| Learn
more about Leonard Bernstein:
The
Official Leonard Bernstein
Web site
West
Side Story
Songwriters'
Hall of Fame
About
this series:
Academy
Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon narrates this 11-part documentary
series illuminating the life and work of 20th century composer
Leonard Bernstein, whose unparalleled body of work includes West
Side Story, On the Town and the comic operetta Candide.
Bernstein was a true American icon for more than just his musical
genius -- he touched millions with his magnanimous personality
and ability to communicate about life and love through music.
The series largely tells the story of Bernstein's life through
excerpts from the more than 17,000 pieces of correspondence held
by the Library of Congress; the letters are voiced by actor Alec
Baldwin, Broadway star Maria Tucci and Bernstein's daughter, Jamie.
Fridays at 10 p.m.
|
 Leonard
Bernstein: An
American Life
Friday,
March 18 at 10 p.m. on 91FM
Final
Episode : A Candle Burned at Both Ends (1979-1990)
View
the full episode guide.
Bernstein continues
his movement toward Europe in the 1980s. His work in this period
includes the opera A Quiet Place, and the film Love
of 3 Orchestras, which documents Bernstein's work with the
Vienna Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic and the Israel
Philharmonic. We examine Bernstein's role in the launching of
the Mahler mania of the last 20 years, as well as his last compositional
work, Concerto for Orchestra. We follow Bernstein to
his heroic Freedom Concert at the fall of the Berlin Wall, to
his last performance at Tanglewood and to the events surrounding
his death in 1990.
Finally,
we look at his legacy. Bernstein's last period sees him racing
against the clock to finish major compositional works that he
hopes will earn him the reputation as a major composer -- the
one attainment he feels has eluded him. While his major compositions
later in life do not bring him this kind of acclaim, Bernstein
remains the most celebrated conductor in the world right up
to his death.
His
final days are colored by his own sense of failure. Only after
his passing does the enormity of Bernstein's effect on 20th
century music become clear.
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