Leonard Bernstein's Symphony No. 3 ("Kaddish") epitomizes the musical and religious contradictions embodied by the man. Bernstein speaks about the making of the "Kaddish"; actress Laila Robins reads the "Closing Prayer"; and Boston scholars detail the musical and religious roots of Bernstein's "12-tone" -- yet tonal symphony.
Academy award-winning actor Jeremy Irons reads Leonard Bernstein's poem, a negotiation with a gender-changing God, penned six months before his death.
Written in Hebrew for his teacher in Tel Aviv, "Poem for Yom Kippur," captures Leonard Bernstein's devotion to, and struggle with, his Jewish identity. Actress Laila Robins reads.
Seventy years ago, Leonard Bernstein began a conducting tour of Europe, marking a critical development point for him, as a musician and a human being, and for a world reeling from war.
Bernstein’s identity as composer and conductor was deeply influenced by a combination of his own Jewish heritage and the place of religion in 20th Century society and culture.
No piece serves as a better introduction to Leonard Bernstein's compositions than West Side Story.
