Lenny: Portrait of an American Maestro (Best of OLLI)
Larger than life, Leonard Bernstein was the most brilliant and beloved American musician of the 20th century. Composer, conductor, pianist, teacher, writer, socialite, tennis player, concert innovator, and prodigiously talented crossword puzzler, Bernstein was an international superstar who lived a full and very public life. His multi-faceted career is the stuff of legend, from On the Town and West Side Story through three symphonies, Chichester Psalms, and Serenade. In this class we will explore his life and music with recordings, videos, and stories. Featured will be a very special appearance by Jamie Bernstein, who will share stories and insights about her father and his music.
Faculty Bio
Violist and conductor Ben Simon has performed internationally with the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras. Music Director of the SF Chamber Orchestra for 21 years, he has taught at Harvard, Stanford and UC Berkeley. Inspired by Leonard Bernstein, Ben's passion is sharing his love for classical music.
This is a Best of OLLI Course
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Member Praise for Ben Simon
The instructor's very deep, well researched knowledge of the subject (Bernstein) was impressive. His presentation of the course was well organized and insightful.
This course was amazing! The instructor’s enthusiasm was infectious. I learned so much.