Leonard Bernstein and the Israel Philharmonic

Description

Official Selection
Boulder Jewish Film Festival
Orange County International Jewish Film Festival
Boca International Jewish Film Festival
Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival
3 Stars Jewish Cinema Film Festival
Santa Fe Jewish Film Festival
North Park Film Festival
Arizona Jewish Historical Society
Fresno Jewish Film Series

Summary

Leonard Bernstein was one of the most celebrated Jewish musicians of all time. The Museum and the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra presented this program to explore Leonard Bernstein’s remarkable legacy in Israel.

Bernstein’s musical career in Israel began in 1947, when he first conducted a symphony in Tel Aviv for the Palestine Symphony Orchestra. The next year, he conducted an open-air concert for Israeli troops in the middle of the desert during Israel’s War of Independence, within earshot of retreating Egyptian forces. Over the next several decades, he went on to conduct and perform in dozens of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s concerts, including leading their first American tour.

Director

Hershey Felder

Hershey Felder is a pianist, actor and producer known for his portrayals of classical and American composers on the theatrical stage. Canada born to European parents and with a European heart, Felder is a proud resident of Florence.

He was born on 9 July 1968 in Montreal, Québec, Canada. He is an actor, known for Tinseltown (1997), WGN Morning News (1994) and Jeopardy! (1984). He has been married to Kim Campbell since 1997.