News for Friends of Leonard Bernstein Spring/Summer 2015 A Father Champions His Son he traditional telling OF LEONARD BERNSTEIN THE FAMILY COURTESY of the story has it that Samuel Bernstein actively discouraged his son Leonard Tfrom pursuing music. Sam would have much preferred for his son to inherit the hair and beauty supply business he had so painstakingly built up from nothing, in a fiercely personal manifestation of the striving immigrant’s American Dream. But Leonard Bernstein would not be deterred, and he did indeed become a professional musician. A few months after his famous Carnegie Hall last-minute debut on November 14, 1943, which made him famous overnight, a journalist asked Sam if it was true that he had refused to pay for his son’s piano lessons. Sam famously replied: “Well, how was I supposed to know he’d turn out to be Leonard Bernstein?” A recently discovered letter reveals that in fact, Samuel Bernstein did indeed advocate on behalf of his son. How astonishing to see the trouble Sam went to, with such excruciatingly elegant prose, as he begged his son’s mentor, Serge Koussevitzky, to intervene on behalf of Leonard’s career. It is a most touching and revealing document. (letter on page 2) Samuel and Leonard Bernstein. 3 Artful Learning 5 LB, MLK, and American 10 Some Performances Inside... 4 Bernstein’s Seemingly Diplomacy in Berlin Simple Song 6 In The News ome myths die hard. For three Sept. 15th, 1941 Squarters of a century, Leonard Bernstein’s father Sam has been Dr. Serge Koussevitzky characterized as resolutely opposed Lenox to his son’s musical career. And yet Mass. it turns out, as evidenced in a recently Dear Sir: uncovered letter, Sam was secretly reaching out to his son’s conducting Please forgive this liberty which I am taking in communicating with you but since mentor, Serge Koussevitsky, exhorting the matter is an urgent one, I know you will understand my reasons for writing you him to help young Leonard with at this time. his career. It makes this fabled father-son story much more nuanced My son, Leonard, has just returned home after a few weeks vacation and, not only and interesting. from fatherly instinct but from every outward indication, it is quite obvious that It’s unknown to what degree Sam’s Leonard is unhappy for the reason, as you can probably appreciate, that he is so letter made a difference, but there is preoccupied with the work upon which he centers his every thought ...... MUSIC. no disputing that his son’s larger-than- life success as a musician went beyond Please forgive this humble parent, therefore, in trespassing upon your privacy but any version of the American Dream I must, of necessity, appeal to you for some assistance in Leonard’s behalf. Quite that Sam and his wife Jennie could frankly, Dr. Koussevitzky, Leonard idolizes you; I know what you have come to have possibly imagined when they mean to him and your kind efforts manifested in his behalf is a fair indication of immigrated from western Russia to the mutual feeling which exists between you. these shores. It is with great concern that I am now appealing to you to find some opportunity And all these decades later, the for Leonard so that it will be possible for him to continue with his first Love ..... legacy of Sam’s son is still making an Music, and in the particular field in which he is so greatly interested. I hope and impact on the world. It is all we can pray that you may find some opening [for] him for somewhere in these United do to fit into these pages the reports States where he may continue with his work. The financial aspect does not enter of performances, books, recordings, into my thoughts for my chief concern is to find some haven for Leonard where he revivals, commemorations, educational may continue with his work and know happiness. initiatives and more – and we still have several years to go before the Please forgive me a thousand times for inflicting my problem upon you but I felt Centennial festivities, which will launch it my duty as Leonard’s Father to approach you and knowing you for the type in August 2017, a year in advance of of man you are, I am certain you will understand. May God spare you for many, Bernstein’s 100th birthday, and will many years to come so that you may continue with your accomplishments and continue well into 2019. with the good that you have done in this world and will continue to do and of the At that point, this newsletter may many good deeds you have accomplished, one of importance, yes, one I believe have to take on hard covers – or abandon very necessary for the future well-being of my Son, will be that which you will paper entirely. Leonard Bernstein loved accomplish now in his behalf. books, and we think he would prefer for us to stay on paper. But we’re going to I appreciate more than can be expressed by mere words, your kindness to Leonard need more paper! and for the interest which you manifested in his interests and you would make this J.B. ■ Father, The most grateful of parents, if you would but continue in your efforts. Prelude, Fugue & Riffs Prelude, Leonard’s pride would never have sanctioned my approach to you in this man- ner, I know therefore that you will understand my request that this letter be held in strict confidence. Thank you, Dr. Koussevitzky, and may God bless you! Spring/Summer 2015 Respectfully yours, Samuel J Bernstein 2 From the Artful Learning Blotter ■ ■ Phil Cox, Congratulations for many years the leader of the are in order for two Artful highly successful Academy of Learning Schools: Salvador Magnet Creative Experiences at Danville (IL) School (Napa, CA) and Midway High School, will leave the district to Elementary – School of the Arts by Patrick Bolek become principal of Salt Fork North (Sanford, FL). Both received the Elementary School and District Schools of Distinction award ■ Hillside Elementary School Curriculum Coordinator in of recognition from the Magnet Catlin, IL. He has served as a Schools of America. Principals Pam located in West Des Moines, IA, national Leadership Trainer for six Perkins and Ron Nathan received salutes Principal Dr. Robert Davis national Artful Learning Schools. their awards at the 33rd National for 12 years of devoted service to Conference in Raleigh, NC during the school community through ■ Principal Paul Schullo an April ceremony. the Artful Learning Model. Nearly concludes his tenure at the ever- every school that visited Hillside ■ inventive Hillcrest Community In further good news has subsequently become an Artful School in Bloomington, MN. from Midway Elementary, The Learning School. A brilliant leader Supported by exceptional educators, National Association of Music continually striving for excellence, devoted support staff and design- Merchants (NAMM)’s Support Dr. Davis will be moving to thinking parents, Schullo used the Music Coalition selected Midway as Crossroads Park Elementary School Artful Learning Model to create a one of 120 schools to be honored. beginning June 2015, but will more diverse student population continue his influential role as an and amplify student achievement. Please visit artfullearning.org Artful Learning Leadership Trainer. and click the active links to visit our ■ ■ It was principal Patti Dedication and vision national and international cadre of inspire educators to do their best Artful Learning Schools. Magby’s lifelong hope to lead work. We welcome three principal an arts integration school. Her leaders to the Artful Learning Cadre. Patrick Bolek serves as Summer dream came true when Meadow Session Director, Advancement View Elementary School in Castle DR. JUSTIN HUNTER Consultant and Master Trainer for Rock, CO, chose to use Artful Fairview Elementary School Artful Learning Inc. ■ Learning. This year, Patti won the Bloomington, IN Douglas County School District GRAHAM JONES Administrator of the Year Apple Hillside Elementary School Award. Her leadership skills are West Des Moines, IA a daily master class of profession- alism, candor and empathy. RON NATHAN Midway Elementary – Schools of the Arts Sanford, FL News Flash: Artful Learning Summer Session 2015: July 21-24 Prelude, Fugue & Riffs Prelude, or a second year, Salvador Magnet Note: this conference is not just For more information about Artful FSchool, nestled in California’s for Artful Learning Schools! If you Learning, go to artfullearning.org or beautiful Napa Valley, will host are an educator interested in learn- call (310) 383-6647. ■ leaders and educators convening ing more about Artful Learning, for the Artful Learning Summer please join us in Napa. Enroll online Spring/Summer 2015 Session 2015. Alexander Bernstein at Square Market: https://squareup. will be the special guest speaker. com/market/artful-learning-sum- mer-session-2015. 3 Bernstein’s Seemingly Simple Song by Daron Hagen one who can pick up the guitar can was a lot easier than not.” I was too strum without knowing how to play. young when he said it to me; now hen I was eleven years old, my So begins a supposedly “simple” song I understand that it required a sort Wbrother, who two years earlier that is a textbook example of what of courage for a man of Bernstein’s had turned me on to Jesus Christ a composer can do when he has the sophistication and time to drop in Superstar, played me MASS. He was craft to conceal his craft. that little soft-rock “boom-chick,” in old enough to be worrying about The Celebrant enters on the fifth the B section; to gently touch on the draft; we watched with horrified in G major with the word “sing.” The the jazzy major seventh with a grace fascination as the numbers climbed C-sharp that follows is the Bernstein note on the word “help;” to push under the little black soldier and the signature interval, the one he used to the jazz gesture just a trifle harder on little white soldier just over Walter poison the harmonies and organize the “sting” beneath the final “laude.” Cronkite’s shoulder.