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Leonard Bernstein:
An American Life Links:
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Leonard Bernstein: An American Life,
is a groundbreaking 11-part documentary series illuminating the
life and work of musical titan Leonard Bernstein, Thursdays
at 9pm from October 7 – December 16 on 90.3 WCPN ideastream.
Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon narrates the series
of 60-minute programs.
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was the last classical musician of
our time to become a household name; no one since has achieved that
level of fame with the general public. Bernstein became an American
icon not only because of his ability to conduct and compose but
also because of his powerful personality and passion to communicate,
through music, about life, love and the human condition. Youngsters
(and adults) in the 1960s and beyond were the beneficiaries of Bernstein’s
intense music making and insightful commentary on his “Young
People's Concerts.”
Leonard
Bernstein: An American Life is, says producer Steve
Rowland, “a profound and multi-layered story with many fascinating
twists: the number and variety of people, places, ideas and artistic
issues that Bernstein worked with, came into contact with, and ultimately
affected is stunning. And on top of his extraordinary talents in
music – as a composer, conductor, performer and educator –
there was still more. He occupied a place in American culture as
a voice of conscience, a voice for peace, a supporter of democracy
in its broadest vision, and a force working to bring the world together
through music and art.”
Virtually every aspect of Bernstein’s life and career is explored
through the words of his own correspondence and through interviews
with more than one-hundred people who knew and worked with him.
These luminaries include John Adams, Marin Alsop, Betty Comden,
John Corigliano, Adolph Green, Bobby McFerrin, Hal Prince, Mary
Rodgers, Mstislav Rostropovich, Stephen Sondheim, among others.
In addition, Bernstein’s brother Burton, son Alexander and
daughters Nina and Jamie are featured in thought-provoking interviews
and readings.
This
broadcast of this program on 90.3 WCPN is made possible by The
Cleveland Orchestra.
Click
here for program descriptions.
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