Friends of the Library Book Review event In-Person
On Friday, October 4, Maestro Gerardo Edelstein, music director/conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, will review Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein by Jamie Bernstein.
The memoir written by Bernstein’s oldest daughter Jamie offers insight into her father Leonard Bernstein’s life as a revered composer and conductor. He composed On the Town and West Side Story and was chief conductor of the New York Philharmonic, as well as a friend of the powerful and influential, and the life of every party.
Bernstein’s beautifully written memoir is a great American story about one of the greatest Americans of the modern age. Bernstein explores the emotional depths of her childhood and shares her family’s private world, including glimpses into her father’s relationships with influential and powerful friends, such as the Kennedys, John Lennon, Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins, and Lauren Bacall. One Vanity Fair reviewer states that the book is, “…an intimate look at the famous, and famously private, musician, whose 7 Emmys only begin to scratch the surface of his musical achievements.” This memoir helped inspire the movie Maestro, starring Bradley Cooper.
Maestro Edelstein, a native of Argentina, is beginning his 14th year as music director/conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra. He is also director of orchestral studies, music director of the Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras and artistic director of the Penn’s Wood Music Festival at Pennsylvania State University. In addition, Maestro Edelstein has extensive experience conducting symphony orchestras, choirs, ballet and opera productions in Europe, Asia, South America and the United States. Audiences, musicians and press alike continuously praise him for his sensitive, charismatic and energetic performances.
The review begins at 12:15PM in the Lowry Room of the Welch Family Wing of the James V. Brown Library with a Q&A from 12:45-1:00PM. Complimentary snacks and bottled water will be available. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch. Reservations are required due to space considerations. Please call the library at 570-326-0536 or use the library’s online reservation calendar (calendar.jvbrown.edu) before 3:00PM on Wednesday, October 2. Parking is available in the public lot off Market Street, adjacent to the Welch Wing.