Stuff the British Stole (2022)
S50E23 Leonard Bernstein's Kaddish Symphony
Episode Overview
Great Performances showcases Leonard Bernstein's Kaddish Symphony, recorded live at Highland Park’s Ravinia Festival. This remarkable presentation features Uniting Voices (formerly known as the Chicago Children’s Choir), the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of renowned conductor Marin Alsop, a protégé of Bernstein. The performance includes a blend of music and spoken word segments narrated by Jaye Ladymore, known for her role in “Chicago Med,” alongside soprano soloist Janai Brugger from Great Performances at the Met: Medea. Captured in July 2022, the symphony delves into profound themes of humanity, faith, and the complexities of divine existence.