LEONARD BERNSTEIN Important content T.L.S. "Lenny" on Hotel Duomo onionskin letterhead, 1p. 4to., Milan, Mar. 29, 1955 to noted Austrian music publisher and author Hans Heinsheimer, then employed at publisher G. Schirmer in New York. Bernstein, the first American to conduct at La Scala, writes concerning the Boston Symphony's performance of Serenade with Isaac Stern and of Schirmer's lack of regard for some of Bernstein's work. In part: "...I have since had some cables telling me of the success. I am sorry you had not been able to get up to Boston to hear the Serenade, which had a glorious success...It seems a piece for the public, as well as for musicians, and I hope it will join the repertory for a long while. We out to start thinking about recording it (with Isaac)...and also other violinists who might be interested (great ones, I mean). It's my first big concert piece since the Age of Anxiety, which was SIX years ago, imagine!...Helen [Coates, his piano teacher and secretary] writes me there is some difficulty about your giving a written release for the PRELUDE, FUGUE, AND RIFFS, which I don't understand. I distinctly remember your saying that Schirmer had no use for this piece, that is was for a jazz-band...it is most important that I have this release in order that I may be able to do something with this piece, which I have always been very proud of but unable to do anything with...I am enclosing a formal request..." . With a second T.L.S. "Leonard Bernstein ", same date and location, to Heinsheimer, mentioning that since "Schirmer's had no interest in publishing or handling my composition for jazz-band PRELUDE, FUGE and RIFFS (commissioned by Woody Herman in 1949)..." , Bernstein requests that he be sent a written release allowing publication of the piece elsewhere. Both letters signed with his indelible red pencil, rough margins, else very good. From the collection of Bernstein's assistant, promoter and fellow composer, Phillip Lambro. $1,000-1,500