I know that this is an art blog, and not a music blog. But there are at least two reasons why I can’t resist sharing this clip from Leonard Bernstein’s legendary Norton lectures of 1973: 1. He was one of the best explainers on the planet, and 2. His thoughts on metaphor are universal enough to apply to those of us who draw pictures and write stories.
More from the Bernstein website, link. New York Times review of the DVD release, link.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Jim! Music is art, so I see this as a very appropriate post. Anything to get the creative juices flowing and help us to see the world in new and interesting ways. You're right, he's an excellent explainer. And I know I'll be listening a little closer to the metaphors in my music today.
What a lovely treatment; Bernstein was wonderful, no question about it. Thank you for this and for so many other excellent, informative postings. I really enjoy your blog and visit it regularly.
Bernstein must attract luminaries, because so many of the commentators here are people who are the "Bernsteins" of their area of expertise. To acknowledge just the last two, Munchanka, who happens to be one of the hottest Pixar animators, and David Apatoff, whose "Illustration Art" blog always presents new work, new artists, and new insights.
By the way, I've been working my way through the full Bernstein lectures on DVDs, and he is just as mesmerizing for the 10 or so hours as he is for these few minutes.
Just AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing :)
I admire people that are able to make complex or abstract things sound simple and understandable.
ReplyDeleteBut if you'll excuse me, I will now put the lesson learned into practice on my drawing board.
Bernstein was great. We sorely need someone just like him now. These rarely seen lectures are a triumph from start to finish.
ReplyDeleteThe description of metaphor as giving a name to everything is particularly insightful. Thank you for sharing.
kev
wow! That was fantastic. Thanks for sharing that.
ReplyDeletecheck out the bell bottoms on the audiance! haha, almost as cool as the tron goggles!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this, Jim! Music is art, so I see this as a very appropriate post. Anything to get the creative juices flowing and help us to see the world in new and interesting ways. You're right, he's an excellent explainer. And I know I'll be listening a little closer to the metaphors in my music today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely treatment; Bernstein was wonderful, no question about it. Thank you for this and for so many other excellent, informative postings. I really enjoy your blog and visit it regularly.
ReplyDeleteBernstein must attract luminaries, because so many of the commentators here are people who are the "Bernsteins" of their area of expertise. To acknowledge just the last two, Munchanka, who happens to be one of the hottest Pixar animators, and David Apatoff, whose "Illustration Art" blog always presents new work, new artists, and new insights.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've been working my way through the full Bernstein lectures on DVDs, and he is just as mesmerizing for the 10 or so hours as he is for these few minutes.