Inscape. Full Score

London, Paris, Bonn, Johannesburg, Sydney, Toronto, New York: Boosey & Hawkes {PN B. & H. 19722], 1968. Folio. Original publisher's light mustard yellow wrappers printed in dark brown. 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (recto orchestration and notes, verso blank), 47, [i] (blank) pp. With original price label to blank upper outer corner of upper wrapper ("15.00") and publisher's catalogue to verso of lower wrapper listing Copland's including operas and ballets and orchestral, instrumental, vocal, choral, and band works. Preserved in a custom-made dark reddish brown leather clamshell box with dark brown cloth boards, raised bands on spine with (truncated) titling gilt.

With an autograph inscription to noted collector and author Stuart Wright to title signed in full by Copland and dated 1977 and an additional inscription by highly distinguished composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein: "My last Copland première! Leonard Bernstein."

Very slightly worn and soiled. In very good condition overall. First Edition.

Composed in 1967, Inscape was commissioned by and dedicated to the New York Philharmonic in celebration of its 125th anniversary. The piece, Copland's fourth "and essentially last" work employing the 12-tone technique, was first performed by the orchestra under Bernstein's direction at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on 13 September 1967 during its pre-season tour.

"The title Inscape derived from the writings of Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889), the Victorian poet-priest ... Copland had long admired Hopkins, an enthusiasm possible explained by his friendship with Britten, who was working on some Hopkins settings when he and Copland spent the summer together in 1939. ... Hopkins coined the word inscape to describe the essential qualities of things, which he contrasted with instress, meaning one's perceptions of things. ... Copland thought music particularly well matched to such ideas, in that the composer uses sounds as an "instress" that communicates a deeper inner essence, an "inscape." Pollack: Aaron Copland, pp. 505-506.

"One of his country’s most enduringly successful composers, Copland created a distinctively American style and aesthetic in works of varying difficulty for a diversity of genres and mediums, including ballet, opera and film. Also active as a critic, mentor, advocate and concert organizer, he played a decisive role in the growth of serious music in the Americas in the 20th century." Howard Pollack in Grove Music Online

An outstanding association item linking two towering figures of 20th century American music. (Inventory #: 40414)