Awarded four Emmys and hailed by Variety as "a rare moment in the
symbiosis of the arts and broadcasting," Leonard Bernstein's Young
People's Concerts left their mark on television history. Aired on CBS
from 1958 to 1972, these 53 one-hour programs were written and hosted
by Leonard Bernstein. With the New York Philharmonic and guest artists
providing the live music, these programs brought musical concepts and
music history to life for generations of viewers. "Lectures accompanying
music might not sound like the formula of a hit kids' TV program, but
Bernstein was the secret ingredient who made it work" (Variety).
Balancing scholarship and showmanship, Maestro Bernstein brings the full
range of his magnetic personality to play in these programs. And he
succeeds in infecting viewers young and old, connoisseurs and the
uninitiated, with his overwhelming love of music.
Leonard Bernstein celebrates Mahler's centennial by conducting excerpts
from the composer's Fourth Symphony and discussing his career as a
composer and conductor. Soprano Reri Grist joins the orchestra in a
performance of the last movement of the Fourth Symphony. William Lewis
sings "Youth" and Helen Raab sings from "The Farewell," both from
Mahler's "The Song of the Earth."
