16 VII

1 hr. 16 min.

Documentary 2016, directed by Georg Wübbolt

The superb conductor is remembered by, among others: Gustavo Dudamel, Kent Nagano, Marin Alsop and Leonard Bernstein’s children: Jamie, Alexander and Nina Bernstein.

Recently there was on Polish screens a fictionalized biography of Leonard Bernstein directed by Bradley Cooper entitled Maestro. Bradley, who also played Bernstein in this film, focused on his private life; marriage and homoerotic tendencies. Bernstein’s art as a conductor and other musical talents were in the background and even in the third place.

And Georg Wübbolt tried to figure out what made Bernstein one of the most influential classical musicians of the last century. In this documentary, we will get to know Bernstein – a consummate conductor, a fine pianist, an interesting composer and an inspiring teacher. His educational concerts for young people on American CBS television, were watched with bated breath by young people in many countries around the world. They were also rebroadcast on TVP. He bought young people with fractious stories about composers and their works, often going beyond music.
All the songs from his musical West Side Story live their own stage life. Many of us can hum more than one of them. The more advanced are familiar with his Candide, which combines elements of opera, operetta and musical.

The interlocutors that Wübbolt chose are a guarantee of credibility. Lenny – as Bernstein was called – is remembered by those who knew him very well. And the individual statements shed light on different sides of the personality of this outstanding musician and man.