Leonard Bernstein: American Original

“Interspersed with [a] wealth of well-considered commentary are the smart and affectionate recollections of Burton Bernstein. . . . A flat-out wonderful book.” —Booklist, starred review

One of the most gifted, celebrated, scrutinized, and criticized musicians of the twentieth century, Leonard Bernstein made his legendary conducting debut at the New York Philharmonic in 1943, at age twenty-five. A year later, he became a sensation on Broadway with the premiere of On the Town. Throughout the 1950s, his Broadway fame only grew with Wonderful Town, Candide, and West Side Story. And in 1958, the Philharmonic appointed him the first American Music Director of a major symphony orchestra—a signal historical event. He was adored as a quintessential celebrity but one who could do it all—embracing both popular and classical music, a born teacher, writer, and speaker, as well as a political activist. In 1976, having conducted the Philharmonic for more than one thousand concerts, he took his orchestra on tour to Europe for the last time.

The essays within this book do not simply retell the Bernstein story; instead, Leonard Bernstein's brother, Burton Bernstein, and New York Philharmonic archivist and historian Barbara B. Haws, have brought together a distinguished group of contributors to examine Leonard Bernstein's historic relationship with New York City and its celebrated orchestra. Composer John Adams, American historians Paul Boyer and Jonathan Rosenberg, music historians James Keller and Joseph Horowitz, conductor and radio commentator Bill McGlaughlin, musicologist Carol Oja, and music critics Tim Page and Alan Rich have written incisive essays, which are enhanced by personal reminiscences from Burton Bernstein.

“A visual treasure trove, chock-full of black-and-white photographs.” —School Library Journal

© 2023 HarperCollins e-books (E-bog): 9780062043146

Release date

E-bog: 21. november 2023