On Demand
Our Lenny
A 13-day Exploration and Celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s Enduring New York Legacy
Airs Wednesday, September 24 through Monday, October 6 on WNYC, WNYC2, and wnyc.org
Leonard Bernstein’s legacy resounds around the world, but for New Yorkers, he was and always will be, “Our Lenny.” WNYC Radio was honored to share a particular relationship with him, and stands in a unique position to explore the personal connections that the city and its citizens shared with this remarkable artist. Weaving together archival material, in-depth features, interviews, in-studio performances and web-exclusive multimedia, “Our Lenny” unites personalities from all walks of Bernstein’s life to both illustrate and illuminate his enduring legacy.
NOTE: The contest is now over. Check back soon for winner's names and entries!
Bernstein: In His Own Words
Evening Music
October 06, 2008
WNYC's "Our Lenny" Festival wraps up with a Leonard Bernstein musical sampler. We also hear examples of Bernstein in conversation, including his introductions to Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony and Copland's "Outdoor Overture," as well as a discussion of composer Charles Ives.
Web Exclusive: Chita Rivera on "West Side Story"
Evening Music
October 04, 2008
Wall to Wall Bernstein at Symphony Space
Evening Music
October 02, 2008
Our Bernstein celebration continues with the best of Symphony Space's 1997 "Wall to Wall Bernstein" concert. Highlights include Adolphe Green and Betty Comden in "New York, New York," and Bernstein children Nina and Jamie performing a song they wrote for the occasion.
Demystifying "Mass"
Evening Music
October 01, 2008
"I've not written a Mass, I've written a theater piece about a Mass." That's what Leonard Bernstein had to say about his abstract and colorful "Mass," commissioned in 1971 by Jacqueline Kennedy to open the Kennedy Center. Composer Daniel Felsenfeld joins us to provide insight into one of Bernstein's most controversial — and misunderstood — works for the stage.
A Bernstein Celebration
Evening Music
October 01, 2008
The New York Festival of Song's Artistic Directors Steven Blier and Michael Barrett lead this vocal concert in celebration of Leonard Bernstein. Included on the program are songs from "Peter Pan," "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue," "Songfest," "Wonderful Town," "On the Town," and "Arias and Barcarolles."
Living Legend: Stanley Drucker
Evening Music
September 30, 2008
Few musicians have enjoyed the longevity of New York Philharmonic principal clarinetist Stanley Drucker, who joined the orchestra in 1948. Drucker joins us to talk about his legendary career, and of course, his long-time collaboration with Leonard Bernstein.
Bernstein's Possibilities of Song
Spinning On Air
September 28, 2008
As part of WNYC's "Our Lenny" celebration of Leonard Bernstein's music and influence, host David Garland presents both some of Bernstein's own songs, and the work of contemporary songwriters such as Luke Temple, Sufjan Stevens, My Brightest Diamond, Sport Murphy, Dan Goldman, Ricky Ian Gordon, and others, who seem influenced by Bernstein's model of blending Art and Pop into emotional, sophisticated songs.
West Side Story Revisited
Evening Music
September 27, 2008
Singer/songwriter Sport Murphy combines an expressively fluid voice with a wry sense of ironic humor and free-form musical style to create his unique and compelling songs. Murphy joins David Garland in the studio to take a tour of one of his favorite musicals, Leonard Bernstein's immortal "West Side Story."
Leonard Bernstein, Live
The Leonard Lopate Show
September 26, 2008
We continue WNYC’s celebration of Leonard Bernstein, with live music! Hear some favorite Bernstein show tunes, performed by saxophonist Loren Schoenberg (who’s also executive director of the National Jazz Museum of Harlem) and pianist Aaron Diehl.
Broadcast Schedule
View a complete schedule of "Our Lenny" events on WNYC.
More
Bernstein: An American Life
WNYC airs the entire groundbreaking 11-part documentary series, narrated by Susan Sarandon.
More
Sponsorship for "Our Lenny"
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds
WNYC's "Our Lenny" Festival is presented in coordination with Carnegie Hall and The New York Philharmonic's special event series, "Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds."
More from the Carnegie Hall website
New Sounds Live
2009-2010 Concert Season
Guitarist Vernon Reid's multi-media "Artificial Afrika" to the music of avant-pop Dutch composer Jacob TV, songs by Elizabeth and the Catapult, new music to silent films by Yasujiro Ozu, and more.
More
Ear to Ear
Ear to Ear takes innovative musicians off the New York stages and into the studio for relaxed, insightful conversation, as they share their personal recordings with host David Garland.
More
The New Americans
WNYC announces The New Americans, an ongoing station-wide celebration of foreign-born artists now residing in the United States.
More
The Wordless Music Series
WNYC presents four one-hour specials that highlight the ground-breaking '07-'08 season of the Wordless Music Series, hosted by Radio Lab's Jad Abumrad.
More
Concerts from the Frick Collection
For over sixty years, the series Concerts from The Frick Collection has delighted WNYC listeners with the finest in keyboard recitals, chamber groups, and early music ensembles.
More
