LEONARD BERNSTEIN: THE POWER OF MUSIC At NMAJH Closes September 2

The special exhibition Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music is on view through September 2 at the National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH). The first large-scale museum exhibition to illustrate the famed conductor and composer's life, Jewish identity, and social activism, Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music features approximately 100 historic artifacts-from Bernstein's piano and conducting suit to family heirlooms-along with original films and immersive sound installations. The exhibition is part of the worldwide centennial celebration of Bernstein's birthday.

The exhibition explores how Bernstein's approach to music was informed by the political and social crises of his day. Bernstein used the arts to express the restlessness, anxiety, fear, and hope of an American Jew living through World War II and the Holocaust, the Vietnam War, and turbulent social change that shook his faith: in God, in humanity, and in government. The exhibition focuses on what Bernstein referred to as his "search for a solution to the 20th?century crisis of faith" and how he confronted this "crisis" by breaking racial barriers in his casting decisions for On the Town (1944), addressing America's changing ideas about race and ethnicity in West Side Story, and giving a voice to the human rights crisis during the Vietnam era in his provocative theater piece, MASS (1971), as examples.

Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music brings together approximately 100 original artifacts, some never-before-exhibited in public. Artifact highlights include Bernstein's piano, an annotated copy of Romeo and Juliet used for the development of West Side Story, the program for his Carnegie Hall debut, his conducting suit, his easel used for studying scores and composing, and much more. Bernstein's Jewish heritage, so deeply ingrained in him by his parents and so intricately woven through his life and work, will be conveyed through a number of artifacts, including the mezuzah that hung in his studio, the Hebrew prayer book he carried with him when he traveled, his ketubah (Jewish marriage contact), his family's Passover seder plate, and the Talmud (book of Jewish law) given to Bernstein by his father. The exhibition also features a variety of films, sound installations, and interactive media. Visitors can hear from Bernstein himself through archival recordings and documentary footage, alongside interviews with those who knew him best.

The exhibition has garnered significant media attention, including coverage by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, WHYY, CBS, and The Jewish Exponent. The New York Times has called Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music "among the most notable homages to Mr. Bernstein." Following its run at NMAJH, the exhibition will be on view at Brandeis University (Waltham, MA), October 5 - November 20, 2018 and then at Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage (Beachwood, OH), September 22, 2019 - February 22, 2020.

A calendar listing of exhibition-related programming at the Museum follows.

Free Summer Friday afternoons at NMAJH
1 - 5PM, through August 24, 2018

Leonard Bernstein's 100th Birthday
Saturday, August 25, 10AM - 5:30PM
The Museum will be open and FREE on what would have been musical icon Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday. Visitors will have access to the entire Museum for free as the special exhibition Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music enters its final week on view at the Museum. Celebrate with special events throughout the day, including chalk art on the plaza.

Happy Birthday Bernstein! A Midsummer's Eve Celebrating Life, Love, and Lenny
Saturday, August 25, 8PM - midnight
Join the Young Friends of NMAJH as we gather for our annual summer party! This year we are celebrating Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday (on his actual birthday) with a night full of music, dancing, and a special late night view of the special exhibition Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music. Drinks and light fare included with ticket purchase.
Cost: $40 non-members / $30 for Young Friends of NMAJH Members.
Tickets: bit.ly/HappyBirthdayLenny

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