(New York): (1954-84).
Sold
Softcover. A small group of five vocal scores belonging to the American composer and writer Jack Gottlieb, who also served as Leonard Bernstein’s “right-hand man” throughout most of Bernstein’s career beginning in 1958. Most are working scores extensively annotated in Gottlieb's hand. Included are two Leonard Bernstein scores Inscribed by Bernstein to Gottleib: *Overture to Candide* and *Kaddish* (with the lyrics extensively emended by Gottlieb), and Gottlieb’s marked copy of *West Side Story* which he used during Bernstein’s high-profile operatic recording of *West Side Story* in 1984. The score is Signed by three of the cast’s legendary singers: Tatiana Troyanos, Kiri Te Kanawa, and Jose Carreras, as well as Sid Ramin (who co-orchestrated the music); and two of Bernstein’s children (Nina and Alexander). The recording won a Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1985, and the recording process was filmed as a documentary.
Also included is Gottlieb’s heavily annotated copy of Aaron Copland’s *Sextet for String Quartet, Clarinet and Piano*, Inscribed by Copland: “For Jack Gottlieb, who really earned this, Aaron Copland, Tanglewood, 1954.” The fifth vocal score: Richard Wagner’s *Tristan and Isolde*, has Leonard Bernstein’s “Tristan” bookplate tipped-in on the verso of the front wrap (and a few light markings by Gottlieb).
Gottlieb first fell under Bernstein’s spell at Brandeis University in the 1950s, where they studied musical comedy together. They began their lifelong collaboration in 1958, with Gottlieb first serving as Bernstein’s assistant and as editor of his television lectures. Gottlieb’s book *Working with Bernstein*, published in 2010, is recognized as the most valuable Bernstein memoir, both for its candor and its musical insights.
A detailed description of each score follows:
1. Bernstein, Leonard. *Kaddish / Symphony No. 3*. Vocal Score. For Orchestra, Mixed Chorus, Boys’ Choir, Speaker (Woman) and Soprano Solo. Vocal score by Abraham Kaplan and Ruth Mense. New York, N.Y.: Amberson Enterprises, Inc., Publisher; G. Schirmer, Inc., Sole Selling Agent (Copyright 1965, plate no. 45743). Large octavo. Printed wrapper. pp. VI, 119. Small ink stamp: “Property of Jack Gottlieb” on front wrap. Rubbing and some darkening and wear to the spine back, near fine.
Inscribed by Bernstein on the title page: “You can’t escape yet. / I have you, Gottlieb, locked in my dream … / with affection and thanks / Lenny / 20 Sept. ’65.”
The lyrics throughout the score are amended and emended by Gottlieb in manuscript (red pencil). In addition there are a few marginal notes and light scattered markings by Gottlieb in red pencil. Two photocopied pages and a contemporary clipping laid-in.
2. Bernstein, Leonard. *Overture to “Candide”*. G. Schirmer’s Edition of Study Scores of Orchestral Works and Chamber Music. No. 79. New York: G. Schirmer, (Copyright 1957, plate no. 44206). Small quarto. Stapled printed wrapper. pp. [4], 47. Modest toning on the wrapper, wear and scattered small tears on the spine, else near fine.
Inscribed by Bernstein on the title page: “For Jack - / With everything good and fruitful for living and working - / LB.”
3. Bernstein, Leonard, Stephen Sondheim, et al. *West Side Story*. Vocal Score. New York: Amberson: G. Schirmer, Inc. and Chappell & Co., Inc. (Copyright 1959, plate no. 44415). Large quarto. Printed wrapper. pp. [4], 200. Small sticker on front wrap with: “JG Personal” in manuscript, and Gottlieb’s initials written in red pencil on the title page. Modest soiling, some staining to the spine, else near fine.
Signed in ink on the title page by Sid Ramin, Nina Bernstein, Alexander Bernstein, Tatiana Troyanos, Kiri Te Kanawa, and Jose Carreras.
Jack Gottlieb’s working copy, marked throughout by him in pencil, and with one small sheet of manuscript notes (in pencil) laid in. With a typed label (by Gottlieb) pasted onto the front wrap verso: “Recording Sessions of West Side Story conducted by Leonard Bernstein for DG / September 5-7, 1984 / Autographs on title page: Sid Ramin, Nina Bernstein, Alexander Bernstein, Tatiana Troyanos, Kiri Te Kanawa, Jose Carreras.”
4. Copland, Aaron. *Sextet for String Quartet, Clarinet and Piano*. Hawkes Pocket Scores. London: (Copyright 1948, plate no. B. & H. 16235). 12mo. Stapled printed wrapper. pp. 45. With Jack Gottlieb’s name and address in manuscript on the front wrap. The wrapper is detached and split along the spine fold, with remnants of paper tape on both wraps along the spine, one page has a long horizontal tear, else about very good.
Inscribed by Copland on the title page: “For Jack Gottlieb / who really earned this /Aaron Copland / Tanglewood, 1954.”
Very heavily marked and annotated by Gottlieb throughout in pencil. In addition there are 4 index cards with manuscript notes by Gottlieb pertaining to Copland and the work.
5. Wagner, Richard. *Tristan and Isolde*. Kalmus Vocal Scores. With German-English text and table of motifs. New York, N.Y.: Edwin F. Kalmus. Large octavo. Printed wrapper. pp. XII, 276. With Gottlieb’s name and address in manuscript on the title page: “Jack S. Gottlieb, 17 Lincoln St., New Rochelle, N.Y.” Darkening to the spine, light diagonal crease to a few leaves at the back, the final leaf is partially split (about 1 inch) at the top margin, very good.
With Leonard Bernstein’s “Tristan” bookplate tipped-in on the verso of the front wrap. There are a few light markings by Gottlieb in pencil throughout the Introduction of the first act (pp. 1-4).
Item #420559
