Leonard Bernstein: American Idol, American Idealist

Thursday, September 13, 2012
from 7-8:30 p.m.

For half a century, beginning in the 1940s, Leonard Bernstein was one of the most charismatic presences on the American arts scene. This presentation is a portal to understanding one of America’s most colossal but enigmatic musicians.

Commonwealth Speaker, Karl Middleman, of the Philadelphia Classical Symphony, gives a conductor’s perspective on what made Leonard Bernstein great. He also explores Bernstein’s engagement with social issues and talks about Bernstein’s time in Philadelphia at the Curtis Institute of Music. Video and audio recordings bring Bernstein’s story to life.

Registration begins August 24.
To register, call 215-885-5180 ext. 15, or register online by clicking here after August 24.
This program is free and open to the public.

An extremely versatile musician, Karl Middleman is familiar to audiences as a conductor, composer, pianist, writer and lecturer. He is the founder and Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Classical Symphony. His engaging presentations mix scholarship with showmanship and are noted for the bold, revelatory ways they reframe the classical music experience. His artistry has been cited in the music journal 19th Century Music and was twice awarded “Best in Philly.” A career educator, Middleman has served on the faculties of Arcadia University, Cabrini College and Philadelphia and Montgomery County Community Colleges. Currently he teaches at Temple University and is a regular workshop leader at the Pendle Hill Center.

Thank you to our sponsors:

This presentation is a program of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Pennsylvania Humanities Council, a nonprofit organization, inspires individuals to enjoy and share a life of learning.

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Jenkinstown Lyceum