TV: 'Our Lenny' Week on WNYC Featuring Callaway, Bogardus, and More

Leonard Bernstein's legacy resounds around the world, but for New Yorkers, he was and always will be, "Our Lenny." WNYC Radio - as the former municipal station of the City of New York -- was honored to share a particular relationship with him, broadcasting live many of the hometown Maestro's concerts, capturing interviews, and benefiting from his generosity as he appealed to listeners through WNYC radio spots and subway ads.

From Wednesday, September 24 - Monday, October 6, WNYC presents "OUR LENNY," a 13-day exploration and celebration of Bernstein's enduring New York legacy, emphasizing the personal connections that the station, the city, and the city's citizens shared with this remarkable artist. Weaving together archival material, in-depth features, interviews, in-studio performances and web-exclusive multimedia, "OUR LENNY" unites personalities from all walks of Bernstein's life to both illustrate and illuminate his enduring legacy.

"OUR LENNY" is presented in conjunction with Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic's citywide festival, Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds.

The celebration kicks off on Wednesday, September 24 with "WNYC Celebrates Our Lenny," a collection of tributes by WNYC hosts John Schaefer, Brian Lehrer, Leonard Lopate, Sara Fishko, and WNYC host emeritus Tim Page, who will share how Bernstein has affected their lives. The tributes will be followed by a treat from the WNYC archives: Bernstein's debut as New York City Symphony Orchestra conductor, first broadcast live on WNYC on October 8, 1945. The concert includes the National Anthem and selections from Copland, Shostakovitch and Brahms.

The centerpiece of "OUR LENNY," is the "Bernstein Songbook," hosted by WNYC American Standards host Jonathan Schwartz and Evening Music host Terrance McKnight. The evening will feature a night of reminiscences, conversation, and in-studio performances by Broadway luminaries Marni Nixon, Stephen Bogardus, Judy Blazer and Liz Callaway. Composer, arranger, and pianist Alex Rybeck will serve as musical director for the evening's festivities. "Bernstein Songbook" airs on Thursday, September 25, with an encore presentation on Saturday, October 4.

"OUR LENNY" airs nightly from 7-11pm (8-11pm on Saturdays) on WNYC's Evening Music on 93.9FM and via live webstreaming at www.wnyc.org, with additional Bernstein-related features on Soundcheck, The Leonard Lopate Show, Studio 360 and Morning Edition. Please visit http://www.wnyc.org/music/bernstein/calendar.html for a complete schedule.

WNYC Radio is New York's premier public radio station, comprising WNYC 93.9 FM and WNYC AM 820. As America's most listened-to public radio stations, reaching more than one million listeners every week, WNYC FM and AM extend New York City's cultural riches to the entire country and air the best national offerings from affiliate networks National Public Radio and Public Radio International. WNYC 93.9 FM broadcasts a wide range of daily news, talk, cultural and classical music programming, while WNYC AM 820 maintains a stronger focus on breaking news and international news reporting. For more information, visit www.wnyc.org.