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By Jack Zimmerman
T
his year marks the 100th anniversary
of Leonard Bernstein’s birth.
Certainly
one of America’s most famous musicians, Bernstein
is often mentioned in the same breath as Aaron
Copland, George Gershwin, and Charles Ives—and deservedly
so. His ascent to the apex of American culture was swift, and
his triumphs many. The centenary of any great musician’s birth
inspires a consideration of their works great and small, and
Bernstein left plenty of both. His catalogue of songs provides
a perfect cross-section of the attention he lavished upon all of
his music, so in celebration of both its 30th anniversary and
Bernstein’s 100th, Ravinia’s Steans Music Insitute will present
his complete songs over two seasons as part of the festival’s
multi-year salute to his legacy, starting with a free matinee
concert on August 19.
Growing up, Lenny Bernstein had an eccentric aunt.
“Crazy Clara,” as she was known to the family, was a
nudist, a sun-worshipper, a vegetarian, an exercise
faddist, and, most important, a lover of music. It
was Aunt Clara who gave the Bernsteins their first
piano. Lenny was all of 10 when the mahogany
upright arrived at the family home. “I remember
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RAVINIA’S STEANS MUSIC INSTITUTE