Leonard Bernstein: A Life

by Meryle Secrest

The most insightful and engrossing work we have had from the widely admired biographer of Frank Lloyd Wright ("Captivating ... The reader comes away with an understanding of Wright as a man as well as an architect" -- Washington Post Book World ... "Spellbinding" -- Boston Globe), of Bernard Berenson ("Authoritative and fascinating" -- Philip Toynbee, The Observer ... "A memorable opus" -- Sir Harold Acton), and of Kenneth Clark ("Splendid, enthralling" -- Wall Street Journal).

Here is Leonard Bernstein, full scale and fully alive -- the child prodigy, the man, the composer, the teacher, the hugely charismatic personality, the lover, the American folk hero.

Everything is the child growing up in a Hasidic family in Massachusetts, his father a rabbi's son; his first piano at age nine ("I remember touching it ... It was my contact with life, with God"); his reluctant, brilliant, argumentative years at Harvard; the rocky but exhilarating start of his career (scant jobs, no money, but friendships with Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, Judy Holliday, Comden and Green, et al.); his spectacular debut (understudy into a star!) as substitute conductor at the New York Philharmonic; the great career over the years as a composer in classical music (the Kaddish Symphony, Chichester Psalms, Songfest), and in musical theater (On the Town, Wonderful Town, Candide, West Side Story, Mass, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue).

We see the good father to his three children, the man who adored his wife, Felicia Montealegre, the man who adored men, the brilliant and generous mentor, the temperamental artist, the hypochondriac, the politician, the businessman, the Pied Piper ...

His life, his music, the great international cultural world in which he traveled, are richly and vividly portrayed in this magnificent biography, alive with music -- and with life.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Biography, Music, History, Nonfiction, Classical Music

471 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1994

About the author

Meryle Secrest was born and educated in Bath, England, and lives in Washington, DC. She is the author of twelve biographies and was awarded the 2006 Presidential National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Catherine Dubé · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rédigé par une biographe chevronnée, ce récit de la vie du célèbre compositeur et chef d'orchestre suit un cours assez linéaire et factuel. Des origines familiales jusqu'à la mort du maestro, on découvre les lieux, les contextes, les sociabilités ayant pavé la carrière de Bernstein. Pour une néophyte de la musique dite ''classique'' et du milieu si particulier dans lequel elle évolue, il était intéressant d'en apprendre plus sur les rouages des différentes institutions avec qui Bernstein a collaboré, de même que sur les personnes qui composaient son entourage, certaines presque tout au long de sa vie (Copland, Speyer...).
Le ton est la plupart du temps assez sobre, à l'exception de certains passages portant sur les dernières années de sa vie, où Secrest brosse un portrait peu reluisant de Bernstein et où des rumeurs (notamment de sa séropositivité) sont évoquées. Un brin racoleur.

Pas une lecture particulièrement mémorable en soi, mais cette biographie comporte certainement un intérêt si l'on souhaite découvrir la vie de cette figure immense qu'est Leonard Bernstein.

[Jason Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very comprehensive biography. Mostly very compelling, instructive and providing a wide view of his Bernstein's life. However, at times a bit rambling, disorganized, and lacking clarity in providing context of time and place. Often had a gossipy feel, and unfortunately it was heavy handed in describing the less disciplined later years of Bernstein's life.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid biography of Bernstein. I'm just getting interested in classical music, so I was looking to read a bio of him. He led an interesting life, and I now want to go listen to more of his original compositions.

[Bruce Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and thorough biography of Bernstein - his character and life. It captures all of his excitement and energy, as well as his contradictions. Clear eyed and comprehensive, it is a far richer and more satisfying description of the man than found in Maestro.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merle Secrest’s 1994 Leonard Bernstein also complements Burton’s and Myer’s biographies. Like Burton’s, this biography includes extensive citations, however, Secrest did not have access to the Bernstein Archive. Instead, he used personal interviews with Bernstein’s family and friends.

[Ray Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the location descriptions