EUGENE ORMANDY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 11/23/1960 - HFSID 79602

EUGENE ORMANDY
Conductor Eugene Ormandy signed this typed letter to composer Peter Mennin on his personalized letterhead at the Philadelphia Orchestra Association in 1960 about an article written by Mennin and his Sixth Symphony.
Typed letter signed "Eugene Ormandy". 1 page, 7¼x10½, on Ormandy's personalized letterhead at the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. Nov. 23, 1960. Addressed to Mr. Peter Mennin, Peabody Institute, Baltimore, Maryland.In full: "Dear Mr. Mennin: Mr. Spatz sent me the draft of the state-ment for your brochure. It is excellent and I am writing him personally about it. It was my understanding that you would send me just the high-lights of what I should say in the article, but as far as I am concerned it needs no revision, so I am sending him permission to use it 'as is'. In your letter of November 19th you mentioned your revised Sixth Symphony. If you will send me the score I will be happy to look at it. With cordial greetings to you and your lovely wife, and your new baby, I am Sincerely, Eugene Ormandy". PETER MENNIN (1923-1983) was an American composer and music teacher. He was a teacher at the Peabody Institute and President of at the Juilliard School from 1962 to his death. Renowned as the Conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra for an unprecedented 44 years, EUGENE ORMANDY (1899-1985), born Eugene Ormandy in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, now Hungary, 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 Philadelphia 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 retired as Conductor Emeritus in 1980, five years before his death. Lightly creased. Light tear in top left corner. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.