ABSTRACT
Alexander Bernstein’s personal account of his father gives the reader an insightful glimpse into the passions and political leanings of Leonard Bernstein characterized so well in the aforementioned quote. There are several topics that have remained in the forefront since Bernstein’s death, which are indeed vital today. The interview with Alexander shows how his father’s seminal ideas and actions remain worthy of study and emulation. Some of the best descriptions of the religious nature and inherent meaning of Bernstein’s Jewish works can be found in Jack Gottlieb’s memoir: Working with Bernstein. Besides religion and faith, some of the long-standing topics that Bernstein tackled include equality, racism and a firm belief in the power of the creative individual; these important issues are front and center very early in his adult life and are sustained until his final years. During his lifetime, Bernstein established a practice of making art with humanitarian ideals that still stands as a model today.
