HOME

NEWS & EVENTS

BIOGRAPHY


FILMOGRAPHY

DISCOGRAPHY

TELEVISION

OTHER WORKS

MERCHANDISE

RELATED LINKS

CONTACT


|
| News Archives:
·
·
|
20001 Archive:


Maestro Elmer Bernstein was honored November 8th by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in celebration of his 50th Anniversary of film scoring. Carl Reiner emceed the evening that included a variety of hosted segments covering drama, westerns, comedy, jazz, epic and a special section featuring his projects with Martin Scorsese.
Among those who addressed the SRO audience were directors John Landis ("Animal House," "An American Werewolf in London" and "Trading Places," among others), Carl Franklin ("Devil in a Blue Dress"), actor James Coburn ("The Magnificent Seven"), producer Noel Pearson ("My Left Foot," "The Field"), musician and film composer Terence Blanchard (commenting on the jazz scores such as "The Man with the Golden Arm" and "Walk on the Wild Side," among others). Also included with those saluting Mr. Bernstein were Cece Presley, granddaughter of Cecil B. DeMille (Mr. DeMille defied the gray list and hired Bernstein for "The Ten Commandments") and actress Winona Ryder, who, in addition to relaying her experience with Bernstein and his music for "The Age of Innocence," read a letter of tribute by director Martin Scorsese. (Click here for the complete text of Scorsese's tribute).
 Clips from many of his more than 200 film and television scores were shown, followed by a warm and humorous onstage chat with friend and event host Reiner, an Academy member who saluted the success of the evening by leaving his $3.00 as he and the Maestro departed the stage.
Photos courtesy Long Photography, with permission by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, in conjunction with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences November 8, hosts a month-long film festival at the museum beginning Friday, November 9 and continuing consecutive Friday and Saturday evenings through December 1.
The festival, the work for which was begun three years ago, features a variety of films, ranging from epic to drama to comedy to jazz, and will feature various speakers throughout the program.
Mr. Bernstein will make an appearance November 10 to address the audience about his collaboration with director Martin Scorsese. "We are extremely pleased with the variety of films secured for this program and the caliber of lecturers," states LACMA film department director Ian Birnie. "We were successful in booking every film we requested," he adds.
For a complete schedule of films, click here. For more details, including guest speakers and times, log onto www.lacma.org or call the Los Angeles County Museum of Art at (323) 857-6100.

Elmer Bernstein received the Composer/Arranger Award Sunday, October 28 at the 19th Annual Jazz Tribute and Awards Dinner-Concert held at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
Citing his pioneering work resulting in the firm establishment of the use of jazz in film scores, first in 1955 with the ground-breaking The Man With the Golden Arm, followed by, among others, Walk on the Wild Side and Sweet Smell of Success, keynote speaker Arthur Hamilton stated, "His music has stirred you, excited you, inspired you, amused you and kept close company with you, your family, and your family's familyno matter where you live in the world." (Click here for Mr. Hamilton's complete introductory speech.)
The Los Angeles Jazz Society honor is one of the many honors
and tributes recognizing a distinguished career that continues with original film composition, conducting and teaching, both in the U.S. and internationally.

   Click here for the complete article from Soundtrack magazine (Vol. 20/No. 79) Fall 2001 issue.

The Maestro Takes Tea, Crumpets and the Baton
August 14 at Royal Albert Hall, London
Elmer Bernstein has been invited as guest composer-conductor to
lead the
BBC Orchestra on August 14, 2001 at the venerable BBC Promenade ("the
Proms")
Concert Series. In addition to conducting his own acclaimed scores
(click
here for program), he has been invited to conduct the works of several
composers whose work had an influential effect on his career as a film
composer, including mentor Aaron Copeland. "Exiled Composers" is the
theme
of the series. Many of the composers honored that evening fled Europe
as a
result of the escalation of anti-Semitism and subsequent pogrom of
Jewish
intellectuals.
"As I was the first generation of my family to be born and raised
in
America, my first earliest cultural influences were quite naturally
European
and I am very proud to have been selected for this particular program,"
said
Bernstein.

by Don Heckman
The Henry Mancini Institute has announced this schedule for its annual
series
of three concertsthis year at the Wadsworth Theatre in West Los
Angelesfeaturing various guest artists with the HMI Orchestra.
Charlie
Haden's Quartet West will perform on July 26 followed by Bob
Brookmeyer,
Elmer Bernstein and John Dankworth on August 4 and Regina Carter, John
Clayton and Jerry Goldsmith on August 11. --Los Angeles Times, Friday, May 18, 2001

An offer from Elmer Bernstein that is music to your ears! Three distinctly different musical offerings are presented to you. And at present, a limited number of each of these CDs, autographed by the Maestro, is available.
Elmer Bernstein by Elmer BernsteinThemes from thirteen memorable films composed and conducted by Bernstein with the Royal Pops Orchestra, including "Man With The Golden Arm," "My Left Foot," "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Grifters."
Concerto for Guitar and OrchestraFor Two ChristophersGuitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening performs with the London Symphony Orchestra. It is a must have for the connoisseur of classical guitar. Read the reviews...
Music for the Films of Charles and Ray EamesVolume IThe incomparable Eames films scored over a period of thirty years, including
"Toccata for Toy Trains."
Along with the Elmer Bernstein Shopping Cart (conveniently located in the Merchandise section of this website), is a newly expanded and revised Biography section, featuring a scrapbook of classic, archival, candid and contemporary images of the Maestro. Also included are various quotes both by and about Mr. Bernstein, as well as archival interview material.

Composer Receives Founders Award at
Beverly Hills Black Tie Gala
Elmer Bernstein received the highest honor bestowed by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) at a gala dinner held April 24, 2001 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Hosted by Academy Award-winning lyricist, President and Chairman of ASCAP, Marilyn Bergman, The Maestro was personally saluted by composer David ("Laura") Raksin, lyricist Johnny Mandel, directors Edward Norton and Bill Duke. Composer James Newton Howard gave the moving keynote address. Upon accepting the award, Bernstein noted, "While recently in Spain following conducting a concert in Barcelona, I was quietly contemplating the true meaning of my work at a quaint, outdoor country cafe. At that moment, a little girl put a coin in a mechanical horse that began to play my theme from 'The Magnificent Seven.' It was an epiphany."

Elmer Bernstein's "Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra for Two Christophers" featuring Christopher Parkening, which had its world premiere in Hawaii earlier this year, is now available on Angel/EMI. More.... Read the reviews.

On March 23 and 24, 2001, Elmer Bernstein conducted two concerts of his
music in L'Auditori, Barcelona, Spain. L'Auditori, a concert hall inaugurated
during the Olympic Games in 1992, had not one single vacant for these
concerts: the response was massive and people came from all corners of Spain,
as well as from abroad.
Mr. Bernstein arrived a few days before for rehearsals. On Friday 23, he
cancelled the last rehearsal, saying that he was fully satisfied with the OBC
(The National Orchestra of Catalonia and of the City of Barcelona). His
consideration was justified: both concerts gained the best acceptance of the
public.
The program included the main themes from The Great Escape, The
Magnificient Seven, The Sons of Katie Elder, The Man with the Golden Arm,
Walk on the Wild Side, Heavy Metal, as well as extensive suites from Hawaii,
To Kill a Mockinbird, The Ten Commandments and The Age of Innocence. Also, he
played Hollywood and the Stars (from the TV-documentary series) and the less
known The View from Pompey's Head.
It was, in all senses, two successful evenings. Mr. Bernstein gave full
explanations of his music, even trying to speak in Spanish, and demonstrated
that he has an enviable energy.
I had the opportunity to have supper with Mr. Bernstein and his wife on
Thursday 22. We took them to a restaurant in the old district of Barcelona
(the most visited by tourists), and through three hours we enjoyed a
delightful company, talking about film music, Hollywood in the Golden Years,
his perception of music nowadays... and a long etcetera.
I must say that Mr. Bernstein is a real gentleman. A kind man with a
golden heart. Fortunately for us, he'll be back next year in Barcelona. We're
waiting for him with our arms open. L'Auditori, a concert hall inaugurated
during the Olympic Games in 1992, had not one single vacant for these
concerts: the response was massive and people came from all corners of Spain,
as well as from abroad. --Concert report by Conrado Xalabarder
Legendary Composer Surprises S.R.O. Audience
by Taking Up the Baton
Composer Elmer Bernstein thrilled the Dallas Symphony Orchestra audience with a surprise appearance as conductor for a suite from his score to The Magnificent Seven.
"The audience was clearly wowed, however, when Mr. Bernstein himselfregarded by insiders as the greatest film composer of the second half of the century just pasthustled onstage to conduct a rousing suite from this score
to "The Magnificent Seven." --The Dallas Morning News, January 8, 2001
The audience exploded into a spontaneous standing ovation at the conclusion of
the suite.
The Dallas appearance was the first of many such appearances and honors scheduled for 2001, marking his Fiftieth Anniversary of composing music for feature films, a first in the motion picture industry.
Elmer Bernstein has extended his European appearance schedule to conduct an al fresco concert on August 24 with the Sinfonia de Galicia in La Coruna, Spain.
In addition to attracting many of Europe's most accomplished musicians,
Sinfonia de Galicia also includes many expatriate American performers. In addition to a program of his original film compositions, Elmer will also conduct works by Rozsa, Korngold and Steiner. Viva la musica, viva los musicos y viva El Maestro!

Elmer Bernstein's
50th Anniversary of Film Scoring is Honored with 31-Film Festival in May
Click here for details and a complete schedule of events.
Subjects as diverse as Bernstein's early years and graylisting, work with
directors from Cecil B. deMille to Martin Scorsese, collaboration with
avant-garde designers Charles and Ray Eames and seeing the Beatles at the
Hollywood Bowl are interpersed with the sounds of many of the classic
Bernstein scores.
Award winning film composer, Elmer Bernstein, will be making a rare appearance at the Eames Office Gallery and Store in Santa Monica, CA, on
Sunday, December 3rd, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. More...

There are plans in the making for Mr. Bernstein to conduct concerts in Germany in 2001 following the Barcelona concert and in Japan in the spring of 2002.

Film Music Review has picked "Elmer Bernstein: Music from the Films of Charles & Ray Eames" as their Best CD of the Month for July. To Read the complete review, click here.

Mr. Bernstein has been commissioned by private citizen Dr. David Fulton, philanthropist and music lover, to create an original composition for string quartet. The date of the first performance has not yet been announced.

July 26, 2000 | Click here for the entire interview.

Warsaw, Poland. On May 25, 2000, Mr. Bernstein was guest conductor with the Warsaw Sinfonia Varsovia in a concert of his own film compositions. He was joined in two of the jazz-oriented pieces, The Man with the Golden Arm and Walk on the Wild Side, by world-renown trumpeter Chuck Mangione.

Mr. Bernstein is in the process of reviewing the first five releases of his widely acclaimed Film Music Collection for release on Amber Records. The first release, the Bernstein-Eames CD featuring music for the avant-garde films of Charles and Ray Eames, is among a series of Limited Edition compact discs highlighting previously unreleased original scores from these films. Each recording has been meticulously transferred from the finest available sources. Visit the Merchandise section to purchase this CD and vote for other Bernstein film scores you would like to have released on CD.


|
 |


Greg Bernstein on Elmer Bernstein
Greg Bernstein
Peter Bernstein on Elmer Bernstein
Peter Bernstein
Memorial Speech
James Newton Howard
In Memory
Denis Havard de la Montagne, Musica et Memoria
Film Festival Ghent pays tribute to Elmer Bernstein
Film Festival Ghent
Composer, honorary WFF advisory board member,
friend, mentor
Woodstock Film Festival
His life and his music
(French)
Francis Moury,
lecinéma.net
The music speaks for itself
Rusty White,
Entertainment Insiders
Elmer Bernstein: La Voz De Un Gigante
(Spanish)
Miguel Ángel Ordóñez,
Scoremagacine

"...I've been a fan of his music ever since the 1950's. I'd like to tell a
little tale about how I first noticed his film music." More...

Works by Elmer Bernstein and Alex North hold their own with 'Scheherazade' in the 'Hollywood Goes Orchestral' program.
Josef Woodward, Los Angeles Times

Elmer Bernstein's remarkable career Michael Tumelty, The Glasgow Herald.

As the birthday celebration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra approaches, Gary Dalkin interviews Mr. Bernstein for Amazon.co.uk.
Click here to read the interview.

In London to conduct his 80th birthday concert at the Royal Albert Hall, celebrated film composer Elmer Bernstein tells Colin Anderson about his career in movie music. Click here to read the What's On interview.

Elmer Bernstein sounded emotional notes of a complex American story Phillip Zonkel, Long Beach Press Telegram

Festival highlights include acclaimed composer Elmer Bernstein conducting the Florida West Coast Symphony Donna Hartman and Rod Harmon, Bradenton Herald

The 1967 musical lives again in the York Theatre Company's "Musicals in Mufti" production Michael Portantiere, TheaterMania.com

Composer Elmer Bernstein and the Scoring of CAPE FEAR David Morgan, WIDE ANGLE / CLOSEUP

ASCAP Founders Award: Elmer Bernstein
|

|