Leonard Bernstein

Be the first to write a review

Overview

Despite international fame and success, Leonard Bernstein (1918-90) was a man constantly struggling with inner conflicts. The best loved and most successful conductor of his generation, he was adored by an international public, but suffered years of hostile criticism from the New York press. He inspired fellow American musicians, being the first native American to direct a major American orchestra, and the first to conquer Europe. His conducting style was famously flamboyant, and he possessed a rate ability to ...
See more details below
Paperback (REV)
$14.95
BN.com price
Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (34) from $1.99   
  • New (15) from $2.99   
  • Used (19) from $1.99   
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

Despite international fame and success, Leonard Bernstein (1918-90) was a man constantly struggling with inner conflicts. The best loved and most successful conductor of his generation, he was adored by an international public, but suffered years of hostile criticism from the New York press. He inspired fellow American musicians, being the first native American to direct a major American orchestra, and the first to conquer Europe. His conducting style was famously flamboyant, and he possessed a rate ability to communicate the music to the listener. But Bernstein often dismissed conducting for its 'temporary' character, and declared himself to be primarily a composer. Among other musicals, he composed the world-famous West Side Story (1957), and the score to the film On the Waterfront, but never enjoyed unanimous critical acclaim for his 'serious' classical works, such as his three symphonies. In later years he feared that he would be remembered solely for his musicals. His private life was equally ambivalent; he was a bisexual who adored his wife and children but who engaged almost constantly in homosexual liaisons. Brilliant, articulate, witty and charming, he could equally be vain, egocentric and demanding, sometimes distressing his loyal supporters with his drunken and wilful behaviour. In spite of these paradoxes, Bernstein is still one of the most important musical figures of the second half of the twentieth century, and a major influence on musical life in Europe and America. This book chronicles his extraordinary rise to fame, and presents a fair but ultimately moving account - from first-hand experience - of Bernstein's triumphs and his disappointments.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780714837017
  • Publisher: Phaidon Press, Incorporated
  • Publication date: 3/26/1998
  • Series: 20th Century Composers Series
  • Edition description: REV
  • Pages: 240
  • Product dimensions: 6.50 (w) x 8.65 (h) x 0.75 (d)

Table of Contents

Introduction 6
Ch. 1 The Early Years 1918-45 11
Ch. 2 The Road to Stardom 1945-57 51
Ch. 3 Years of Glory 1957-69 101
Ch. 4 Frustrations and Successes 1969-79 151
Ch. 5 The Final Decade 1980-90 193
Epilogue 225
Classified List of Works 228
Further Reading 231
Selective Discography 232
Index 234
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)