The Two Bernsteins

Leonard and Elmer were contemporaries and friends, who didn't even pronounce their last name the same, but both had some interesting aspects in common. They were both prominent American composters, with Elmer known for his film scores and Leonard for his work in classical music and Broadway, including the music for West Side Story. In this course, we first explore the multifaceted brilliance of Leonard Bernstein, whose defiance of artistic and social boundaries allowed him to move between classical music, Broadway, jazz, and other genres as well as address social and political themes in his work. We then look at Elmer Bernstein, whose compositions redefined the role of music in cinema, with unforgettable scores that included The Magnificent Seven and To Kill a Mockingbird. Through listening to their key works, we analyze their impact on American music and culture and how they continue to resonate today. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to the video for 30 days.