Stuart Lutz Historic Documents, Inc. Archives

George Gershwin Endorses Simon Bucharoff’s The Modern Pianist’s Text Book In 1931 Letter

GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898-1937). Gershwin was an American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned popular, jazz, and classical genres. TLS. 1 pg. 8" x 10". March 31, 1931. New York. A typed letter signed "George Gershwin" to "Mr. Simon Bucharoff": "I've been looking through your book called A [sic] MODERN PIANIST'S TEXT BOOK and fine that it is practically complete, from a pianist's standpoint. If I were to go on tour playing the piano, I feel that your book would be the only one necessary to take along, so far as developing and keeping up the technique is concerned. I will be happy to recommend your book wherever possible. Good luck to you". Simon Bucharoff (1881-1955) was a Russian-American pianist, composer, and educator who lectured and taught on the piano and musical composition. His textbook on the piano was published in 1931, and Gershwin's endorsement surely would have been used for marketing and commercial purposes. The same year this letter was sent, Gershwin's Of Thee I Sing became the first musical comedy to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The letter is paired with a black-and-white image of Gershwin. Both are mounted on white in a black wooden frame. All are in fine condition, though the letter has some folds, and the signature is somewhat light.