Lectures For Lifelong Learners!

Legendary in his own time, Leonard Bernstein was one of the most charismatic and talented musicians of the 20th century and, arguably, the most important American musician of the century. An artist who lived life to the fullest, vividly responding to the political and societal changes all around him, his magnetic personality inspired controversy yet his legacy is profound. Through video and audio examples, we can better discern how his artistic output was shaped by his early life, and how his own particular emotional, spiritual and psychological approach to music impacted genera-tions of artists in his wake.

“In the beginning was the Note, and the Note was with God. Whosoever can reach for that Note, reach high, and bring it back to us on earth…” L.B.

Hailed by millions the world over as the greatest opera star of all time, Callas’ early life was shaped by family troubles and her career bruised by the Nazi occupation of Ath-ens. With steely determination, extraordinary talent, and the support of her much-older husband/manager, she quickly became a sought-after global star. Yet scandals followed her everywhere, none more so than her ill-fated affair with Aristotle Onasis. Through video and audio examples, we will witness her brilliant career, coming as it did at a haunting cost to her sense of personal peace and happiness.

“An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I’ve left the opera house.” M.C.

Marian Anderson’s amazingly long and stunningly successful career as a singer is just the beginning of her story. A reluctant icon of the civil rights movement, rising to prominence in the early 1960’s, her story is one of struggle against self-doubt and ra-cial prejudice – yet she later earned universal acclaim as a passionate advocate for human rights and education. Through video and audio examples, we will witness her extraordinary expressive abilities, whether on the opera stage, at the White House, or in front of tens of thousands at the Lincoln Memorial.

When I sing, I don’t want them to see that my face is black; I don’t want them to see that my face is white – I want them to see my soul. And that is colorless.” M.A.

Two of the 19th century’s most prominent and talented musicians, Robert and Clara Schumann’s great love affair and marriage still hold mysteries and surprises. Within their profoundly creative world, the deeply expressive music they wrote for one anoth-er brings to life the anguish and passion of their life together. Through audio exam-ples [and live piano performance, when possible] and excerpts of their letters, we will explore their tumultuous romance, including the famous court case forced by Clara’s father, their rich careers, and the tragic mental illness that took Robert from Clara – and the music world – too soon.

Classical music – notably, that of Poland’s most beloved composer, Frederic Chopin – is vital to the mood, story and extraordinary hero in this inspiring film, based on the life of Polish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Szpilman was a renowned classical and jazz pianist and composer, working at the Polish Radio. Key excerpts from this powerful film chronicle his experiences throughout the war – three years in the ghetto and two more living in hiding in Warsaw – and his miraculous survival. Most of all, we will witness the vital role that music played in his resilience and courage.

“The life of a human being, let alone his personal freedom, is a matter of no importance. But the love of freedom is native to every human being and every nation, and cannot be suppressed in the long term.” W.S.