Many know him as a Bostonian; others, as a New Yorker.
Here in the Merrimack Valley, however, we know the late Leonard Bernstein first was a Lawrencian.
The world-famous composer born and raised for part of his childhood in Lawrence now is the subject of a seasonlong tribute for the Boston Pops' 123rd season. The first concert is tomorrow at Boston Symphony Hall.
"He was really the first American classical music conductor to be popular on a lot of fronts," said Keith Lockhart, who will conduct the orchestra's concerts.
"He's one of the great classical American composers of the 20th century," Lockhart said. "He wrote a couple of symphonies and he wrote 'West Side Story,' one of the most groundbreaking musicals ever."
Lockhart said the Pops decided to do the tribute to mark the 90th anniversary of Bernstein's birth. He was born in Lawrence on Aug. 25, 1918.
The affable Bernstein was a role model to Lockhart — for generations of conductors, actually.
Lockhart regrets he never had the chance to meet him.
"One of the reasons he was a model for all the rest of us American conductors — he could talk to anybody about music, from a Ph.D. to a truck driver, and help them find something to love in classical music," Lockhart said.
The Bernstein tribute concerts will feature excerpts from the ballet "Fancy Free" and the film score from "On the Waterfront," as well as selections from his Broadway musicals "On the Town," "Candide," "Wonderful Town," and "West Side Story," featuring rising stars from The Boston Conservatory.
"Things like 'West Side Story' are 50 years old; they have become American classics. That is, his music and his legacy have survived him," Lockhart said. "A whole lot of us conductors will be forgotten a decade after we stop conducting. But Bernstein, because of his contributions, really lives on."
During the tributes, montages of Bernstein's work will be shown.
"I never had a chance to meet the man, but every American conductor feels like they owe him a debt, whether they studied with him or not," Lockhart said.
Leonard Bernstein tributes
r What: Boston Pops orchestra playing Leonard Bernstein tributes directed by Keith Lockhart and featuring vocalists from The Boston Conservatory.
r Where: Boston Symphony Hall.
r When: Friday, May 9, 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 10, 3 p.m.; Saturday, May 10, 8 p.m.; Tuesday, June 3, 8 p.m.; Friday, June 6, 8 p.m.
r How:Tickets are $19 to $100. Call SymphonyCharge, 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200 Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; visit Symphony Hall box office 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. until showtime, 301 Mass. Ave.; or online at www.bostonpops.org. Call 617-266-1492 or visit www.bostonpops.org.
