If Only Lenny Were Here

This 13-minute song cycle for baritone and piano is an homage to Leonard Bernstein for the centennial celebration of his life. Arias and Barcarolles was Bernstein's last composition. The final movement of that work is a wordless "Nachspiel." This cycle begins and ends with a nod to that work...conjuring the spirit of Lenny for the performance and then reflecting on his life and words at the end. Art's place in society always comes into question, especially during tense political and social times. But for every unanswered question, it seems that Bernstein always had an answer.