Leonard Bernstein’s 99th: Conversations With Jamie Bernstein, Alexander Bernstein, And Nina Bernstein-Simmons
By Mike Ragogna - Huffington Post
August 25, 2017
Conversations With Jamie Bernstein, Alexander Bernstein & Nina Bernstein-Simmons
Mike Ragogna: In one year, August 25th, 2018, it would have been your father’s 100th birthday although the celebrations already have begun. For a moment, put aside you family perspective and offer some thoughts on what Leonard Bernstein has contributed to culture.
Jamie Bernstein: Our dad’s prodigious musical gifts sent him in many directions. As a conductor, he shared his deep understanding and passion for the symphonic repertoire with audiences around the world. Through his audio and visual recordings, he left the world an invaluable representation of the canon. As a composer, his range was unprecedented: symphonic works, musical theater, ballet, opera, film scores, and more. And that’s just the music! What makes Leonard Bernstein unique was that in addition to all his musical contributions, he also made such significant contributions as an educator—The Young People’s Concerts on CBS television, the Norton Lectures at Harvard, and more—and also as a lifelong champion of human rights and social justice.