Leonard Bernstein Centennial

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Another trip to the Kennedy Center, this time to hear a concert honoring Leonard Bernstein and the approaching 100th anniversary of his birth.

The first two pieces were written by Bernstein. Slava! was written for Mstislav Rostropovich, who was coming to the NSO as Music Director in 1977. The second, Songfest, was commissioned by the NSO and Bernstein conducted its premiere, also in 1977, at the Kennedy Center.

The performance concluded with Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, a stunning and powerful experience.

The number of musicians required to perform the evening’s music was so large that the stage was extended and several rows of seats were removed.



© Russ Milam 2017