On Air Now
Cowan's Classics with Rob Cowan 7pm - 9pm
New York Philharmonic: They gave Leonard Bernstein his big break
This image appears in the gallery:
13 moments that made the world's greatest orchestras even greater
6. New York Philharmonic: They gave Leonard Bernstein his big break
The 25-year old Bernstein, pictured second from right, was the orchestra's Assistant Conductor in November 1943 when he had to step in at short notice for the unwell Bruno Walter. Bernstein's unrehearsed performance amazed the crowd and the players, and was broadcast live to the nation. The New York Times published a front-page story about it and Bernstein became a top-flight conductor overnight. Photo: AP
