Two days after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Leonard Bernstein lead the New York Philharmonic in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony #2 (Resurrection) in tribute to the fallen president. The concert aired live in CBS. For the first time since 1963, the New York Philharmonic is making this concert available for viewing. It will be available for a period of 24 hours beginning Thursday, April 30th at 7:30 PM EDT/4:30 PM PDT. You will be able to see Bernstein Conducts Mahler 1963 here.
Beyond the tragedy of Kennedy’s death what makes this concert important historically is that this was the first time the symphony had been performed live on television. While there had been discussions of performing Brahms’ Requiem, the New York Phil had already been rehearsing the Mahler symphony.
Joining the New York Philharmonic for this concert were soloists Lucina Amara (soprano), and Jennie Tourel (mezzo-soprano).
With this performance a tradition of performing Mahler’s works at times of great mourning began. Bernstein would later lead the New York Phil in a performance of the Adagietto from Mahler’s 5th Symphony for Robert Kennedy’s funeral. Pierre Boulez did the same in honor of President Eisenhower after his death. Alan Gilbert performed the 2nd Symphony at a concert for the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedies.
A day after this performance, Bernstein was at fundraiser for the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York. Instead of being the fundraiser as planned, it become a memorial for Kennedy. Amongst Bernstein’s comments that night were the following:
“There were those who asked: Why the Resurrection Symphony, with its visionary concept of hope and triumph over worldly pain, instead of a Requiem, or the customary Funeral March from the Eroica? Why indeed? We played the Mahler symphony not only in terms of resurrection for the soul of one we love, but also for the resurrection of hope in all of us who mourn him. In spite of our shock, our shame, and our despair at the diminution of man that follows from this death, we must somehow gather strength for the increase of man, strength to go on striving for those goals he cherished. In mourning him, we must be worthy of him.”
Remember, Bernstein Conducts Mahler 1963 will only be available for 24 hours beginning April 30th.
Photo of Leonard Bernstein courtesy of The Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc.