Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts: CBS 1958-1972
On August 7, 2013
- TV History
Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts: CBS 1958-1972
These special musical presentations for young people by The New York Philharmonic were actually started in 1924, but when conductor Leonard Bernstein arrived in 1958, he and CBS took it to a new level. These originated from Carnegie Hall, but in 1962 the orchestra moved to the new Lincoln Center. Originally broadcast on Saturday (episodes 1-7) and Sunday (episodes 8-15), the concerts moved to prime time for episodes 16-40. This was likely a CBS counter to Newton N. Minow’s speech referring to television as a vast wasteland. The concerts were also syndicated to forty countries.
I remember those!
Watched those all the time.
In Brazil “Concertos para a Juventude” tv Globo,Rio de Janeiro
Based on the photo, this does not look like either Carnegie Hall nor Lincoln Center. There’s a lighting grid visible above.
One of the great early influences on my interest in music. Berstein’s enthusiasm and knowledge was certainly infectious. Who could do that today? Would they?
We watched these every time, they were fantastic and The Maestro was infectious with his passion and energy….