As a composer, conductor, pianist, and teacher, Leonard Bernstein managed to fit four lives into one. A nine-time Emmy winner, he composed both serious and popular music, including the well-known Broadway and movie hits, "West Side Story" and "On the Town." He also nurtured a new generation of musicians and guided countless children and adults in their discovery of the joy of music. In exploring Bernstein's pride in his heritage, award-winning author Johanna Hurwitz describes how he conducted the Israeli Philharmonic within the sound of exploding artillery shells. Capturing the excitement of Bernstein's life, Hurwitz shares with young readers the passion for music that is Bernstein's great legacy to the world.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-8-An interesting and readable biography of the man who, for many, popularized classical music and introduced Wagner, Beethoven, and Bach to a generation of young people. The controversies surrounding Bernstein's later life are not included, and the scarcity of information offered about his personal life as an adult is disappointing. Nevertheless, Hurwitz has drawn an enthusiastic portrait of a brilliant, energetic man whose enormous talent helped him overcome his humble beginnings and other obstacles. Even though it will not provide deep insights into Bernstein's complex character, the book offers an inside look at the world of classical music and at the remarkable contributions of this "genius boy."-Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 4-8. When Leonard Bernstein died, a fellow composer wondered whether he had died too young but concluded that since Bernstein actually had led four lives at once, he was not 72, but 288 years old at his death. Hurwitz acquaints readers with all four of Bernstein's lives (conductor, composer, pianist, teacher) and more as she surveys his energetic, musically charged life. She notes how good fortune played a pivotal role in Bernstein's fate--he inherited a piano, his first instrument, from his aunt when he was 10; mere months after assuming the position of assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic, he gained public notice when he was called to take the baton for the guest conductor who was ill. However, Hurwitz makes it clear that Bernstein's determination and talent propelled his career. His Jewish heritage also is shown to have inspired many of his compositions and to have been a powerful motivating factor throughout his life. Lisker's black-and-white drawings dramatically complement Hurwitz's readable, informative biography. Ellen Mandel
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational!,
This review is from: Leonard Bernstein: A Passion for Music (Hardcover)
This is a biography of Lenny Bernstein, in the genre of non-fiction. From when he was a little child, he loved music. The book tells you about him growing up as a music teacher, a piano player, a composer and a conductor of symphony orchestras.I enjoyed reading about Lenny because there were a lot of things that were hard for him in his life and that he overcame. For example, school - he never had time to do his homework because he took music classes after school. His father hated music because the only music players he knew played at bar mitzvahs and birthday parties, and they only got paid with their meal. They were very, very poor, and he wanted better for his son. But Lenny played music and took classes against his father's wishes. He got through all the problems and grew up to be what he wanted to be. Yes, I would recommend this book to a friend if you like music. Even if you don't like music, but you are really passionate about something and want to do it all the time, I recommend you read this because it shows that if you love something and you don't stop trying to get it right, you can do the thing that you love all your life. I learned that a conductor leads an orchestra and a composer writes the music. I'd like to read the books that Leonard wrote and listen to some of his music. Reviewed by Stuart
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