Program Notes

Old Acquaintance is a sophisticated story of the rivalry and on-again, off-again friendship between two writers (Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins), and it is as contemporary today as it was when Vincent Sherman directed the screen version of John van Druten’s play for Warner Brothers in 1943. The music presented here was originally called “Kit & Preston,” and underscored a scene between the two (played by Bette Davis and John Loder). Preston is the husband of Kit’s best friend, Millie (Miriam Hopkins), and has become alienated by his wife’s selfishness and spiteful ways. He declares his love to Kit, who rejects him out of loyalty to her old friend.

Waxman later re titled this music Elegy for Strings and Harp(s) in memory of Leo B. Forbstein, head of the Warner Brothers music department. The composer conducted the premiere at the Hollywood Bowl in 1948.