Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Leonard Bernstein would have been 94 today
August 25, 2012

Posted on 08/25/2012 6:38:13 PM PDT by EveningStar

Leonard Bernstein is described by Wikipedia as "an American composer, conductor, author, music lecturer and pianist."

Today would have been his 94th birthday. He was born August 25, 1918 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He died October 14, 1990 in New York City at the age of 72.

He was one of the greatest of 20th century musicians (see the aforementioned Wikipedia article).

Lenny, as he was known, was also involved in left wing politics. He could be quite the leftist jackass. For example, decades ago, he held a now infamous party for the Black Panthers in his Park Avenue penthouse.

Lenny may have been a fool in the world of politics, but as a musician, he was truly wonderful.


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: classicalmusic; lenny; leonardbernstein
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-52 last
To: hoosiermama; MinuteGal

Marvelous poem..and you’re right- little has changed on the left- although they do tend to screech more today.


41 posted on 08/26/2012 9:28:35 AM PDT by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Repealthe17thAmendment
Today he is de-composing

LOL. Good one.

42 posted on 08/26/2012 9:30:12 AM PDT by Starstruck (It's all Obama's fault)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: EveningStar
Yes, Bernstein was a big lefty (and homosexual as well), but I have to say that I fondly remember the "young people's concerts" he used to give on CBS to introduce kids to classical music. And although his own music isn't my cup of tea, I'm sure it's very good, however wacko his political beliefs.

An interesting bit of evidence on how the Left's line constantly twists and turns is that back in the day Bernstein was the conductor of the Israel Philharmonic. That was back when liberals (and too many conservatives) thought Israel was the Cuba of the Middle East. Wonder if he'd be with the BDS people today or if he'd have dissented from current left/liberal orthodoxy?

43 posted on 08/26/2012 9:32:52 AM PDT by Zionist Conspirator (Ki-hagoy vehamamlakhah 'asher lo'-ya`avdukh yove'du; vehagoyim charov yecheravu!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeDude

I am a student (by avocation) of Fritz Reiner, his story, and his music. Maybe because I was getting into concerted music when he was Music Director in my home town.

I find it slightly ironic that Lenny was one of Fritz’s star conducting pupils when they were at the Curtis Institute, because their conducting styles were almost diametrically opposite.


44 posted on 08/26/2012 11:55:34 AM PDT by Erasmus (Zwischen des Teufels und des tiefen, blauen Meers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: MinuteGal

Nice article and poem, Leni. :)


45 posted on 08/26/2012 1:29:46 PM PDT by EveningStar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Erasmus

Was Fritz more like Karajan? I don’t know anything about him, but I find your comment fascinating.


46 posted on 08/26/2012 1:36:30 PM PDT by ConservativeDude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: EveningStar

Speaking of relevant dates:

Judge Crater officially went missing 62 years ago today. He would be 123 years old if found alive.


47 posted on 08/26/2012 1:36:49 PM PDT by wildbill (You're just jealous because the Voices talk oMnly to me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeDude

I’d put it this way, brefly: Reiner communicated as much with his stony hawklike stare as with his baton.

His friend and mentor Richard Strauss had a similar seemingly economical style, at least in old age.

I never saw Reiner conduct in person, but a colleague I met many years later did. He confirmed the legend that the man had a “postage stamp” movement at the tip of his baton.

However, various videos on Youtube show that this claim was exaggerated.


48 posted on 08/26/2012 3:19:50 PM PDT by Erasmus (Zwischen des Teufels und des tiefen, blauen Meers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Erasmus; ConservativeDude
I find it slightly ironic that Lenny was one of Fritz’s star conducting pupils when they were at the Curtis Institute, because their conducting styles were almost diametrically opposite.

Reiner anecdote (no, not the "telescope" one):

Reiner and his wife were in the audience at a Bernstein-led concert. When Bernstein started his "Leaping Lenny" stuff, Reiner turned to his wife and said, "He did not learn that from me."

49 posted on 08/26/2012 3:28:12 PM PDT by EveningStar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: EveningStar

brilliant!!


50 posted on 08/26/2012 4:09:47 PM PDT by ConservativeDude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: EveningStar

Splendid story. BTW, I haven’t heard the “telescope” tale. I can trade you the “Roger Dettmer” anecdote (IIRC) if you wish.


51 posted on 08/27/2012 8:29:02 AM PDT by Erasmus (Zwischen des Teufels und des tiefen, blauen Meers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Erasmus; All

This anecdote, along with the previous one, may be apocryphal.

Reiner had a small beat that was sometimes difficult to see.

One time, a musician in the orchestra brought out a telescope and looked through it at Reiner’s baton. When Reiner asked him what he was doing, he said he was looking for the beat.

Stories differ as to what happened next.

The most popular version has Reiner firing him on the spot.

Another version says that Reiner pulled out a pen and paper and wrote “You’re fired” on the paper.

Yet another version says that the musician simply didn’t return for the next season.

Still another version says that this was the musician’s final concert and he was retiring after it.

The instrument of the player also differs from version to version.


52 posted on 08/27/2012 11:07:48 AM PDT by EveningStar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-52 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson