Stravinsky at Harvard, on the "Firebird"
Typed Letter, Signed ("Igor Strawinsky"), dated 1 May, 1940, on Harvard letterhead, to Dickson Ash of John C. Winston Co., acknowledging receipt of the Donald E. Cooke illustrated "Firebird" published by the firm.
Cambridge: 1940.
Price: $900.00
About the item
One page, typewritten, signed in black ink. 1 vols. 4to. Stravinsky at Harvard, on the "Firebird" Old folds. Fine, with original typed mailing envelope (typed name "Igor Strawinsky" above printed return address).
Item #244796
"Stravinsky began his stay in the United States at Harvard University, delivering six Charles Eliot Norton lectures on musical poetics during the 1939-1940 academic year" (ADNB).
In this brief formal letter, Stravinsky acknowledges receipt of an edition of the Russian legend retold and illustrated by Donald E. Cooke. It was Stravinsky's 1910 score of The Firebird for the Ballets Russes that first brought him international notice. The New York Times obituary of Stravinsky, published on 6 April 1971, noted "He also was not pleased that 'The Firebird' remained his most popular composition."
Uncommon document from early in Stravinsky's residence in the U.S., when he still spelt his surname with "w" in his signature and return address.
