Bad Times
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990): 4/5. Bad Times. Donald Macleod examines a turbulent period in Bernstein's life, when his seemingly idyllic existence was threatened.
Bernstein's seemingly perfect life as a loving husband and father, an exceptional musical talent and an electric personality are in jeopardy in this fourth programme. Donald Macleod maps a category of bad events in Bernstein's life. He blamed his wife Felicia for his Broadway flop 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; she'd apparently encouraged him to work with its librettist. But Bernstein's affair with his assistant Thomas Cothran, for whom he momentarily left his wife, was a harsher blow. Bernstein's relationship with Cothran resulted in their collaboration on 'Songfest - A Cycle of American Poems', played here in its entirety.
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Leonard Bernstein
Take care of this house (1600 Pennsylvania Avenue)
Performer: Frederica von Stade (Mezzo soprano), National Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein (conductor)
- CBS MASTERWORKS MK44760.
- 21.
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Leonard Bernstein
Songfest for 6 voices and orchestra
Performer: Clamma Dale (soprano), Rosalind Elias (mezzo soprano), Nancy Williams (mezzo soprano), Neil Rosenshein (tenor), John Reardon (baritone), Donald Gramm (bass), Washington DC National Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein (conductor)
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 415 965-2.
- 1.
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Leonard Bernstein
3 Meditations for cello and orchestra
Performer: Mstislav Rostropovich (cello), Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein (conductor)
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 431 028-2.
- 6.
Broadcasts
- Thu 13 Mar 200812:00BBC Radio 3
- Thu 13 Mar 200820:45BBC Radio 3
- Thu 9 Sep 201012:00BBC Radio 3
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