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| News Archives: 2000–1 · 2002–3 · 2003–4 |



2000–1 Archive:



Elmer Bernstein Honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences November 8, 2001
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.




Los Angeles County Museum of Art Celebrates Maestro Elmer Bernstein's 50th Anniversary with Month Long Film Festival
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.




The Los Angeles Jazz Society Honors Elmer Bernstein in Conjunction with his 50th Anniversary of Film Composition
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 family—no 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.




The Henry Mancini Institute Presents: Elmer Bernstein at the Wadsworth Theater

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



Elmer Bernstein Tapped as Guest Conductor for Famed BBC Proms Series
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.




All That Jazz
by Don Heckman
The Henry Mancini Institute has announced this schedule for its annual series of three concerts—this year at the Wadsworth Theatre in West Los Angeles—featuring 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




Elmer Bernstein Shopping Cart Opens
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 Bernstein—Themes 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 Orchestra—For Two Christophers—Guitar 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 Eames–Volume I—The 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.




Elmer Bernstein Honored by ASCAP—April 24, 2001
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."



Bernstein/Parkening "Guitar Concertos" Now Available
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.




Elmer Bernstein Live in Barcelona
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



Maestro Elmer Bernstein Wows Dallas
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 himself—regarded by insiders as the greatest film composer of the second half of the century just past—hustled 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 Extends European Appearance Schedule
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!




TCM Celebrates Oscar-Winning Composer
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.


Gary Calamar - Los Angeles KCRW - "Open Road" Interviews Elmer Bernstein, Sunday, May 6th at 9:00 PM PDT.
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.


Special Appearance at Eames Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
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...



Talks Underway Regarding Future Bernstein Concerts
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.



Amber Records First Release Named Best of the Month
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.



Commission for String Quartet
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.



Mr. Bernstein Interviewed at SoundtrackNet
July 26, 2000 | Click here for the entire interview.



Guest Conductor with the Warsaw Sinfonia Varsovia
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.



Bernstein's Amber Records Label Releases First in Series
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.




ARTICLES
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Elmer Bernstein (1922–2004)

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

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80th Birthday Tribute by Roger Hall
"...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...
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Bernstein's Guitar Concerto Presented at the Hollywood Bowl
Works by Elmer Bernstein and Alex North hold their own with 'Scheherazade' in the 'Hollywood Goes Orchestral' program.
Josef Woodward, Los Angeles Times
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Man with the Golden Touch
Elmer Bernstein's remarkable career
Michael Tumelty, The Glasgow Herald.
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The Man with the Golden Baton
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.
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Magnificent Elmer
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.
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Composer gave voice to "Mockingbird" score
Elmer Bernstein sounded emotional notes of a complex American story
Phillip Zonkel, Long Beach Press Telegram
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Sarasota Film Festival kicks off Jan 24...
Festival highlights include acclaimed composer Elmer Bernstein conducting the Florida West Coast Symphony
Donna Hartman and Rod Harmon, Bradenton Herald
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Composer Elmer Bernstein to Attend How Now, Dow Jones at the York
The 1967 musical lives again in the York Theatre Company's "Musicals in Mufti" production
Michael Portantiere, TheaterMania.com
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F-C-B-F Spells "Fear"
Composer Elmer Bernstein and the Scoring of CAPE FEAR
David Morgan, WIDE ANGLE / CLOSEUP
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ASCAP 2001 Film and Television Music Awards
ASCAP Founders Award: Elmer Bernstein


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