The Seckerson Tapes: Lenny Bernstein's right-hand man, Craig Urquhart

Frank talk about living and working at the right hand of a musical superstar

Conductor Leonard Bernstein at the Royal Festival Hall, London
Craig Urquhart was Leonard Bernstein's personal assistant for the last five years of his life. In this touchingly frank interview he talks about the man he knew, the man he revered, the man who wanted to be all things to all people and who consistently pushed himself to the limit in the service of the music that drove him.

Craig_and_LennyClick here to listen to this episode

The Bernstein Project is a 10-month celebration of Leonard Bernstein - one of the most charismatic men of the 20th century. A composer and conductor who wrote poetry and loved science; a pop icon revered by audiences, critics and musicians alike, and a rebel who was embraced by the establishment. As well as concerts and talks, the Project has many events where you can get involved. Directed by conductor Marin Alsop, The Bernstein Project runs throughout Southbank Centre until July 2010.

Comments

Oh goody. Did Lenny ever repent his cringeworthy, embarrassing 1960's radical chic when he fawned and slobbered over the "Black Panthers." It must have been so exciting to watch at all those rich upper-class "whitey" women wet their knickers as they fantasized about the heretofore forbidden fruit. Were they up for the cause or what? A rebel without a clue, indeed. Though, like Lloyd Weber, he did write some catchy tunes.

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