Backstage with Brian Bell
on Erich Leinsdorf
Erich Leinsdorf became music director of the BSO in 1962, at a critical time in the orchestra's history. After Leinsdorf's death in 1993, Brian produced this retrospective, which, in part one, touches on the conductor's background in opera, his ambitious recording schedule, and, with archival tape, his announcement from the Symphony Hall stage that John F. Kennedy had been assassinated.
Hear all about Erich Leinsdorf, part one (13:48)
In part two of this Leinsdorf retrospective, the conductor explains why he chose the then little-known Mozart Requiem for JFK's memorial service. Plus, he tells Brian how to reduce a three-hour opera to 30 minutes, and friends and colleagues consider the significant legacies of his tenure as BSO music director.
Hear all about Erich Leinsdorf, part two (13:31)
Hear all about Erich Leinsdorf, part one (13:48)
In part two of this Leinsdorf retrospective, the conductor explains why he chose the then little-known Mozart Requiem for JFK's memorial service. Plus, he tells Brian how to reduce a three-hour opera to 30 minutes, and friends and colleagues consider the significant legacies of his tenure as BSO music director.
Hear all about Erich Leinsdorf, part two (13:31)
