"I can't upload photos, where is the photo uploading option ?"
 |
The World's Largest Coalition of Nontheists and Nontheist Communities!
Leonard Bernstein and his Young People's Concerts
Of all the American symphonic conductors who ever were, they may be no greater jack-of-all-trades: conductor, composer and teacher (especially that last) than Leonard Bernstein. Certainly, he was the musical director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the composer of classical music and film scores. It is in his role as a teacher that I want to remember Lennie now, though.
I just stumbled onto a number of videos on YouTube of his Young People's Concerts. I've watched several over the past couple of days, and I have to smile as I listen to him, in how he uses his understanding of the history and structure and mystery of music and connects that to his young audience's sensibilities and tastes for popular and rock music to put his ideas across. In that regard, he reminds me very much of Carl Sagan and particularly his famous television series, Cosmos. What Sagan did with Cosmos and what Bernstein did with the Young People's Concerts is very much the same in terms of making a multifaceted and exciting field of study accessible and exciting to those new to it. I note with excitement that Neil deGrasse Tyson is looking to do an updated version of Cosmos, to bring new discoveries in physics and astronomy of the 21st century to add to the groundbreaking work which Sagan did before him.
Who could follow in Bernstein's shoes? I'm not certain I know of any personality in classical music at the moment with the depth of knowledge and engaging demeanor which Leonard Bernstein brought to these concerts, as well as his Harvard Lectures and master classes where teaching walks hand-in-hand with conducting. There have been some efforts and some good ones, such as Michael Tilson Thomas' PBS series, Keeping Score and Gerald McBurney's Beyond the Score, but to me, Lennie and the NYPhil outshine them all.
So let me leave you with an example of what he did over 40 years ago ... then you tell me.
What Is A Mode: Part 1
What Is A Mode: Part 2
What Is A Mode: Part 3
What Is A Mode: Part 4
Please listen. Please enjoy!
Tags: Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Young People's Concerts
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tony Carroll on -
Loren, my friend. How can I say thank you so much for this. I've been very busy this weekend, and just got home and found this. The flood of memories you ignited have touched me deeply. This show came on every Saturday on the PBS station out of Jackson, Ms. We lived in Greenville. I was in my very early teens, like 12-13 yo, and my father would sit with me every time it came on. It was one of "our" shows, along with "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau", and the Geographic specials. Wonderful times with my father. Just one of the many ways he said he loved me without saying the words. Men from his generation, and especially him with his background, just couldn't say that as easily as we do today. But he showed me in so many different ways, and as I got older, especially after I moved out, he gained the words. But these shows were ours, and we grew because of them. You have brought to me sweet memories, of times when I rested in the security of my parents, and all was very right with the world. Again, thank you. Be well, and peace to you and yours.
-
CONNECT WITH ATHEIST NEXUS
Latest Activity
- Top News
- Everything
Dennis Michael Pennington commented on Randall Smith's blog post The Rednecks are coming, the Rednecks are coming"I guess I am redneck. As a child I talked twangy and it seemed to be what those around me were doing. Imagine the worst redneck accent and I had it. I joined the Army and my training instructor asked what part of Georgia I was from. He was…"
Easton Le commented on blue pashmina's blog post Not believing in an afterlife does not mean i am a "sad' person."@Rachel: Realizing I have only one life to live also encourages me to live a happier and fuller life, as well as invest in a future I know I will not be around to appreciate. It seems only logical to me.
@Dennis: I've always wondered what it…"
"Loren, i was thinking about you and your likely response as i was writing this post. i know your rightful indignation with the papacy and share it, albeit probably with slightly less ire.
i must say that i just freaking love your pov.…"
Easton Le commented on Debra Stevenson's blog post Some Wiccans and their seeking approval from Christians"I suppose in regions of the country where Christianity is a major influence in local culture working towards a level of acceptance would be in Wicca's best interest. When I visited a gem shop in the bible belt with one of my friends I learned…"
Loren Miller replied to matthew greenberg's discussion Pope Francis says even Atheists go to Heaven"Hmmm, an outreach to atheists from the pope? I wonder ... is this an attempt at engagement and maybe a dialogue ... or is it an act of desperation from an organization which may finally be recognizing that it is failing at both engagement and…"
Karim R. joined Darrel Ray's group
Recovering from Religion
Unless you were raised by atheist parents, you probably had some recovering to do when you left religion. The purpose of RR is to provide a landing place for people when they jump from religion. With local support groups throughout the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, and real-time resources accessible to everyone, RR is where to turn when faith has lost its luster.See More
Ruth Anthony-Gardner replied to Ruth Anthony-Gardner's discussion Methane, more scary than we thought in the group Eco-Logical: A Group for Environmentalists"In addition to the methane spike over Antarctica there was
Is the permafrost's integrity breaking down?
In sum, the half-life of methane in the atmosphere depends upon available hydroxyl ions to break it down. The oft cited values of methane…"
© 2013 Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: Richard Haynes.
