In his new biopic Maestro, Bradley Cooper was determined not to imitate the legendary Leonard Bernstein. Instead, the actor worked with conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin to find his own rhythm. They spoke with Terry Gross about conducting, Bernstein's legacy, and playing with batons when they were kids. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
On the Ted Radio hour, linguist Ann Curzan says she gets a lot of complaints about people using the pronoun they to refer to one person.
I sometimes get into arguments with people where they will say to me, but it can't be singular.
And I will say, but it is.
The history behind words causing a lot of debate.
That's on the Ted radio hour from NPR.
This is FRESH AIR.
I'm Thierry Gross.
My guest Bradley Cooper directed, co wrote and stars in the new film Maestro.
He plays the internationally famous composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein.
Also with us is the internationally famous conductor who served as Cooper's conducting consultant, Yanik Nazeh Sagan.
He's the music and artistic director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, music director of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and principal conductor of the Orchestra Metropolitan de Montreal.
Bernstein is considered the first great american conductor.
He led the New York Philharmonic from 1957 to 69.
He wrote classical music.
His most popular music was the music he wrote for Broadway musicals, including on the Town, Wonderful Town, west side Story and Candide.
And the score for the film on the Waterfront.
Maestro is about his music life and his personal life.
He was a very public figure, appearing often on tv and leading the philharmonic in his young people's concerts.
A major part of his life was kept hidden from the public.
Although he was married to the actress Felicia Cohn Montalegra and they had three children together, he was bisexual or gay and had flirtations and boyfriends during the years he was married.