Description
Book SynopsisFrom his dazzling conducting debut in 1943 until his death in 1990, Leonard Bernstein's star blazed brilliantly. This biography examines Bernstein's career against the backdrop of cold war America - blacklisting by the State Department in 1950 and voluntary exile from the New York Philharmonic in 1951 for fear that he might be blacklisted.
Trade Review"Almost two decades after Bernstein's death, this is the first in-depth look at the man with his politics. It was worth the wait." -- Carol Iaciofano Boston Globe Book Section "The book's greatest value ... lies not simply in shedding new and more nuanced light on the story of 'Our Lenny', but in its consistent demonstration-in accordance with Bernstein's own ideas-that any attempt to separate the musical sphere from the moral and political comes at an unconscionably high price." The Economist "A rich, thoroughly researched and immensely readable study." -- Stephen Brown Times Literary Supplement (TLS) "A major contribution." -- William R. Braun Opera News "A useful, revealing, and genuinely fascinating discussion of Leonard Bernstein's role in the melee of 20th-century American Politics." -- Eric A. Gordon Jewish Currents: A Progressive Monthly "[Bernstein's] legacy is one of struggle and engagement that will serve as an example for others who are sure to follow him. Seldes' work is a valuable contribution to understanding that legacy." -- Fred Mazelis World Socialist Web Site "In this insightful and creative study, Barry Seldes, a political scientist with a deep understanding of musicology, grapples with this powerful public artist by examining the lifelong interactions of his art with his politics." -- Michael Fellman Vancouver Sun "Compelling... Immaculately researched and extensively annotated... This is a really important book." Musical Opinion "A remarkable new book." -- Raphael Mostel Forward "The most enlightening portrait yet of the often romanticised American conductor and composer." -- Philip Clark The Wire "Seldes is insightful." -- Eric A. Gordon Today in History
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Young American: Bernstein at Harvard 2. The Forties: Ascent and Blacklist 3. American Biedermeier 4. The Long Sixties 5. Norton Lectures 6. Bernstein at Sea 7. Understanding Bernstein Epilogue: A Man in Dark Times Notes Index
