On the Road and Off the Record with Leonard Bernstein: My Years with the Exasperating Genius

A celebratory, intimate, and detailed look at the public and private life of Leonard Bernstein written by his former assistant. Foreword by Broadway legend Harold Prince. Leonard Bernstein reeked of cheap cologne and obviously hadn't showered, shaved, or slept in a while. Was he drunk to boot? He greeted his new assistant with "What are you drinking?" Yes, he was drunk. Charlie Harmon was hired to manage the day-to-day parts of Bernstein's life. There was one additional responsibility: make sure Bernstein met the deadline for an opera commission. But things kept getting in the way: the centenary of Igor Stravinsky, intestinal parasites picked up in Mexico, teaching all summer in Los Angeles, a baker's dozen of young men, plus depression, exhaustion, insomnia, and cut-throat games of anagrams. Did the opera get written? For four years, Charlie saw Bernstein every day, as his social director, gatekeeper, valet, music copyist, and itinerant orchestra librarian. He packed (and unpacked) Bernstein's umpteen pieces of luggage, got the Maestro to his concerts, kept him occupied changing planes in Zurich, Anchorage, Tokyo, or Madrid, and learned how to make small talk with mayors, ambassadors, a chancellor, a queen, and a Hollywood legend or two. How could anyone absorb all those people and places? Because there was music: late-night piano duets, or the Maestro's command to accompany an audition, or, by the way, the greatest orchestras in the world. Charlie did it, and this is what it was like, told for the first time Celebrating Leonard Bernstein's Centenary With An Intimate And Detailed Look At The Public And Private Life Of The Maestro Written By His Former Assistant. Foreword By Broadway Legend Harold Prince. An Affectionate Portrait Of An Eminent Musician Who Was Driven By Demons. —kirkus Reviews Harmon’s Personable And Warm Account Of What It Was Like To Work For One Of The Twentieth Century’s Musical Giants Casts New Light On Bernstein And His World. —booklist This Multifaceted Perspective Gives Readers Plenty Of Salacious Gossip Paired With Insight Into Leonard Bernstein’s Remarkable Artistic Achievements Later In Life. —library Journal On The Road Is A Colorfully Written, Unforgettably Entertaining And Unputdownable Book, And Is Available Just In Time For Lb’s 100th Birthday. Unreservedly Recommended. —fanfare Magazine Leonard Bernstein Reeked Of Cheap Cologne And Obviously Hadn't Showered, Shaved, Or Slept In A While. Was He Drunk To Boot? He Greeted His New Assistant With What Are You Drinking? Yes, He Was Drunk. Charlie Harmon Was Hired To Manage The Day-to-day Parts Of Bernstein's Life. There Was One Additional Responsibility: Make Sure Bernstein Met The Deadline For An Opera Commission. But Things Kept Getting In The Way: The Centenary Of Igor Stravinsky, Intestinal Parasites Picked Up In Mexico, Teaching All Summer In Los Angeles, A Baker's Dozen Of Young Men, Plus Depression, Exhaustion, Insomnia, And Cut-throat Games Of Anagrams. Did The Opera Get Written? For Four Years, Charlie Saw Bernstein Every Day, As His Social Director, Gatekeeper, Valet, Music Copyist, And Itinerant Orchestra Librarian. He Packed (and Unpacked) Bernstein's Umpteen Pieces Of Luggage, Got The Maestro To His Concerts, Kept Him Occupied Changing Planes In Zurich, Anchorage, Tokyo, Or Madrid, And Learned How To Make Small Talk With Mayors, Ambassadors, A Chancellor, A Queen, And A Hollywood Legend Or Two. How Could Anyone Absorb All Those People And Places? Because There Was Music: Late-night Piano Duets, Or The Maestro's Command To Accompany An Audition, Or, By The Way, The Greatest Orchestras In The World. Charlie Did It, And This Is What It Was Like, Told For The First Time. Leonard Bernstein reeked of cheap cologne and obviously hadn't showered, shaved, or slept in a while. Was he drunk to boot? He greeted his new assistant with "What are you drinking?" Yes, he was drunk. Charlie Harmon was hired to manage the day-to-day parts of Bernstein's life. There was one additional responsibility: make sure Bernstein met the deadline for an opera commission. But things kept getting in the way: the centenary of Igor Stravinsky, intestinal parasites picked up in Mexico, teaching all summer in Los Angeles, a baker's dozen of young men, plus depression, exhaustion, insomnia, and cut-throat games of anagrams. Did the opera get written? For four years, Charlie saw Bernstein every day, as his social director, gatekeeper, valet, music copyist, and itinerant orchestra librarian. He packed (and unpacked) Bernstein's umpteen pieces of luggage, got the Maestro to his concerts, kept him occupied changing planes in Zurich, Anchorage, Tokyo, or Madrid, and learned how to make small talk with mayors, ambassadors, a chancellor, a queen, and a Hollywood legend or two. How could anyone absorb all those people and places? Because there was music: late-night piano duets, or the Maestro's command to accompany an audition, or, by the way, the greatest orchestras in the world. Charlie did it, and this is what it was like, told for the first time. A celebratory, intimate, and detailed look at the public and private life of Leonard Bernstein written by his former assistant. Foreword by Broadway legend Harold Prince. "Leonard Bernstein reeked of cheap cologne and obviously hadn't showered, shaved, or slept in a while. When he greeted his new assistant with, "What are you drinking?" the hapless hireling was certain that the maestro must be drunk as well. Charlie Harmon was hired to manage the day-to-day details of Bernstein's life. There was one additional responsibility: make sure Bernstein met the deadline for an opera commission. But things kept getting in the way: the centenary of Igor Stravinsky, intestinal parasites picked up in Mexico, teaching all summer in Los Angeles, a baker's dozen of young men, plus depression, exhaustion, insomnia, and cutthroat games of anagrams. Was the opera ever written? For four years, Charlie saw Bernstein every day--as his social director, gatekeeper, valet, music copyist, and itinerant orchestra librarian. He packed (and unpacked) Bernstein's umpteen pieces of luggage; got the Maestro to his concerts; kept him occupied while changing planes in Zurich, Anchorage, Tokyo, or Madrid, and learned how to make small talk with mayors, ambassadors, a chancellor, a queen, and a Hollywood legend or two. How could anyone absorb all those people and places? Because there was music: late-night piano duets, or the Maestro's command to accompany an audition, and, by the way, the greatest orchestras in the world. Charlie did it, and this is what it was like, told for the first time."-- Dust jacket "Leonard Bernstein reeked of cheap cologne and obviously hadn't showered, shaved, or slept in a while. Was he drunk to boot? He greeted his new assistant with, "What are you drinking?" Yes, he was drunk. Charlie Harmon was hired to manage the day-to-day parts of Bernstein's life. There was one additional responsibility- make sure Bernstein met the deadline for an opera commission. But things kept getting in the way- the centenary of Igor Stravinsky, intestinal parasites picked up in Mexico, teaching all summer in Los Angeles, a baker's dozen of young men, plus depression, exhaustion, insomnia, and cut-throat games of anagrams. Did the opera get written? For four years, Charlie saw Bernstein every day, as his social director, gatekeeper, valet, music copyist, and itinerant orchestra librarian. He packed (and unpacked) Bernstein's umpteen pieces of luggage, got the Maestro to his concerts, kept him occupied changing planes in Zurich, Anchorage, Tokyo, or Madrid, and learned how to make small talk with mayors, ambassadors, a chancellor, a queen, and a Hollywood legend or two. How could anyone absorb all those people and places? Because there was music- late-night piano duets, or the Maestro's command to accompany an audition, or, by the way, the greatest orchestras in the world. Charlie did it, and this is what it was like, told for the first time."--Provided by publisher The ad under "M" Indiana bound The rebbe in wolf's clothing The cabin fever ward Composers, conductors, a celebrated cellist, and a charred cork "Chich" and a concussion What universe is this? On your mark The maestro dines out At home in the parallel universe Princess Margaret can't go shopping Speaking Hebrew in only one lesson Souvenirs picked up on the road A touchy situation A day for distraction Far from Tanglewood "People like me for what I do, not for who I am" Name the nine muses! What takes nine months to gestate? The two (other) women in Leonard Bernstein's life A quiet place in a noisy, noisy world Houston "grand" opera The restorative greens of Tanglewood Bi-coastal blues "Why do I have to work so hard?" How pleads the defendant? Down for the count! Who's in charge here? Lifetime achievement = lifetime therapy I should stay here and work The ends of the earth C'mon, it'll be fun! And then what happened? An epilogue.