Leonard Bernstein was an immeasurably-positive American Musical 'force' during the 20th Century (also in many ways fulfilling the role of 'musical-ambassador' introducing the works of important American-composers to the rest of the globe) = this superlative documentary written & directed by Susan Lacy subtitled: "Reaching for the Note" presents a solid overview of Leonard Bernstein's Life & numerous achievements, and was included as part of PBS' 'American-Masters' series.
Susan Lacy's documentary does a good job of communicating to the viewer just how significant Leonard Bernstein's achievements were as Conductor, Composer and especially Educator-popularizer of Music, particularly to America of the post-WWII period. Bernstein was the first completely American born and trained Classical-conductor to gain International acclaim & recognition, eventually building deep-professional-ties with the Vienna Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic and of course having a Long-tenure as head of the New York Philharmonic.
Susan Lacy's documentary clearly shows that Leonard Bernstein possessed an uncanny tireless-energy and boundless-enthusiasm for the process of creating Music itself whether in the form of conducting, composing, performing or in any way 'communicating' the joys of simply 'making-music'
Leonard Bernstein of course composed enduring Music for the Broadway Stage ('West Side Story,' 'On the Town' 'Mass') along with a number of serious Classical Works created for the Concert Hall (such as the Symphonies: 'Jeremiah' 'Age of Anxiety' 'Kaddish' and the operatic 'Candide') and even the great 'On the Waterfront' film Score - but with all the immense successes, this documentary also gives the viewer the distinct impression that Bernstein did not ever find complete satisfaction in his body of compositional work - and was still searching throughout his entire Lifetime for that authentically great 'serious' work that could be placed equally alongside those of the immortal masters like Beethoven, Mozart, Mahler, Stravinsky et al.
For those like me who were born after most of Bernstein's immensely-popular prime-time television programs espousing early musical education were originally broadcast (e.g. those highly regarded, award winning 'Young Peoples' Concerts' broadcast mainly from the mid-1950's thru very early-1970s*), this documentary also makes clear how intensely-passionate Leonard Bernstein was about sharing a basic understanding of Music = thus opening the door to the infinite potential joys and wonderment inherent!
note*: I wasn't yet born when most of these 'Young-Peoples' Concerts' were first broadcast (until the very last few - in the early seventies) but have viewed a number of them since by way of DVD compilations the more in-depth 'Unanswered Question' series of DVDs is a fascinating set geared towards college audiences and much beyond.
Susan Lacy's documentary does a good job of communicating to the viewer just how significant Leonard Bernstein's achievements were as Conductor, Composer and especially Educator-popularizer of Music, particularly to America of the post-WWII period. Bernstein was the first completely American born and trained Classical-conductor to gain International acclaim & recognition, eventually building deep-professional-ties with the Vienna Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic and of course having a Long-tenure as head of the New York Philharmonic.
Susan Lacy's documentary clearly shows that Leonard Bernstein possessed an uncanny tireless-energy and boundless-enthusiasm for the process of creating Music itself whether in the form of conducting, composing, performing or in any way 'communicating' the joys of simply 'making-music'
Leonard Bernstein of course composed enduring Music for the Broadway Stage ('West Side Story,' 'On the Town' 'Mass') along with a number of serious Classical Works created for the Concert Hall (such as the Symphonies: 'Jeremiah' 'Age of Anxiety' 'Kaddish' and the operatic 'Candide') and even the great 'On the Waterfront' film Score - but with all the immense successes, this documentary also gives the viewer the distinct impression that Bernstein did not ever find complete satisfaction in his body of compositional work - and was still searching throughout his entire Lifetime for that authentically great 'serious' work that could be placed equally alongside those of the immortal masters like Beethoven, Mozart, Mahler, Stravinsky et al.
For those like me who were born after most of Bernstein's immensely-popular prime-time television programs espousing early musical education were originally broadcast (e.g. those highly regarded, award winning 'Young Peoples' Concerts' broadcast mainly from the mid-1950's thru very early-1970s*), this documentary also makes clear how intensely-passionate Leonard Bernstein was about sharing a basic understanding of Music = thus opening the door to the infinite potential joys and wonderment inherent!
note*: I wasn't yet born when most of these 'Young-Peoples' Concerts' were first broadcast (until the very last few - in the early seventies) but have viewed a number of them since by way of DVD compilations the more in-depth 'Unanswered Question' series of DVDs is a fascinating set geared towards college audiences and much beyond.