Bernstein’s love affair with Key West recalled in ‘Remembering Lenny’

The multimedia production of “Remembering Lenny,” will be held at 7 p.m. March 27-28, at the Studios of Key West, 533 Eaton St.

This event will be an evening devoted to composer Leonard Bernstein’s special relationship with Key West from a young composer in the 1940s to the iconic bon vivant of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

This part lecture, and musical performance will be presented by theater professionals who knew and worked with the maestro himself, and takes place during the year that would have been his 100th.

Across town, the Bernstein Centennial has been celebrated with live music performances, a cabaret, and other remembrances of one of the most notable regular visitors to the island.

“Lenny first came to Key West in 1941,” said Impromptu Concerts President George Korn, a driving force behind the production of “Remembering Lenny.” “Here he began work on his ‘Sonata for Clarinet and Piano,’ written during 1941-42 and published in 1942. It was Bernstein’s first published piece. I knew we had to have this performed during Impromptu’s 2018 season. It is being presented Sunday, March 25 at St. Paul’s Church at the finale of the Impromptu season.”

Noted composer and musicologist George Steel, a personal friend of Bernstein’s, will also talk about a composition the composer began in Key West in the ‘40s, a ballet called “Conch Town.”

While the piece was never was completed, Steel has reconstructed the work from Bernstein’s original sketches. The upcoming presentations of “Remembering Lenny” will conclude with the Key West premiere of “Conch Town”, performed by two pianists, on one piano.

The evening will be recorded for archival purposes as outlined in grants received by Impromptu Concerts specifically for this purpose.

Admission is free. However each evening is limited to 200 attendees. Reservations are required and are going fast.

They can be made by e-mailing a request with the name of each attendee and the email address of same, to Jim Burnett at [email protected].

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