Leonard Bernstein: The Political Life Of An American Musician

From his dazzling conducting debut in 1943 until his death in 1990, Leonard Bernstein's star blazed brilliantly. This biography examines Bernstein's political life against the backdrop of Cold War America—blacklisting by the State Department in 1950, voluntary exile from the New York Philharmonic in 1951, signing a humiliating affidavit to regain his passport—and the factors that allowed his triumphant return to the orchestra. Seldes links Bernstein's concert-hall and musical-theatrical achievements and setbacks to his involvement with political causes, using FBI files and archival materials. The account deepens understanding of American culture and political power during the 20th century.