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Leonard Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in January 1961.
“West Side Story” is probably the most famous musical ever. It was composed by Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) in the mid-1950s. On the occasion of the new production in Zurich, his son Alexander (67) remembers what it was like to grow up under the legendary conductor, whose classic two years ago was also filmed by Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (76), and why he is not always a great one had been father.
SonntagsBlick: Mr. Bernstein, “West Side Story” still enjoys great popularity after 70 years. Why?
Alexander Bernstein: The melodies from the musical have long since become classics. Everybody knows her. Music brings back fond memories for most people. At the same time, the compositions have remained timeless because they are so versatile – which is what is really astonishing and extraordinary about them.
They were two years old when West Side Story premiered on Broadway in 1957. How musical was your childhood?
Father often composed at home because he hated being alone. For example, he would lie on the sofa, half asleep, then wake up and jot down new ideas or go to the piano and play something. What he didn’t like was the radio. He didn’t want to be distracted or influenced. We children were also not allowed to listen to the radio when we were doing homework. We hardly ever listened to records by other artists at home. We regularly go to concerts.
And got to know the most famous stars there.
I agree. I was about nine when we met the Beatles backstage on The Ed Sullivan Show. I met Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth II. Many of these encounters were, of course, incredible for me.
Personal: Leonard and Alexander Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein came from a Jewish immigrant family. He grew up in the US state of Massachusetts. As a child he played the piano. He later studied music and philosophy at Harvard University. He was soon considered a child prodigy. His repertoire included both classical and avant-garde works. Bernstein has three children, including New York resident Alexander Bernstein (67), who is divorced and the father of a daughter (23).
Leonard Bernstein came from a Jewish immigrant family. He grew up in the US state of Massachusetts. As a child he played the piano. He later studied music and philosophy at Harvard University. He was soon considered a child prodigy. His repertoire included both classical and avant-garde works. Bernstein has three children, including New York resident Alexander Bernstein (67), who is divorced and the father of a daughter (23).
What kind of person was your father?
He was always full of energy. He also had a wonderful aura. When he entered a room, he took it all for himself. And he had an amazing memory. He could quote whole scenes from Shakespeare. Or if he heard a song by another artist that he liked, he could play it immediately. He really was a genius at that.
Did he also have negative qualities?
He knew he was extraordinary. And please let us know. If he got bad criticism, it really got to him. He had a certain self-love about him. He was able to talk at great length about what a great concert he had just given. If someone has a big ego, it can sometimes be overwhelming for others. It was mostly for my mother.
Was he sometimes angry too?
When I was a kid, I stuck a pencil in his ear. Then he got really angry. Understandable, because his hearing was his greatest treasure. Otherwise, however, he was particularly upset about wrong political decisions or war and social injustice. He could really irritate himself about that.
Her parents separated in the 1970s after her mother found out her father was gay. How was this time for you?
Even as a teenager, I knew that other people were very important to my father. At the time I thought maybe he had a girlfriend. He was often gone and was idolized everywhere. Later I had many gay friends. So it didn’t shock me too much when Father’s disposition became known. But of course I felt very sorry for my mother.
He then moved in with his boyfriend.
Exactly, Tommy. This decision tore our family apart. However, after my mother was diagnosed with cancer, he returned to her and stayed until her death in 1978. We were reconciled long ago.
In 1990 her father died of heart failure. Do you remember his last words?
It was a Sunday, I was at his house. I was watching a football game on TV. Father had been ill for a long time, he was ventilated. I kept going to his room to check on him. And then suddenly he wasn’t there anymore, he died without last words to me.
As a Bernstein heir, you could have lived a peaceful life ever since. Despite this, you always worked.
I originally wanted to be an actor, but I was too bad – and not passionate enough for the job either. After that I worked as a teacher for many years. That gave me a lot of pleasure. Today I run the Bernstein office in New York, taking care of the rights and licenses for my father’s work. I like to fill my everyday life in a meaningful way.
Simply enjoying life wouldn’t have been for you?
Lying on the beach doing nothing all day would be a nightmare to imagine. I would be bored to death after three days. I guess I inherited that from my father. He could hardly sit still, always had to do something. He enriched the world with his art and gave it so much good. I always wanted to try it on a smaller scale.