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Burton Bernstein
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Leonard Bernstein: American Original Hardcover – August 19, 2008

by Burton Bernstein (Author), Barbara Haws (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 32 ratings
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One of the most gifted, celebrated, scrutinized, and criticized musicians in the second half of the twentieth century, Leonard Bernstein made his legendary conducting debut at the New York Philharmonic in 1943, at age 25. A year later, he became a sensation on Broadway with the premiere of On the Town. Throughout the 1950s, his Broadway fame only grew with Wonderful Town, Candide, and West Side Story. And in 1958, the Philharmonic appointed him the first American Music Director of a major symphony orchestra—a signal historical event. He was adored as a quintessential celebrity but one who could do it all—embracing both popular and classical music, a natural with the new medium of television, a born teacher, writer, and speaker, as well as a political and social activist. In 1976, having conducted the Philharmonic for more than one thousand concerts, he took his orchestra on tour to Europe for the last time.

All of this played out against the backdrop of post-Second World War New York City as it rose to become the cultural capital of the world—the center of wealth, entertainment, communications, and art—and continued through the chaotic and galvanizing movements of the 1960s that led to its precipitous decline by the mid 1970s.

The essays within this book do not simply retell the Bernstein story; instead, Leonard Bernstein's brother, Burton Bernstein, and current New York Philharmonic archivist and historian, Barbara B. Haws, have brought together a distinguished group of contributors to examine Leonard Bernstein's historic relationship with New York City and its celebrated orchestra. Composer John Adams, American historians Paul Boyer and Jonathan Rosenberg, music historians James Keller and Joseph Horowitz, conductor and radio commentator Bill McGlaughlin, musicologist Carol Oja, and music critics Tim Page and Alan Rich have written incisive essays, which are enhanced by personal reminiscences from Burton Bernstein. The result is a telling portrait of Leonard Bernstein, the musician and the man.

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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harper
  4. Publication date
    August 19, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.77 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0061537861
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0061537868
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School—The current student generation has never witnessed Leonard Bernstein's creative genius and masterful interpretations firsthand, but this tribute could stir many to seek out CDs, DVDs, and the Internet to hear and watch a master in action. As the title indicates, this is not a comprehensive biography; it focuses on Bernstein's Philharmonic years, his most productive. An introduction by Haws and a foreword by Burton Bernstein are followed by a succession of chapters, each written by a different author. These essayists, ranging from a music critic to an American historian, both reveal and explore a plethora of topics, including life in New York City during these years, Bernstein's music, his use of the relatively new medium of television to entertain and instruct, and his social activism. "A Brother's Recollection" follows, and it is this fusion of the professional and personal that makes this work stand out among other Bernstein biographies. It is also a visual treasure trove, chock-full of black-and-white photographs testifying to Bernstein's intensity, his devotion to his work, his joie de vivre, and his belief that the universality of music could make the world a better place. Those already familiar with Bernstein may discover an unknown aspect of his career or personality in this work. Others will be introduced to an innovative change agent, an indefatigable music advocate, and a true American Master, all personified in this "modern Renaissance man."—Dori DeSpain, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Had it with biographies that dish and dis their subjects? Then this is definitely your book. Alright, it isn’t a full life story, neither a birth-to-death record nor a portrait of the “whole person.” It’s a set of articles on Bernstein’s achievements from 1943, when he last-minute-substitute-conducted the New York Philharmonic in a national broadcast, to 1976, the nation’s bicentenary and New York’s darkest hour when the Ford administration declined to rescue it from bankruptcy. Each piece is by an author who knows well whereof he writes and openly admires, even adores, Bernstein. Broadcaster-conductor Bill McLaughlin discusses Bernstein as conductor, with the maestro’s performance scores and DVDs before him. Music historian Carol J. Oja incisively surveys Bernstein’s Broadway shows. Composer John Adams tells what Bernstein has meant to him, from his boyhood hearing of Bernstein’s famous, nationally televised young people’s concerts to learning from Bernstein what it was to be an American composer. Others treat Bernstein as humanitarian and social activist, as music educator, as touring cultural diplomat, and as director of a great orchestra. Music lovers may award best-of-show to James Keller’s piece on Bernstein as interpreter and champion of Mahler. Interspersed with this wealth of well-considered commentary are the smart and affectionate recollections of Burton Bernstein, concluding with his eulogy for “my brother, Lenny.” All this, and scads of pictures, too! A flat-out wonderful book. --Ray Olson

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper; 1st edition (August 19, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0061537861
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061537868
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.01 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.77 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 32 ratings

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Burton Bernstein

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
32 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ca. Granny
5.0 out of 5 stars gift for my son
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2023
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perfect condition,looks brand new,arrived as stated
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Oscar Levant
4.0 out of 5 stars For Those Who Can't Get Enough of Bernstein....
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2008
Although this book was originally scheduled for publication on 8-22, I received mine today, 8-19, a testament to Amazon.com's speedy delivery service. It's difficult to categorize this volume, falling somewhere between a coffee table picture book and a personal photo album. Bernstein's brother apparently came up with the idea, this in his brother's 90th year. There are articles and remembrances from mostly his years with the NYP, written by Alan Rich, Paul Boyer and others with Burton Bernstein commenting on each. There is a good amount of new black and white photos strewn among the 207 pages with lots of newspaper reproductions, sidebars and fancy graphics that I found a bit distracting and, again, make me want to put it on a coffee table rather than store more formally on a book shelf. But for those of us who cannot get enough of Bernstein and continue to re-read Humphrey Burton's masterful biography, this is a nice adjunct. It makes us miss him all over again.
22 people found this helpful
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Nick Rogers
5.0 out of 5 stars Bernstein from a Variety of Perspectives
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2021
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This visually stunning book is a fascinating biography of Leonard Bernstein from the view of those who were close to him as well as those who were only professional acquaintances. No, it is not a book where L.B. writes about his love of music (we have many of those treasures!), it is, in a way, more intimate because so many writers in this book share not only their personal thoughts on L.B. but the world that surrounded him and in which he shined. It is an outstanding resource for people who aren't familiar with L.B., especially younger generations. I applaud his brother, Burton, for constructing such a beautiful and sincere tribute to his brother. I hope this book inspires others the way that inspired me!
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Dave Arnold
3.0 out of 5 stars Dust jacket is great...
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2017
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Even though it's all about the man, there isn't enough Leonard Bernstein in this book for this reader. He is talked about of course, but after reading 1/2 the book, I feel I'm on an information treadmill. People opine, praise, analyze yet I feel distance from the man still.
Cover is very inviting; inside there are some great photographs. Brother Burton's recollections are placed in the middle of other's essays which provides some annoying extra page turning moments.
5 people found this helpful
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Music&Mayhem
5.0 out of 5 stars A great biography with text and photos
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2013
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Unlike the large and lengthy biographies of Leonard Bernstein, this offers a fresh new approach, with several different authors giving their impressions of "Lenny" at various times of his career. The photographs are many and wonderful, adding little known snippits of Bernstein's life and career.
3 people found this helpful
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Henry Koperski
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the way this book was set up
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2015
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Such an inspirational man! Loved the way this book was set up, in telling both the story of Leonard Bernstein, but also the city of New York throughout his life
3 people found this helpful
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Anna Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Complete and concise
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2014
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This autobiography answered my questions about LB. It was clearly
written with interesting details without sounding like gossip. Enough
information both on LB.s musical development and concerns and
on his life
3 people found this helpful
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Pitchfixer
5.0 out of 5 stars Intimate Portrait
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2014
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This bio has essays by Bernstein's brother and other comtporsries who were in the arts. They paint a vivid and intimate portrait of the composer/conductor/pianist/family member.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

William Ian Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars Are you a Bernstein groupie like me, want to know more about all of the cultural mosacis of the Bernstein legacy-read this book!
Reviewed in Canada on July 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
As you'll soon read in future reviews...I am crazy for Bernstein! Being an alumni of BUTI Young Artist Vocal Program, Class of 1981...I had the wonderful opportunity at Tanglewood to meet "Lenny" and then have a 20 minute conversation with him about "choral music". Lately, I just can't get enough of his prose, his thoughts, his Harvard lectures (on Youtube) and now this book...partly written by Burton Bernstein, Lenny's brother! Well, I purchased the HC version of this book (couldn't have any less than HC in my music library) and have been reading this book via Kindle. I can't put this book down...I'm just up to the 1960's and the cultural revolution that took place in New York when all of these great musicians and artists' came and invaded the new "Lincoln Center". This is such a fabulous book that details the different eras of Lenny's reign combined with insights from his brother Burton...that give a balanced perspective from "the family side of the things and cultural events". Highly recommend this book!
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Willliam, Oxford
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, balanced overview.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2014
Verified Purchase
Although the author is given as Bernstein's brother, much of the contents is provided by contributors who were not personally close to Bernstein and so who provide an objective counter to family reminiscence. While wide-ranging, the book is published by the New York Phil., so tends to focus (possibly too much) on Bernstein's years as director.

The volume is beautifully presented, with a range of typefaces and numerous pictures. Highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
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