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If you're not into watching the Rose Bowl parade or game and are more of the 20th Century classical music type, KCRW 89.9 FM has been airing a marathon broadcast and live webstream simulcast of an 11-hour documentary series, Leonard Bernstein: An American Life. It started at 9 a.m. and goes 'til 5 p.m., then continues for two hours at 7 p.m. Bernstein is one of America's iconic composers--you might recognize his work from West Side Story, Candide or On The Town. Today's schedule is below...
HOUR ONE
Leonard Bernstein -- The Early Years (1917-1939) Bernstein's early years, through Harvard years and his meeting with Aaron Copland, a key influence on Bernstein's development.
HOUR TWO
12 Gates to the City -- Meeting the Mentors (1939--1943) Filling in for Bruno Walter, Bernstein becomes the first American-born conductor to lead a New York Philharmonic subscription concert. 25-year-old Bernstein is suddenly a star.
HOUR THREE
New York, New York (1944-1951) Bernstein establishes himself as the wunderkind of American culture. From the creation of the groundbreaking musical comedy On The Town with Jerome Robbins, Adolph Green and Betty Comden, to his emergence as a force in the world of "serious music."
HOUR FOUR
Tonight (1951-1958) Bernstein is at the height of his public reputation. We look at his TV music specials for Robert Saudek and the CBS series Omnibus, and his landmark musical theatre works, Candide and West Side Story.
HOUR FIVE
A New Frontier - The Philharmonic Years (1959-68) Bernstein is enthroned as "star conductor" and the living embodiment of the Television Age in serious music.
HOURS SIX AND SEVEN
Bernstein: The Conductor Bernstein's evolution as a conductor and his role as a teacher.
HOUR EIGHT
Crossroads (1968-1978) Bernstein leaves the Philharmonic and ends his 25-year relationship with Columbia Records. He leaves his wife for his lover Tommy Cochran then returns following her diagnosis of lung cancer.
HOURS NINE AND TEN
Bernstein: The Composer Bernstein's role as composer is overshadowed by his roles as conductor and teacher. We examine his body of composed music.
HOUR ELEVEN
A Candle Burned At Both Ends (1979-1990) Bernstein races to finish major compositional works he hopes will help gain him the reputation as a major composer that he feels has eluded him. Only after his passing does the immensity of Bernstein's place in the music of the 20th century become clear.
