My Twelve Tone Melody | |
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by Leonard Bernstein | |
Composed | 1988 |
Performed | 11 May 1988 New York City : |
"My Twelve Tone Melody" is a 1988 composition by Leonard Bernstein written in tribute to Irving Berlin in celebration of Berlin's 100th birthday. [1] It was performed by Bernstein at the concert to celebrate Berlin's birthday at Carnegie Hall in May 1988. [1]
The piece was poorly received by Berlin's family at the concert, Bernstein's biographer, Joan Peyser, described it as a "dour, mean little piece" and that the piece could be interpreted as a "shot fired in a battle" between "late twentieth-century masters". [2] Bernstein was the only performer at the concert not to perform one of Berlin's compositions. [3]
The piece is written in the twelve-tone technique and adapts Berlin's songs " Always" and " Russian Lullaby". Bernstein remembered "Russian Lullaby" from his youth. [1]
The piece is two minutes in length. [1] [4]