Carnegie Hall to Host Special Leonard Bernstein Tribute 11/14

The late Leonard Bernstein — that hip conductor, composer, and man-about-town who inspired legions of music lovers — is being fêted by the New York Philharmonic at every concert this season with a new set of chimes that beckon concertgoers to their seats. Launched October 30, the sounds of “Maria,” “Somewhere,” and “Tonight” from Bernstein’s iconic West Side Story are ringing at Avery Fisher Hall before concerts and at intermission, in tribute to the Orchestra’s Laureate Conductor, who would have turned 90 this year, and who is being celebrated all around the city as part of Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds.

To commemorate the 65th anniversary of his legendary New York Philharmonic debut in 1943, the Philharmonic will perform a special all-Bernstein program at Carnegie Hall this Friday, November 14 with Music Director Designate Alan Gilbert.

Outside of Avery Fisher Hall, Leonard Bernstein’s presence continues to resound all over the city, even on the subway.

The new chimes honor the long and celebrated history between Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic in this anniversary season. Since his headline-grabbing debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1943, on a national radio broadcast of a critically acclaimed performance at Carnegie Hall, almost 400 Philharmonic musicians have played for Leonard Bernstein. When he became Music Director, in 1958, he became the first American-born and trained conductor ever to be appointed to any major orchestra.  After his tenure ended in 1969 and he became the Philharmonic’s first and only Laureate Conductor, he returned nearly every season to lead the Orchestra at Lincoln Center and on tours around the country and the world. In total, he conducted 1,246 Philharmonic performances. His legacy is carried on today at the New York Philharmonic, where he remains affectionately known as “our Lenny.”