Leonard Bernstein:  A Julia de Burgos

Leonard Bernstein: A Julia de Burgos

From his 1977 song cycle Songfest, “A Julia de Burgos” uses the text of poet Julia de Burgos. Jack Gottlieb describes the cycle terrifically: Originally commissioned to be a work in celebration of the American Bicentennial Year (1976), Songfest could not...
Leonard Bernstein:  A Julia de Burgos

Leonard Bernstein: A Julia de Burgos

Of all of Bernstein’s vocal works, the one I love most is “Songfest.” It was originally intended to premiere during the Bicentennial year, but Bernstein was not able to finish it in time. As a result he had to relinquish the commission. Yet he felt strongly impelled...