EUGENE ORMANDY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 01/11/1961 - HFSID 81280

EUGENE ORMANDY
Conductor Eugene Ormandy signed this typed letter, on Philadelphia Orchestra Association letterhead, to music teacher Peter Mennin in 1961 after a trip to the hospital.
Typed Letter signed: "Eugene Ormandy", 1p, 7¼x10½. On letterhead of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1961 January 11. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mennin, Peabody Institute of Music, Baltimore, Maryland. In full: "Thank you for your nice telegram and your good wishes. My wife and I are now home from the hospital and progressing rapidly. However, my doctors insist (demand might be a better word) that I rest quietly for about a week, with no telephone calls and no visitors. I find this very difficult but, on the other hand, I realize that these rules are made for my own good. With all good wishes to you both, in which my wife joins me, and thank you again for your lovely telegram. Cordially yours." Renowned as the Conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra for an unprecedented 44 years, Budapest-born Eugene EUGENE ORMANDY (1899-1985) had begun his musical career as a violinist. After making his U.S. concert debut in 1924, he joined CBS, becoming one of radio's first important conductors. In 1931, Ormandy was asked to replace Arturo Toscanini, who was scheduled to make a guest appearance with the Philadelphia Symphony but had taken ill. Ormandy became an overnight sensation following his performance. He was named Associate Conductor of the Symphony in 1936 and permanent Conductor in 1938. Under his direction, the Symphony became the first U.S. symphony to perform in the People's Republic of China. For his contributions to American music, Ormandy was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1970 and was a Kennedy Center honoree in 1982. He had retired as Conductor Emeritus in 1980, five years before his death. PETER MENNIN (1923-1983), a prominent American composer of symphonic music and other works, was Director of the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore from 1958 to 1962. Slightly creased. Fine condition.