![]() "When he enters a room, the temperature changes" - this description of him proves that even two-dimensional, inanimate images can have a lifelike and almost palpable presence. His best photos reflect his legendary personal charisma, his personal warmth, and that elusive quality impossible to truly define, difficult to explain, hopeless to imitate, but very easy to recognize. Some of his photos illuminate rather than decorate, and show not the shadow but the substance of the subject - they seem to pierce the armor and offer a glimpse into the sanctum of Leonard Bernstein's complex character and multiplicity of personality. Like Brahms before him, Bernstein was among the most photographed musicians of his day and was arguably the most photogenic among his contemporaries. Bernstein and Liszt share numerous professional traits (as composer, conductor, pianist, and educator - with several books to Bernstein's credit as an author), and it is as inevitable as tomorrow morning that Bernstein, through his work, will ultimately reach the same destination in musical history as did Liszt through his. Both men are figures of gargantuan musical importance, and by reason of their versatility they excelled in virtually any musical undertaking, with usually superlative results. I see Leonard Bernstein's position in the history of music as being in several ways comparable to that of Franz Liszt. Great works are produced by human beings - would it not be logical to conclude that extraordinary work would be the creation of an extraordinary person? To the cynics, I pose these questions: Was Leonard Bernstein not an awesome musician? Did he not have awesome capabilities? Was he not an awesome human being? Did he not accomplish the most awesome musical tasks? And did he not conduct the most awesome performances? - Isn't it therefore entirely reasonable to suggest that such a view of Bernstein is not only valid, but warranted? I stood in awe of him simply because he was, in a word, awesome. (Why, then, does Beethoven's signature on a prosaic receipt bring a small fortune at auction?). The sceptics' view that "only the work matters" is commonly accepted but it's also untrue. It's astonishing how genuine enthusiasm can be met with such scorn in these times, just as quality is often bypassed for mediocrity. I, for one, openly do so without reservation. To say so is often trivialized in our day because it's "unfashionable" to admit even to feeling this way at all, about anyone or anything. I freely acknowledge that I was in awe of him then. In those days I sometimes felt Leonard Bernstein was so far above me that the only things we had in common were human form and a passion for music. The best way I could so describe him - in the "nut-shell" manner she had in mind - was to tell her, "He's a genius with 'nice guy' qualities." She thought for a moment, and said to me, "I think you're a nice guy with genius qualities." It's for others to say whether or not I was deserving of it, but it was the nicest compliment I had ever received. Being aware I knew Leonard Bernstein and had by that point spoken with him so often, the young lady, a pianist, organist and singer, asked me if I could tell her essentially what he was like not just as a musician but specifically as a human being. ![]() Bernstein - I made the acquaintance of a young lady and her fiance, who for the next thirty years remained among my closest friends. ![]() ![]() When I lived in Europe - a year as pivotal for me as was the day I first met Mr. A personal "tribute" I once received involved Bernstein, albeit indirectly.
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