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Tribute to John F. Kennedy

October 26, 2023

Tribute to John F. Kennedy is an address given by American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein to the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York on Monday, November 25, 1963 in response to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy; and later reprinted in his book Findings (Simon & Schuster: New York, NY 1982 ISBN 978-0671429195).[1]

Words found within the address have been repeated during times of tragedy, including the September 11 attacks, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, 2013 Paris attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing.[2][3]

Background Edit

On Friday, November 22, 1963, Leonard Bernstein was preparing for a video tape recording of the Young People's Concerts, when he heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, Texas. His response to those in attendance was: “We must go on. Life goes on.” However, shortly following this declaration, Bernstein replied, “we can’t go on.”[2]

Humphrey Burton wrote: “Bernstein saw Kennedy as a leader with outstanding intellectual gifts and a sympathy for the arts.”[4][5]

Bernstein once said, “Of all the political men that I have ever met, Kennedy was certainly the most moving and compassionate and lovable.”[4] In 1971, Bernstein wrote Mass to celebrate the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center.[6]

On November 25, 1963, at Madison Square Gardens, the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York presented its 25th annual “Night of Stars”. Vice-President Lyndon Johnson had been slated to give the address, but due to the assassination of President Kennedy just 3 days prior, Johnson cancelled.

The event became a vigil for those gathered in remembrance of the slain leader. In his stead, Bernstein spoke of shock, shame and despair, ignorance and hatred, and “rage at the senselessness of the crime.”[1]

Bernstein wrote the address just before being commissioned to compose his famous Chichester Psalms.[7]

Legacy Edit

In his book Findings, Bernstein printed the entire address entitled: “Tribute to John F. Kennedy” in 1982.[8]

Since then, the extracted words: “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly, than ever before” have inspired, been reprinted, graffitied, spoken, blogged, sung and dedicated to victims of unspeakable tragedies.[9]

Even Jeff Richman, Green-Wood Cemetery’s historian in Brooklyn, New York (where Bernstein is buried), quoted the words when interviewed by The New York Times.[10]

Following the death of Freddie Gray in 2015, Baltimore, Maryland enforced a city-wide curfew, which in turn affected the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Bernstein protégé, Marin Alsop, conducted the orchestra outside during the day in keeping with her mentor's words.[11]

Inspired works Edit

Several composers and artists have created works based on the text by Bernstein.

Composer Carl Holmquist wrote: “[Bernstein] was the consummate musician, a true force of nature that inspired people like me to want to make music like he did.”.[12] Holmquist composed a piece for band entitled: ‘’Our Reply’’, in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut and the Orlando nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida.[13]

American composer and conductor Lucas Richman composed “Symphony: This Will Be Our Reply” for orchestra and chorus inspired by the Bernstein quote.[14] It received its world premiere with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra & Chorus on March 30, 2019.[15] The work made its West Coast premiere with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony on August 17, 2019 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.[16]

In response to the Boston Marathon bombing, Walnut Hill School for the Arts performed a production of “Sleeping Beauty”, and elaborated on Bernstein's words: “One of the most natural ways we can respond is by continuing to make and share art.”[17]

In May 2017, composer Aaron Robinson premiered "This Will Be Our Reply To Violence" based on the famous quote by Bernstein. It was the first time the Bernstein Estate had ever granted a composer the rights to set the words to music.[18] Senator Susan Collins said of the premiere: "With the scourge of violence unabated in our times, we all must increase our devotion to the highest ideals of humanity.”[19]

On June 1, 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School alumni, students, musicians and composers performed a concert called: “Our Reply” in tribute to the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14, 2018.[20]

References Edit

  1. ^ a b Bernstein, Leonard (November 24, 1982). Leonard Bernstein. USA: Simon & Schuster. p. 147. ISBN 978-0671429195.
  2. ^ a b Buchenholz, Christopher (September 22, 2017). "An Artist's Response to Violence". Leonard Bernstein at 100. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  3. ^ Davies, Catrin (January 1, 2016). "Meet the Directors' Studio: Catrin Davies". Shakespeare Theatre Company. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Burton, Humphrey (January 2, 2018). Leonard Bernstein. USA: Faber & Faber. ISBN 978-0571337934.
  5. ^ Barnes, Tom (January 15, 2015). "51 Years Later Leonard Bernstein's Comments on Violence". NPR. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  6. ^ Symphony, San Francisco (January 1, 2018). "Leonard Bernstein and the San Francisco Symphony". SFS. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  7. ^ May, Thomas (June 17, 2018). "Behold, How Good: Choral Masterworks by Bernstein and Orff". Leonard Bernstein at 100. Los Angeles Master Chorale. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  8. ^ Bernstein, Leonard (November 25, 1963). "Tribute to John F. Kennedy". Amberson Holdings, LLC. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  9. ^ Tommasini, Anthony (January 9, 2015). "An Instrumental Force in the Face of Darkness". New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  10. ^ Clines, Francis X. (September 3, 2012). "Bernstein at Green-Wood". New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  11. ^ Lessner, Joanne Sydney (March 1, 2018). "A Shofar Sounds in Leonard Bernstein's Work". Haddash Magazine. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  12. ^ de Meij, Johan (November 24, 1982). Leonard Bernstein. USA: GIA Publications, Inc. p. 127. ISBN 978-1579997397.
  13. ^ "Carl Holmquist OUR REPLY". Bandworks Publications. April 1, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  14. ^ Bemidji Symphony Orchestra (January 1, 2018). "Music Will Be Our Reply". Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  15. ^ Harold Duckett (April 1, 2019). "Oak Ridge Symphony delivers moving Richman 'Reply'". KnoxTNToday.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  16. ^ "Lucas Richman Symphony's THIS WILL BE OUR REPLY to Make West Coast Premiere" (PDF). Broadway World. July 28, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  17. ^ Robert Rosen (April 18, 2013). "Walnut Hill School Responds to Marathon Bombing". Marlborough Patch. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  18. ^ Keyes, Bob (April 23, 2017). "Numb With Sorrow: A Maine Composer Channels A Musical Hero". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  19. ^ Adams, Abigail (April 30, 2017). "Maine composer uses music as 'our reply to violence'". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  20. ^ Michael Shapiro (May 14, 2018). "Marjory Stoneman Douglas Student Musicians, Alumni, and Nationally Recognized Composers and Musicians to Issue Our Reply, June 1". Tap Into Parkland. Retrieved June 18, 2018.

External links Edit

  • The New Yorker: Making Art in a Time of Rage
  • Carl Holmquist: Our Reply
  • Our Reply to Violence
  • Lucas Richman Explains his Symphony "This will be our reply..."

October 26, 2023
tribute, john, kennedy, address, given, american, composer, conductor, leonard, bernstein, united, jewish, appeal, greater, york, monday, november, 1963, response, assassination, president, john, kennedy, later, reprinted, book, findings, simon, schuster, york. Tribute to John F Kennedy is an address given by American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein to the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York on Monday November 25 1963 in response to the assassination of President John F Kennedy and later reprinted in his book Findings Simon amp Schuster New York NY 1982 ISBN 978 0671429195 1 Words found within the address have been repeated during times of tragedy including the September 11 attacks the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting 2013 Paris attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing 2 3 Contents 1 Background 2 Legacy 3 Inspired works 4 References 5 External linksBackground EditOn Friday November 22 1963 Leonard Bernstein was preparing for a video tape recording of the Young People s Concerts when he heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas Texas His response to those in attendance was We must go on Life goes on However shortly following this declaration Bernstein replied we can t go on 2 Humphrey Burton wrote Bernstein saw Kennedy as a leader with outstanding intellectual gifts and a sympathy for the arts 4 5 Bernstein once said Of all the political men that I have ever met Kennedy was certainly the most moving and compassionate and lovable 4 In 1971 Bernstein wrote Mass to celebrate the opening of the John F Kennedy Center 6 On November 25 1963 at Madison Square Gardens the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York presented its 25th annual Night of Stars Vice President Lyndon Johnson had been slated to give the address but due to the assassination of President Kennedy just 3 days prior Johnson cancelled The event became a vigil for those gathered in remembrance of the slain leader In his stead Bernstein spoke of shock shame and despair ignorance and hatred and rage at the senselessness of the crime 1 Bernstein wrote the address just before being commissioned to compose his famous Chichester Psalms 7 Legacy EditIn his book Findings Bernstein printed the entire address entitled Tribute to John F Kennedy in 1982 8 Since then the extracted words This will be our reply to violence to make music more intensely more beautifully more devotedly than ever before have inspired been reprinted graffitied spoken blogged sung and dedicated to victims of unspeakable tragedies 9 Even Jeff Richman Green Wood Cemetery s historian in Brooklyn New York where Bernstein is buried quoted the words when interviewed by The New York Times 10 Following the death of Freddie Gray in 2015 Baltimore Maryland enforced a city wide curfew which in turn affected the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Bernstein protege Marin Alsop conducted the orchestra outside during the day in keeping with her mentor s words 11 Inspired works EditSeveral composers and artists have created works based on the text by Bernstein Composer Carl Holmquist wrote Bernstein was the consummate musician a true force of nature that inspired people like me to want to make music like he did 12 Holmquist composed a piece for band entitled Our Reply in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown Connecticut and the Orlando nightclub shooting in Orlando Florida 13 American composer and conductor Lucas Richman composed Symphony This Will Be Our Reply for orchestra and chorus inspired by the Bernstein quote 14 It received its world premiere with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra amp Chorus on March 30 2019 15 The work made its West Coast premiere with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony on August 17 2019 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles 16 In response to the Boston Marathon bombing Walnut Hill School for the Arts performed a production of Sleeping Beauty and elaborated on Bernstein s words One of the most natural ways we can respond is by continuing to make and share art 17 In May 2017 composer Aaron Robinson premiered This Will Be Our Reply To Violence based on the famous quote by Bernstein It was the first time the Bernstein Estate had ever granted a composer the rights to set the words to music 18 Senator Susan Collins said of the premiere With the scourge of violence unabated in our times we all must increase our devotion to the highest ideals of humanity 19 On June 1 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School alumni students musicians and composers performed a concert called Our Reply in tribute to the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14 2018 20 References Edit a b Bernstein Leonard November 24 1982 Leonard Bernstein USA Simon amp Schuster p 147 ISBN 978 0671429195 a b Buchenholz Christopher September 22 2017 An Artist s Response to Violence Leonard Bernstein at 100 Retrieved June 17 2018 Davies Catrin January 1 2016 Meet the Directors Studio Catrin Davies Shakespeare Theatre Company Retrieved June 17 2018 a b Burton Humphrey January 2 2018 Leonard Bernstein USA Faber amp Faber ISBN 978 0571337934 Barnes Tom January 15 2015 51 Years Later Leonard Bernstein s Comments on Violence NPR Retrieved June 17 2018 Symphony San Francisco January 1 2018 Leonard Bernstein and the San Francisco Symphony SFS Retrieved June 18 2018 May Thomas June 17 2018 Behold How Good Choral Masterworks by Bernstein and Orff Leonard Bernstein at 100 Los Angeles Master Chorale Retrieved June 18 2018 Bernstein Leonard November 25 1963 Tribute to John F Kennedy Amberson Holdings LLC Retrieved June 18 2018 Tommasini Anthony January 9 2015 An Instrumental Force in the Face of Darkness New York Times Retrieved June 18 2018 Clines Francis X September 3 2012 Bernstein at Green Wood New York Times Retrieved June 18 2018 Lessner Joanne Sydney March 1 2018 A Shofar Sounds in Leonard Bernstein s Work Haddash Magazine Retrieved June 18 2018 de Meij Johan November 24 1982 Leonard Bernstein USA GIA Publications Inc p 127 ISBN 978 1579997397 Carl Holmquist OUR REPLY Bandworks Publications April 1 2018 Retrieved June 18 2018 Bemidji Symphony Orchestra January 1 2018 Music Will Be Our Reply Retrieved June 18 2018 Harold Duckett April 1 2019 Oak Ridge Symphony delivers moving Richman Reply KnoxTNToday com Retrieved April 15 2019 Lucas Richman Symphony s THIS WILL BE OUR REPLY to Make West Coast Premiere PDF Broadway World July 28 2019 Retrieved December 18 2019 Robert Rosen April 18 2013 Walnut Hill School Responds to Marathon Bombing Marlborough Patch Retrieved June 18 2018 Keyes Bob April 23 2017 Numb With Sorrow A Maine Composer Channels A Musical Hero Portland Press Herald Retrieved December 18 2019 Adams Abigail April 30 2017 Maine composer uses music as our reply to violence Bangor Daily News Retrieved December 18 2019 Michael Shapiro May 14 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Student Musicians Alumni and Nationally Recognized Composers and Musicians to Issue Our Reply June 1 Tap Into Parkland Retrieved June 18 2018 External links EditThe New Yorker Making Art in a Time of Rage Carl Holmquist Our Reply Our Reply to Violence Lucas Richman Explains his Symphony This will be our reply Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tribute to John F Kennedy amp oldid 1097577428, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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