Did they send one to John Williams, too ?

[bloke]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Mancini

[ronr]

Ah yes, signed by the noted composer A. Walter Kramer…

[Jperry1466]

Showing my ignorance here, but I never heard of A. Walter Kramer.

[bloke]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Walter_Kramer

If this is he (??), looks to possibly be one of those typical types who is jealous of those with talent.

[York-aholic]

2nd paragraph “is in no vice a reflection…”

Shouldn’t that be ‘is in no way a reflection’?

[UncleBeer]

2nd paragraph “is in no vice a reflection…”

Shouldn’t that be ‘is in no way a reflection’?

"In no wise" is simply an obsolete phrase. https://www.etymonline.com/word/no-wise

[The Brute Squad]

Showing my ignorance here, but I never heard of A. Walter Kramer.

And that pretty much proves the point. (I had never heard of him either)

[hrender]

According to Wikipedia, Mancini was a staff composer at Universal-International until 1958. My guess is that in 1957 ASCAP wasn't sure how much folks who worked in a pool like that did individually or as a group. Either way, Mancini and ASCAP mended their differences, viz. https://www.ascapfoundation.org/program ... fellowship

[windshieldbug]

I have each one of my AFM rejection letters framed.

[UncleBeer]

I have each one of my AFM rejection letters framed.

There used to be a bi-law in local 802 (NYC) rules that prospective members had to *audition* for membership. No fooling. I'm not aware that anyone ever had to do this though.

[arpthark]

I have each one of my AFM rejection letters framed.

Guess they don't let just anyone in these days, eh? Or "those days," as it were.

[Paulver]

Side light to the discussion......... John Williams eventually became the pianist of choice for Henry Mancini.

Williams came to Pittsburgh PA for a concert series where he conducted some of his works with the Pittsburgh Symphony. During the performance, he made note of Mancini being from "just down the road a little" in Aliquippa, PA. He mentioned that he was Mancini's pianist for quite some time.
Aliquippa is not far from where I live.

Years ago, Mancini and his biographer went back to his high school for some research on a book, and they went to the band room looking for the band director. They found her. She was my fiance, and now, my wife! She's in the book, but of course ...... they got her name wrong!!!! The previous director is also friend of mine, and every time "Hank" would fly back to the Pittsburgh area, he would call my friend Ron to pick him up and drive him to his parents' or a relative's house.

If you listen carefully to some of Williams' work, you can hear some of the Mancini influence in it.

Okay..... we now return control of your computer screen to you. Carry on!!!

[bloke]

I played in an orchestra under Mancini's baton (playing all of his most popular movie compositions) once.

It was a fantastic concert. He had me blasting out "low F" whole notes (or perhaps they were dotted halves...??) on "Peter Gunn".

I had brought my (owned at the time) 184, using it to its "full characteristic advantage", and he was grinning from ear-to-ear.

On the same piece (this was PRE-Letterman Show) a young Will Lee played a fantastic several-minutes-long bass solo.

I'm thinking that Mr. Mancini had only brought a sax, a trumpet, and Will. All the rest of us were local (including the local jazz pianist, who - needless to say - was thrilled to be playing that gig). The sax man did a great job on Pink Panther, but I was (only slightly) disappointed that we played it at the "typical" performance tempo - which is always (imo) too fast, and faster than in the movie soundtrack.

I'm thinking this had to have been shortly after I walked away from that teaching job at KU (just leaving way too much money on the table back home, and losing out on way too many really great gigs)...so (probably) 1979 or 1980.

[bort2.0]

Showing my ignorance here, but I never heard of A. Walter Kramer.

I looked him up...

... Mostly known for being a music critic.

"No kidding!?"

[Ace]

Ever notice that stuffy bureaucrats often use an initial for their first name?
For example, H. Walter Snodgrass. Would any of you do that?

Ace

[bloke]

Ever notice that stuffy bureaucrats often use an initial for their first name?
For example, H. Walter Snodgrass. Would any of you do that?

Ace

exactly...you know?
- b. The Tubaguy

[ronr]

Showing my ignorance here, but I never heard of A. Walter Kramer.

And that pretty much proves the point. (I had never heard of him either)

This