With the release of ‘Maestro‘, a film based on the life of musician Leonard Bernstein, viewers have become increasingly curious about the kind of imprint he has left on the music industry. The film, featuring Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan focuses on the love that Bernstein had for music, his wife, and men.
Though Bernstein had a rather dramatic life full of controversies and unconventional scandals, it was his exceptional work that eventually made him one of the most acclaimed composers of his time. As ‘Maestro’ continues to give viewers a sneak peek into his personal life, here is the list of Bernstein’s top five works that will always keep his name shining bright.
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1. West Side Story
The musical that got Bernstein to the zenith of his career was ‘West Side Story’ released in 1956. Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and captivated on the bustling streets of New York, this is the most acclaimed musical that Bernstein gained immense recognition. It is a collaboration between Jerome Robbins and playwright Arthur Laurents, while its lyrics are written by Stephen Sondheim.
2. Chichester Psalms
Created in 1965, ‘Chichester Psalms’ was sung in Hebrew. Bernstein had composed it on a special request from the Very Reverend Walter Hussey, Dean of the Cathedral of Chichester in Sussex, England, who had written him a letter asking to create something that had a hint of ‘West Side Story’ to it. The text of the musical was arranged from the Book of Psalms. The three-movement piece soon became a celebrated psalm and clearly met Hussey’s expectations.
3. Mass – A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers
With 110 minutes of running time, Bernstein wrote this song at the request of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for the inauguration of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, in 1971. Sung in Latin and Hebrew, Bernstein has topped it with some English verses he himself wrote. The symphony is dedicated to the memory of the assassinated president and encapsulates the Tridentine Mass of the Roman Catholic Church.
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4. On the Waterfront
With On the Waterfront, Bernstein ventured into film composition, marking the only original film score that he has composed. The film itself was a marvel, made by director Elia Kazan, along with Marlon Brando and Eve Marie Saint. Released in 1954, the film won eight Oscars. Bernstein’s score was also nominated but didn’t win. But that in no way took away the beauty of this artwork, especially because he said it was challenging for him to churn it out. Bernstein initially turned the project down but later agreed to take it up after a private screening of the film.
5. Symphony No. 2, ‘The Age Of Anxiety’
Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2, ‘The Age Of Anxiety’, released in 1942, has no words but a single piano part based on WH Auden‘s poem. Particularly reflective of Bernstein’s liberal approach, the symphony delves into the uncertainties of the 20th century. Featuring four characters seeking faith amid the insecurities of human life, the symphony is divided into two parts. The orchestration of this piece, with jazz scherzo, works as a cherry on top of this philosophical composition.
Leonard Bernstein’s musical legacy extends far beyond these five masterpieces, as the ‘Maestro‘ has been given the title for a reason.
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