The Joy of Music.

BERNSTEIN, Leonard.

$12,500.00

Item Number: 135190

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1959.

First edition of Bernstein’s first collection of essays and conversations on the world of music; a national best-seller on its publication, this copy from the personal collection of his personal assistant Jack Gottleib. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece portrait of Bernstein conducting by Roy Stevens. Association copy, inscribed by Bernstein in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “This copy is for Jack, who may not have written this book, by might as well have- with thanks and affection, Lenny 28 Oct ’59.” The recipient, Jack Gottlieb, was not only Bernstein’s personal assistant, but a trained composer and musician who played an instrumental role in the shaping and publication of Bernstein’s first three books. In his memoir “Working with Bernstein”, Gottlieb relayed, “Close to my heart were the editing jobs I did on three of Bernstein’s popular books. First was ‘The Joy of Music,’ on which I had the pleasure of working with the genial Henry Simon of Simon and Schuster. The next two books, also S&S publications, were co-edited with gentlemen who have since become distinguished men of letters: Michael Korda on ‘Young People’s Concerts for Reading and Listening’ and Robert Gottlieb (no relation) on ‘The Infinite Variety of Music’ (pp. 22-23). In addition to single-handedly managing negotiations with Bernstein’s publishers, Gottlieb managed Bernstein’s over-booked professional schedule and shared the unique experience of navigating the 20th century American landscape of conducting and composition as a relative minority of Jewish faith and ancestry. Very good in a good dust jacket. Jacket design by Ronald Clyne. With Gottlieb’s newspaper clippings related to the publication of the book laid in. An exceptional association copy, inscribed by Bernstein to the man who not only facilitated this volume’s publication, but Bernstein’s success and recognition as an American composer.

Perhaps Bernstein's finest collection of conversations on the meaning and wonder of music, The Joy of Music stands as a classic for all lovers of music who wish to experience it through the eyes, ears, and mind of one of the most inspired, and inspiring, music intellects of our time. Employing the creative device of "Imaginary Conversations" in the first section of the book, Bernstein illuminates the importance of the symphony in America, the greatness of Beethoven, jazz, and the art of composing. The book also includes a photo section and a third section with the transcripts from his televised Omnibus music series, including "Beethoven's Fifth Symphony," "The World of Jazz," "Introduction to Modern Music," and "What Makes Opera Grand."