PRELUDE, FUGUE News for Friends of Leonard Bernstein RIFFS Winter 2001 Leonard Bernstein and his impact on the Vienna Philharmonic Presented October 14, 1999 at the Vienna State Opera by Dr. Clemens Hellsberg en years ago, music lovers worldwide were shaken by a news report from New TYork. On October 14, 1990, at the age of 72, Leonard Bernstein had died. The death of probably the most universa l musician of his time meant for the Vienna Philharmonic (VPO), apart from the human and artistic loss, an important turning point, as the 24 years of continuous work together bad created a striking chapter in the history of our orchestra. This was not onl y true at the moment of his death, but looking back today confirms from an historical viewpoint that the "Bernstein Era" is part of the identity of the Vienna Philharmonic. The first meeting with the VPO came at the Vienna State Opera where the Maestro conducted the world premiere of Luchino Visconti's production of Giuseppe with Bernstein's manager, Harry For our tours, Leonard Bernstein's final Kraut, with whom we are still Bernstein was of very special sig­ Verdi's Falstaff on March 14, 1966, bow in Vienna, a production long since honored friends. We planned the "Bernstein nificance. As an orchestra that with the word "legendary." In Dates," which in cluded series of has no constant artistic leader, March 1990. the subscription concert series concerts, television and record during tours we were used to that followed, Leonard Bernstein productions in Vienna lasting working with conductors who were conducted and performed Mozart's several weeks, after which followed not tied to a certain orchestra. Piano Concerto in B-major, K. 450, extended tours. T hese dates did The ideal musical agreement that and conducted Gustav Mahler's not just take up the entire artistic characterized the collaboration Song of the Earth to end the concert. and organizational capacity of with "Lenny" led to intensive Soon an ideal and immensely our ensemble, but also influenced touring together. Of the total concentrated form of working the musical horizon of the orchestra 197 concerts performed, no less together developed in close contact members in a lasting way. (continued on page 2) In this issue ... LeonardBernstein.com: How does it make you feel? ... page 6 Leonard Bernstein and To Our his impact Readers on the Vienna Philharmonic, continued e suspect that Leonard (continued from page 1) Bernstein might have been W than 91 were abroad, 34 of one of those to point out, some­ which were in the last three years what pedantically, that 2001 is the of his life. Without knowing it, true start of the new millenium. we said goodbye forever to him Just think of the terrific concert in Carnegie Hall, where in March 1990, he conducted the orchestra world famous Archives of the he'd have been likely give on the in works by Anton Bruckner, Society of Friends of Music. One occasion! Gustav Mahler and Jean Sibelius. institution was especially impor­ Well, we didn't get the concert, In September 1988, he took the tant to Bernstein - the "Musical but in his absence, there continue orchestra on its first tour to Israel. Youth," in whose performance That tour was notable for its cycles he appeared 22 times with to be such an array of Bernstein­ symbolic value, conveying through his "favorite orchestra," as he related activities that at this rate, music the message of humanity called the Vienna Philharmonic his influence is likely to take us and reconciliation, a special often and openly. into the next millenium. concern of Leonard Bernstein's. This love was two-sided. The Bernstein and the Vienna Vienna Philharmonic awarded The tenth anniversary of Philharmonic worked together to Leonard Bernstein the Nicolai Bernstein's death gave rise to support organizations devoted to Medal in Gold in 1967, as well as observances all over the world: humanitarian or cultural goals. the "Ring of Honor" in 1978, from Paris to Vienna to Beijing. The proceeds of no less than 49 and made him their honorary performances in Vienna were for member in 1983. The orchestra Boxed sets of Bernstein recordings the benefit of such organizations. was expressing not only its admi­ are generating rave reviews. A We worked for everyone from ration for a great artist, but also U.S. stamp is in the offing for this Austrian farmers to UNICEF, the friendship which developed fall, and very much in keeping from Amnesty International to over the years - a relationship the Jerusalem Foundation, from which stood up to all strains with the new millenium, leonard the elevator for the disabled in without the slightest difficulty. bernstein.com continues to grow the Musikvereinsgebaude to the When Bernstein came to us, this as a pleasing, informative and always meant a period of pas­ gratifyingly navigable website. sionate, consequential and con­ centrated work, offering an As it is also the tenth anniver­ His love for music and abundance of the deepest musical sary of this publication, we decided his love for people gave us impressions and insights. His love it was time for a new look. We for music and his love for people experiences which remain hope you approve, while continuing gave us experiences which remain unforgotten and for which we to enjoy keeping up with news unforgotten ... thank him, especially today on the about Leonard Bernstein. 10th anniversary of his death. • We further suspect that after pointing out that 2001 was the Dr. Clemens Hellsberg is the Pre­ .,, sident of the Vienna Philharmonic. iil true start of the new millenium, i: a. Leonard Bernstein would then go f.D..., C: <O back to work and not give the C: QC>"' subject another thought. ;,:, ~ J.B.T. • ~ ~· !); N 0 0 0 Bernstein in Paris n November 13, Art France­ @ Kim Criswell, OUSA presented a tribute to ~I Perry Laylon Leonard Bernstein to benefit the Nelson Mandela Foundation i\ Ojeda, Joey for Children with AIDS. The McKneely (direc­ Ochestre National de France was conducted by Yutaka Sada, and tor), Judith Pisar was joined by Lauren Bacall, (presenter), Brent Fazil Say, pianist, and a cast of American singers: June Anderson, Barrett, Michael Kim Criswell, Brent Barrett, Slattery, and Perry Layton Ojeda and Michael Slattery. David Ignatius reported Craig Urquhart about the concert in a Washington (Amberson) share Post/ Herald Tribune article, "America's Culture Transcends post-concert fun. the Feebleness of Its Politics," which is excerpted here. PARIS - Much as I'd like to ruminate on the battle of Florida The concert opened with They wouldn't stop clapping. and the breakdown of American Bernstein's score from the movie politics, after this week here in ON THE WATERFRONT, and if Wouldn't let go until they forced the City of Light, I just can't add you closed your eyes and li stened the conductor, Yutaka Sado, to the gloom. to the staccato music, you could . .The week began for me with see the young Marlon Brando to play an encore . a concert Monday night celebrating making his way along the docks. the works of Leonard Bernstein, The first half closed with a 10 years after his death. Now manic piano concerto, called AGE numbers such as New York, New there was a man who understood OF ANXIETY, boldly performed York and haunting ones such as the raw, reckless romance of his by a young Turkish pianist named Maria. They were sung with an native land. A huge silkscreen of Fazil Say. At the intermission, a American gusto that would have Bernstein hung above the stage beaming Turkish ambassador was made Bernstein smile, and when before the concert began, his white accepting congatulations, obviously the chorus finished the finale hair tousled just so, eyes keening proud to be connected to this Somewhere the French just with intelligence, body hunched celebration of American culture. went nuts. over a score, leaning forward as if Then came Bernstein's They wouldn't stop clapping. to hear a furtive melody. Broadway show tunes - rollicking Wouldn't let go until they forced the conductor, Yutaka Sado, to play an encore. Lauren Bacall, who had just co-hosted the evening with Judith Pisar, tried to get them to go home, but the audience wouldn't hear of it. They clapped for nearly half an hour. • © 2000 The Washington Post Reprinted by permission .,, iil i: Conductor C. !1>..., C Yutaka Sado IC ..C and Lauren 11<> "'~ Bacall enjoy "' ~. ::, the audience ~ N 0 reaction. :=: e I Bringing Bernstein to Beijing by the end of the week? the stage of the Poly Theatre. Meanwhile, I was squeezing in They had supertitles? No one meetings with the translators had ever told us! We could have assigned to our various events. translated all the song lyrics we There was one to translate a sem­ were presenting from five differ­ inar on Bernstein at Peking ent Broadway shows! University on Friday afternoon. We all buddied together, took There was another to translate a collective deep breath and my narration for Saturday night's decided: we would translate the concert of Bernstein 's Broadway lyrics. Right there. That day. We music. And there was to be a would have them ready by evening. third translator for Sunday after­ We would have supertitles! noon's performance of THE And so for the next few hours, BERNSTEIN BEAT, the children's half a dozen of us, American and concert M ichael and I developed Chinese, sat in an overheated in homage to my father's Young dressing room and fig ured out People's Concerts with the New ways to translate everything York Philharmonic.