Running Oct. 15-Nov. 1 in the Walter Reade Theater, "The Joy of Music" is an 11-part film series documenting the late composer's work for the screen from 1954-1993. Introducing the newly restored film and television prints will be New York Philharmonic members Stanley Drucker (principal clarinetist) and archivist/historian Barbara Haws.
"The Joy of Music" is presented as part of the city-wide Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds, celebrating the 90th anniversary of the late Bernstein's birth and the 50th anniversary of his appointment as music director of the New York Philharmonic.
Programming for "The Joy of Music" follows:
"Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic in Moscow – Cultural Ambassador." Bernstein conducts the first movement of Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony ("Leningrad") and excerpts from Copland's "Billy the Kid" in Moscow in 1959. (Oct. 15 at 6:30 PM)
"From West Berlin to Tokyo with the New York Philharmonic – Cultural Ambassador." Bernstein conducting from the keyboard Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1. In 1961 the Philharmonic traveled to Japan for the first time and featured 26-year-old assistant conductor Seiji Ozawa as well as Bernstein conducting the finale of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. (Oct. 15 at 9 PM)"The Gift of Music—An Intimate Portrait." Horant H. Hohlfeld directs the documentary of Bernstein, including rare interview footage as well as excerpts from performances and his famed children's concerts. (Oct. 18 at 2 PM)"The Art of Conducting." Bernstein explains the basic skills of conducting, and then moves beyond to demonstrate how great conductors make music. Bernstein conducts Ravel's Bolero with the Orchestre National de France in Paris in 1975. (Oct. 18 at 4 PM)"Bernstein on Teachers and Teaching." Bernstein discusses the conductors and composers who shaped his musical education, including Fritz Reiner, Aaron Copland and Serge Koussevitzky. Excerpts from Leonard Bernstein in Salzau 1989, featuring a rehearsal and performance of portions of Berlioz's "Romeo and Juliet." (Oct. 22 at 6:30 PM)"The Creative Performer." Igor Stravinsky conducts excerpts from his own Firebird Suite, and Bernstein leads Glenn Gould and the New York Philharmonic in Bach's D-minor Piano Concerto, and soprano Eileen Farrell in the "Suicidio" aria from "La Gioconda." (Oct. 22 at 8 PM)"Bernstein and the World of Jazz." Bernstein discusses improvisation and popular song, and concludes with a performance of his Prelude, Fugue, and Riff. (Oct. 25 at 2 PM)"New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts with Leonard Bernstein." From 1958 to 1972, Bernstein led the New York Philharmonic in 53 nationally televised concerts for children. This screening includes excerpts from some of those landmark performances and a discussion by a panel of very young critics. (Oct. 25 at 4 PM)"On the Waterfront." A screening of Elia Kazan's 1954 classic film, featuring Bernstein's Academy Award-nominated score. Starring Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb and Rod Steiger. (Oct. 29 at 6:30 PM)"Bernstein and Mahler, Part I." Bernstein conducts an excerpt of "Das Lied von der Erde" with mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. It is paired with "The Little Drummer Boy," in which Bernstein highlights his discussion of Mahler's music with performances by Janet Baker, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic and others. (Nov. 1, at 2 PM)"Bernstein and Mahler, Part II." Two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Bernstein, as a national act of mourning, led the New York Philharmonic in a live telecast of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony. Excerpts from the CBS broadcast will be shown along with a complete performance with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1973. Soprano Sheila Armstrong and mezzo-soprano Janet Baker join the ensemble and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus for this concert in England's Ely Cathedral. (Nov. 1 at 4:30 PM) Tickets for "The Joy of Music: Leonard Bernstein on Film” are available by visiting LincolnCenter.
