Leonard Bernstein's Centennial Celebration Concert at Tanglewood
On August 25, Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday was celebrated in spectacular fashion-on his actual birthday--with a festive dinner, an all-star concert, and an afterparty at Tanglewood. Bernstein was a tremendous force at the summer festival from 1940 to 1990, and he became lifelong friends with Tanglewood's founder, conductor Serge Koussevitsky. This was one of the most substantial tributes to Bernstein in his 100th year. It’s hard to overstate Bernstein’s passion for music, the sheer scope his own compositions, and the influence they have had on American musical life.
Bernstein’s three children-Alex, Nina, and Jamie-were all in attendance, and musicians from six orchestras and festivals that Bernstein was closely associated with joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the extravaganza. “The history runs deep, and so does the emotion. There are so many people here who had a direct experience to our dad and have a strong need to share that with us. Everything he did had this love and open-heartedness. All the energy that he put into the world is now coming back at us like this wave of emotion,” says Jamie Bernstein.
There were appearances by conductors Andris Nelsons, Keith Lockhart, John Williams, Christoph Eschenbach, and Michael Tilson Thomas. Audra McDonald was the host, and the illustrious performers included violinist Midori, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, soprano Nadine Sierra, baritone Thomas Hampson, as well as Broadway artists including Isabel Leonard, Jessica Vosk, Tony Yazbeck.
The first half of the concert was dedicated to Bernstein's works, from the whimsical, joyful overture to Candideto the “Kaddish 2” from his Symphony No. 3 (with Nadine Sierra as soloist), to selections from West Side Story. Later pieces focused on his enduring influence as a conductor and included Thomas Hampson in songs from Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn. The evening’s close featured the finale from Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, a sublime work that Bernstein conducted in a nationally televised performance with the New York Philharmonic in 1963 following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
Bernstein’s distinctive style was recognizable throughout, and there were moments when it was as if he were reaching across time to take part in the celebration. He was a pianist, conductor, composer, educator, and TV personality. His Young People’s Concerts inspired thousands of people from 1958 to 1972. It’s fascinating to note that he never formally studied composition.
Nearly 600 guests attended the gala, and $800,000 was raised toward Tanglewood’s future endeavors. And an estimated 15,000 people attended the concert that beautiful Berkshire evening. The performance was recorded by PBS and will be aired as part of Great Performances on December 28, 2018.
Will Leonard Bernstein ever be matched in the breadth of his musical knowledge, the passion of his commitment to musical education, his daring to incorporate many kinds of music into his compositions? He was a towering presence in the American musical scene, and his eloquent questioning of humanity continues to have deep meaning and relevance today.
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