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Leonard Bernstein: American Original: How a Modern Renaissance Man Transformed Music and the World During His New York Philharmonic Years, 1943-1976

by Burton Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein: American Original: How a Modern Renaissance Man Transformed Music and the World During His New York Philharmonic Years, 1943-1976 Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

One of the most gifted, celebrated, scrutinized, and criticized musicians in the second half of the twentieth century, Leonard Bernstein made his legendary conducting debut at the New York Philharmonic in 1943, at age 25. 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 natural with the new medium of television, a born teacher, writer, and speaker, as well as a political and social 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.

All of this played out against the backdrop of post-Second World War New York City as it rose to become the cultural capital of the world—the center of wealth, entertainment, communications, and art—and continued through the chaotic and galvanizing movements of the 1960s that led to its precipitous decline by the mid 1970s.

The essays within this book do not simply retell the Bernstein story; instead, Leonard Bernstein's brother, Burton Bernstein, and current 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. The result is a telling portrait of Leonard Bernstein, the musician and the man.

Synopsis:

Published in cooperation with the New York Philharmonic comes this beautifully illustrated volume celebrating the life and career of cultural icon Bernstein. More than 100 b&w photos throughout.

About the Author

Burton Bernstein, staff writer for the New Yorker from 1957 to 1992, is the author of eight books. Like his older brother, he is a Bostonian by birth and upbringing. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he holds a private pilot's license and was an astronaut candidate for the defunct Journalist in Space Project. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Jane, and their dog, Pulcinella.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780061537868
Subtitle:
American Original: How a Modern Renaissance Man Transformed Music and the World During His New York Philharmonic Years, 1943-1976
Author:
Bernstein, Burton
Author:
Haws, Barbara
Author:
by Burton Bernstein and Barbara Haws
Author:
Haws, Barbara B.
Publisher:
Collins
Subject:
Entertainment & Performing Arts - General
Subject:
Genres & Styles - Classical
Subject:
Entertainment & Performing Arts
Subject:
Composers & Musicians - Classical Directors
Subject:
History & Criticism - General
Subject:
Musicians
Subject:
United states
Subject:
Musicians -- United States.
Subject:
Bernstein, Leonard
Publication Date:
September 2008
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
223
Dimensions:
9.80x8.52x.78 in. 1.99 lbs.

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