COPLAND, AARON. (1900-1990). American pianist and composer of such 20th-century masterpieces as the ballets Billy the Kid, Rodeo and Appalachian Spring. ALS. (“Aaron”). 1p. 4to. Mexico City, September 16, 1953. Written on Hotel De Cortes stationery to “Arnold,” (L. ARNOLD WEISSBERGER, 1907-1981, American attorney for many celebrity artists and performers).

“The Columbia University Press memorandum was sent to me here. I’ve read it and it seems like a good looking agreement. Let’s try to implement it, shall we?

The matter of radio & television rights is not discussed. I am still hoping that you can have the BMI contract amended to cover the period Nov ’52 to Nov ’53, with a yearly option for us to review. In view of the fact that all the composers involved are ASCAP members an eventual switch in allegiance seems inevitable.

I shall be home on the 21st. Having a lovely time down here conducting orchestras, and visiting pyramids...”

Trained in Paris, Copland was the first American to study with noted French composer, Nadia Boulanger, and was also strongly influenced by the Russian-born American composer Igor Stravinsky. However, Copland’s compositions are distinctly American in theme and flavor and it is for this that he is revered.

Our letter regards contracts and performance rights organizations BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) and ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and is written from Mexico, which Copland first visited during the Great Depression. Enjoying a friendship with Mexican composer Carlos Chavez, he returned there many times for vacations and conducting engagements. His 1936 El Salón México is among his most popular works.

Folded with two file holes in the left margin. Ink date stamp in the upper right corner. An unknown hand has written Copland’s name in pencil in the upper margin. In very good condition.