In November away from 1961, two Arizona Blog post columnists hailed Chairman John F. Kennedy once the “an educated friend people has experienced on the White Home given that Thomas Jefferson.” step one Chairman Kennedy appreciated the fresh arts and you can shown their commitment to brand new arts area during the their management. The guy and Earliest Females Jacqueline Kennedy allowed the new news to help you social situations on Light Household, showing its part from inside the affecting the new public’s feeling of the arts. 2 This new Kennedys enjoy of several common carrying out arts teams to entertain during the Administrator Residence, like the Metropolitan Opera, Jerome Robbins Ballet, Western Dancing Theatre, and you can Western Shakespeare Festival. 3 Probably one of the most apparent relationships was involving the Kennedys and you may composer Leonard Bernstein.
During the Kennedy’s go up once the an excellent presidential applicant, he and you will Bernstein was basically currently associates. Both boys was produced and you can increased in Massachusetts and you may went to Harvard University within many years of one another. 4 Although not, Kennedy and you will Bernstein belonged to several societal circles. Centered on Bernstein, “The folks the guy spotted at the Harvard weren’t the people I saw-it is that simple.” 5 Bernstein recalled basic appointment Kennedy while he is actually an excellent United Claims Senator getting Massachusetts. Bernstein’s first impressions of your younger senator was basically “informality and stateliness… and you may good casualness and majesty… you to made you then become extremely important, which is an amazing thing getting an effective politician.” 6
Bernstein said they starred so it piece “not only in terms of resurrection on spirit of just one we like, however for the brand new resurrection away from pledge in all folks which mourn him
When you’re Bernstein didn’t publicly help Kennedy’s 1960 presidential strategy, he was questioned to sign up the newest pre-Inaugural gala of the conducting the fresh Federal Symphony Band to relax and play good special part, entitled Fanfare, which he authored towards celebration. eight He plus presented “A-listers and you will Band Permanently” and you may George Frideric Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” 8 Honest Sinatra generated plans that have Bernstein along with his partner, Felicia, with the inauguration. These provided pre-inauguration rehearsals, appreciation products and swanky inauguration testicle that were, “Black-tie otherwise white wrap diamond and you may emeralds as well as you to definitely jazz.” nine
President John F. Kennedy and First Females Jacqueline Kennedy attending good fundraiser to own National Society Cardiovascular system, now known due to the fact Kennedy Cardio, into November 30, 1962poser Leonard Bernstein was enlisted in order to run the fresh Federal Symphony Band into occasion.
Placed permanently on the White House Guest List, Bernstein visited on many occasions. Leonard and Felicia dined alone with the President, First Lady, and another couple on November 14, 1961, the day after attending a White House dinner in honor of the great cellist Pablo Casals. 10 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy attended additional performances of Bernstein’s orchestra. Kennedy backstage. Leonard Bernstein would greet the first lady after the show “like an old friend” according to historian Allen Shawn. 11
The fresh new Bernsteins cultivated its experience of the first Family unit members during Kennedy’s presidency. When you look at the January 1962, Felicia and you can Leonard went to a light House dining honoring the newest Russian-produced author Igor Stravinsky and his girlfriend Vera. a dozen Chairman Kennedy also questioned Leonard Bernstein to behave as grasp out of ceremonies to the telecast, “A western Pageant of your Arts,” inside affair from National Social Center Day. thirteen Of the together with musicians and artists from the telecast including Marian Anderson, Harry Belafonte, and Robert Freeze, the latest chairman hoped the American public create acquire interest in additional fundraising to possess a cultural center on banking institutions of one’s Potomac Lake throughout the nation’s financing. fourteen “A western Pageant of the Arts” elevated almost 500,000 bucks, on a third away from President Kennedy’s objective, with the strengthening now-known because the John F. Kennedy Cardiovascular system on Creating Arts. fifteen
Felicia Bernstein plus the basic girls watched this new shows with her, and you may after escorted Mrs
Once Chairman Kennedy’s murder, Leonard Bernstein conveyed his sorrow due to performance and private reflection. At “Night of A-listers,” a monument in order to President Kennedy on Madison Square Lawn to your November twenty-five, 1963, Bernstein considered their recent performance on Nyc Philharmonic of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony Zero. dos, Resurrection. ” 16 The guy proceeded, claiming, “We [artists] enjoyed him on prize and he held art, in which he kept all the creative response of your own peoples notice, whether or not it are indicated inside terms, otherwise cards, otherwise shows, or mathematical icons.” 17
The Kennedy and Bernstein families remained friends after the president’s death. Leonard Bernstein claimed that almost two years of the assassination he still couldn’t visit the White House, saying, “I couldn’t be at that place. It just seems too soon after the event.” 18 Jacqueline Kennedy brought her two children, John Jr. and you can Caroline, to Fairfield for a relaxing trip with the Bernstein family in 1964. 19 She later asked Bernstein if he would participate in the funeral of President Kennedy’s brother, Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. 20 This time Bernstein performed Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, to which Jacqueline Kennedy wrote, “I thought it was the most beautiful music I had ever heard.” 21 As a testament to Bernstein’s close relationship with the Kennedy family, the former first lady proclaimed that this piece was perfect and “much more appropriate for this Kennedy-my Kaleidoscopic brother-in-law.” 22 Kennedy also asked Bernstein to participate in the inauguration of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. by conducting Mass: A Theater Piece for singer, Players, and Dancers. 23
Bernstein remained a popular and better-recognized conductor on rest of their profession. He produced ballets and you may Broadway reveals, as well as Dybbuk and you may 1600 Pennsylvania Path. The guy journeyed the nation and you may used ensembles in numerous countries, along with Israel, Mexico, and Vatican. The guy received the newest Kennedy Cardiovascular system Celebrates for life Efforts so you can American Culture through the Performing Arts for the December, 1980. His history performance toward Nyc Philharmonic occurred into Oct 30, 1989. The guy stayed an activist having personal fairness and business comfort when you’re advocating for public service of starting arts. Bernstein passed away at the his home for the Oct fourteen, 1990 within chronilogical age of 72.