Leonard Bernstein: Young People's Concerts | What is American Music (Part 2 of 4)

What is American Music?

Aired date: Feb 1, 1958

Plot: From Carnegie Hall, Bernstein discusses the origins and characteristics of American music. After an extended excerpt from George Gershwin's An American in Paris and a discussion of nationalistic and folk music, excerpts from compositions by American composers Edward MacDowell, William Schuman, Virgil Thomson, and others are performed. In closing Aaron Copland conducts parts of his own Third Symphony.

For full script: http://leonardbernstein.com/ypc_script_what_is_american_music.htm

Distributor: KULTUR International Films, Inc.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Music Appreciation
• Classical Music
• Young People's Concerts
• YPC
• New York Philharmonic
• Children's Education

[StarkEpoch]

@JasonDeCristofaro, you're forgetting this was the 1950's. Martin Luther King Jr. didn't make an impact until the 60's, so it was socially acceptable for this kind of racism.

[JasonDeCristofaro]

No mention of Scott Joplin, who was the first major American composer.

[JasonDeCristofaro]

Leonard Bernstein is one of America's greatest individuals and is a national treasure. It is disheartening, however, to see his blatant racism towards Native Americans and African-Americans, as he refers to their rich and vibrant musical traditions as primitive. Again, Mr. Bernstein is one of the most important Americans and did great things for music education, but it is upsetting to see him act so condescending towards groups that contributed a great deal to this nation's musical heritage.