Exhibition Schedule 2018- Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music - At The National Museum Of American Jewish History

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY  2018

Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music March 16 – September 2, 2018 Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music, organized by NMAJH, will celebrate the centennial birthday of one of the 20th century’s most influential cultural figures, who personified classical music and produced a rich repertoire of original compositions for orchestra and the theater. Audiences may be familiar with many of Bernstein’s works, notably West Side Story, but not necessarily how he grappled with his own religious, political, and sexual identity, or how he responded to the political and social crises of his day. Visitors will find an individual who expressed the restlessness, anxiety, fear, and hope of an American Jew living through World War II and the Holocaust, Vietnam, and turbulent social change – what Bernstein referred to as his “search for a solution to the 20th‐century crisis of faith.” The exhibition will focus on his Jewish identity and social activism in the context of his position as an American conductor and his works as a composer. It will feature one‐of‐a‐kind historic artifacts, from Bernstein’s personal effects to rich photography and original writings and scores in Bernstein’s hand, all brought to life through immersive film, sound installations, and interactive media. Image: Young Leonard Bernstein at the piano. Courtesy of the Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc. Leonard Bernstein: The Power of Music has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

About the National Museum of American Jewish History The National Museum of American Jewish History, located on historic Independence Mall in Philadelphia, brings to life the more than 360-year history of Jews in America.  Tracing the stories of how Jewish immigrants became Jewish Americans, the Museum invites visitors of all backgrounds to share their own stories and reflect on how their histories and identities shape and are shaped by the American experience. An open door for all, NMAJH honors the past and contributes to a better future by sharing the power of imagination and ideas, culture and community, leadership and service, in ways that turn inspiration into action. The National Museum of American Jewish History is located at 101 South Independence Mall East at the corner of Fifth and Market Streets in Philadelphia. Museum hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm. NMAJH is closed most Mondays, including federal holidays and some Jewish holidays. Museum admission is $12.00 for adults, $11.00 for senior citizens and youth, free for children 12 and under, Museum Members, and active military with ID. Connect with the Museum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. For more information, visit NMAJH.org or call 215.923.3811.