Not Lenny to You

As assistant director of publications for the music publishing firm of G. Schirmer in New York City from 1960 through 1963, I had occasion to personally work with Leonard Bernstein. I can categorically state to Avik Gilboa (Letters, Jan. 17) that Bernstein did not like to be called “Lenny” and only tolerated it from some of his older associates and peers such as Aaron Copland.

I can distinctly remember during one rehearsal Bernstein had with the New York Philharmonic where he blew up and immediately chastised one of the players who had called him Lenny, demanding a little more respect and to be referred to only as either Leonard, or Maestro.

PHILLIP LAMBRO

Los Angeles