PBS. American Masters - Leonard Bernstein. Reaching for the Note (1998)

The definitive look at the outstanding life and career of Leonard Bernstein, world-renowned composer, conductor, pianist and educator. This film and moving celebration conveys a fully rounded portrait of Bernstein’s complex life--from his debut conducting performance for the New York Philharmonic in 1943 to his historic and electrifying performance at the fall of the Berlin Wall; from his Broadway experiences to his finale at Tanglewood. Filled with archival footage including concert films, home movies and clips from Broadway hits West Side Story and On the Town, the film showcases the many talents of Bernstein. Also featuring interviews with Bernstein’s brother and three children as well as some of his closest collaborators including Jerome Robbins, Stephen Sondheim and Isaac Stern and fellow conductors Michael Tilson Thomas, John Mauceri and Seiji Ozawa. Reaching for the Note shows Lenny in all his glory, doing what he did best--inspiring musicians and making music come alive. A Film by Susan Lacy ; A Co-Production of Thirteen/WNET with Unitel and NHK with Channel Four