American Composer Focus: Leonard Bernstein
Sunday, March 18, 2018
The Aaron Copland School of Music Orchestra, under the batons of James John and Tong Chen, offered an all-Bernstein program to honor the 100th Anniversary of the composer's birth and in memory of Maestro Maurice Peress, distinguished conductor of the orchestra (1930-2017). On Sunday, March 18th, the many, deeply-moved listeners heard Bernstein’s Symphony No. 1, Jeremiah; the choral work Chichester Psalms (featuring the Queens College Choir and Nassau Community College Vocal Ensemble, James John and Ben Arendsen, directors); and "Make Our Garden Grow" from Candide. Maestro Peress, who planned this concert on what would have been his 88th birthday, began his career as assistant conductor under Bernstein at the New York Philharmonic. He drew a connection between Bernstein and Dvořák, pointing out that Bernstein's mentor Aaron Copland was a student of Rubin Goldmark, a member of Dvořák 's class of 1893 in New York City.
You can enjoy a replay of this event on our here on our YouTube Channel!
Supported by Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association.
