucker collection of Leonard Bernstein correspondence and related materials which contains correspondence from Bernstein to Zucker.
Acquisition source
- Beginning in 1953 and continuing until 1967, Leonard Bernstein gave many of his most significant music manuscripts to the Library; between 1965 and 1983, Bernstein gave 104 scrapbooks to the Library (five additional scrapbooks were given by Brandeis University in 1973). Other sources of material: Helen Coates, Bernstein's longtime friend and secretary, left Bernstein related items to the Library in her will (received in 1991); 1991 and 1993 gifts of the Springate Corporation (representatives of the Bernstein estate); in 1997, Burton Bernstein, brother of Leonard Bernstein, gave the Library ninety-five additional items to add to the Bernstein Collection, originally from their mother's apartment.
Cite as
- Leonard Bernstein Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress.
Additional formats
- Digitized images along with identifying information and a narrative introduction are also available through the Library of Congress Web site under the title: The Leonard Bernstein Collection at https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/collmus.mu000003.
- Digital files regarding Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts Received on floppy disks; Access to digital materials needs to be arranged in advance. Please inquire through Ask a Librarian https://ask.loc.gov/performing-arts opens in a new window
- Scrapbooks; Available in microfilm only; Microfilm 99/20002 (Mus).
- Microfilmed scrapbooks Leonard Bernstein collection scrapbooks (DLC) 98220433
LCCN
- 2009536078
Invalid LCCN
- mm 99096358
Geographic area code
- n-us---
Repository
- Library of Congress Music Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA dcu https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/perform.home opens in a new window
Type of material
- Archival Manuscript/Mixed Formats (Collection)
Item Availability
CALL NUMBER
- Leonard Bernstein Collection FT MEADE
- Material stored offsite. Advance notice required for retrieval. Contact the Performing Arts Reading Room (Madison LM113)
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- Performing Arts Reading Rm (Madison, LM113) - STORED OFFSITE
Status
- Container no. 0642 Charged - Due - (Internal Loan)
- Container no. 0684 Charged - Due - (Internal Loan)
- Container no. 0796 Charged - Due - (Internal Loan)
- Container no. 0946 Charged - Due - (Internal Loan)
CALL NUMBER
- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Correspondence, containers 0001-0067, 68 OV, 60A-60J
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- Not Charged
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Scrapbooks, box SB 001-SB 130
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- Not Charged
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Music. Subseries: Non-Holograph Music and Production Materials, containers 1096-1582
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- Performing Arts Reading Room (Madison, LM113)
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- Not Charged
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Business Papers, containers 1026-1028
- Refer to finding aid; containers 0605-1025, 1029-1041 stored offsite
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- Performing Arts Reading Room (Madison, LM113)
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Writings, containers 0069-198A
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Personal materials, container 1086
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Music. Subseries: Holograph Music, containers 1042-1076, 1080-1085, 1087-1095
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Photographs, containers 0199-0320
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Datebooks, containers 0321-0327
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Schedules, containers 0328-0329
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Address Books and Message Books, containers 0330-0331
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Iconography, containers 0332-0334
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Programs, containers 0335-0386
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Fan Mail, containers 0387-0504
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- Leonard Bernstein Collection
- Series: Press Materials, containers 0505-0604
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CALL NUMBER
- Leonard Bernstein Collection Case SSF
- Series: Music. Subseries: Holograph Music, containers 1077-1079 (West Side story)
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- Performing Arts Reading Room (Madison, LM113)
Status
- Not Charged