A Lincoln Portrait
From the New York Philharmonic Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives
Dear Andre – How exciting to do Portrait with you! I hope it can happen again. 
With profoundest thanks – after a thrilling radio premiere and my first hearing – Aug 16, 1942 
To join you, with Copland’s music by the Israeli Phil. Orchestra – was a real honour. Amikam Gurevitch,Tel Aviv, June 1976 
There are so few great moments – this is one. 
For André – again – after 25 years – with ‘profoundest thanks’! 
Andre – we are now old troupers coast to coast. May the road to hell grow green waiting for you. Carl – 1959 – San Francisco 
Andre – here we go again – Ever yours, Carl. 1958 
Andre – here now it is 1960 and I have seen Moscow. And as for you, my further depths of affection are deeper. Carl 
Andre – you are good for the country and the human race in general. 1963, Carl 
Andre K, this in fellowship. - Carl Sandburg, 1942, 1956 
Andre, with profound admiration and gratitude from his pupil. John Lindsay 1967 
To Andre on the occasion of our first performance together. Many, many thanks. Marian Anderson, 1969 
Dear Andre, For providing me a rare thrill, indeed! Walter Cronkite, October 16, 1975 
Andre – The New York experience, my debut with you, I thought how incomparable – but I believe this evening in this incredible environment even topped that! Thank you. Walter Cronkite May 19, 1976. 
The Lincoln Portrait was one of the most powerful experiences of my life – WOW!! Joe Torre, 5/19/15, 50th Anniversary of the Concerts in the Parks. Click on a signature or text for a closer look
About this Score
During World War II, the conductor Andre Kostelanetz commissioned Aaron Copland to compose a musical portrait of a great American figure. He created A Lincoln Portrait, a dramatic work for orchestra and narrator, and used President Abraham Lincoln’s own words from letters and speeches to supply the text.
At subsequent performances, Kostelanetz asked the narrators to autograph his score. On the facing page is Copland’s own type-written description of his work.
In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s death, the New York Philharmonic presents the score used by Andre Kostelanetz signed by the many narrators with whom he shared the stage.
Click on the autographs to read each narrator’s dedication and listen to an excerpt from his or her performance.
Listen to an excerpt of the narration by:
- Aaron Copland
- Marian Anderson
- Walter Cronkite
- Carl Sandburg
- Henry Fonda
- William Warfield
- John Lindsay
- E. G. Marshall
- Joe Torre
View entire score in the Digital Archives
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New York Philharmonic. All rights reserved.
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