Elmer Bernstein has been nominated for his fourteenth Academy Award® for his critically acclaimed score for “Far From Heaven.” He heard the news from his oldest son, who informed him that he has the distinction of being the only person to be nominated in six consecutive decades. “Does that mean I’ve been around for awhile?” he queried. “I’m thrilled to be in such heady company.”
The film also received nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Julianne Moore), Best Original Screenplay (Todd Haynes) and Best Cinematography (Edward Lachman).
10th Annual San Louis Obispo Film Festival Anniversary Salutes Academy Award-winning Composer
Elmer Bernstein received the King Vidor Memorial Award for lifetime achievement at a black-tie gala ceremony Sunday, October 27th, 2002 at the historic Fremont Theatre in San Luis Obispo. As part of the evening’s festivities, a screening of “To Kill a Mockingbird” followed the award presentation.
The festival, headed by Mary Harris, also presented a recently-restored “Sweet Smell of Success” and “The Magnificent Seven” as part of its regular festival programming. James C. Katz, film producer and one of the world’s leading film restorers, presented the award to Elmer Bernstein.
For additional Festival programming, please call (805) 546-3456 or visit the Festival web site at http://www.slofilmfest.org.
Special 80th Birthday Celebration Features a Surprise "Encore"
Elmer Bernstein, who was invited by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to conduct a program of his own compositions at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday, October 9, 2002, had quite a surprise awaiting him following his scheduled encore of “The Great Escape.” […]
The Fall Program Features a Rare Viewing of James Jones' Adapation of "Some Came Running," Scored By Bernstein
On Sunday, October 6th, the National Film Theatre will honor Elmer Bernstein with a screening of the 1958 film, “Some Came Running,” and post-screening Q&A with Bernstein and protégé, British composer Cynthia Millar. […]
Q&A With Elmer Bernstein, Director Todd Haynes, and Composer Cynthia Millar Takes Place at the Conclusion of Film
“Far From Heaven,” featuring a score by Elmer Bernstein, has been chosen as the closing film of the 3rd Annual Woodstock Film Festival and will feature a Q&A following the screening Sunday, September 22. Director Todd Haynes will share the dais with Bernstein and protégé Cynthia Millar, who played piano in the score. […]
In their own inimitable style, they have drowned out rival supporters with their rousing rendiditons of Rule Britannia, the National Anthem and the theme from The Great Escape. […]
Academy Award-winning composer Elmer Bernstein and Fleetwood Mac Founder and drummer Mick Fleetwood were honored for lifetime achievement at this year’s Emerging Artists and Technology in Music (EATM) conference. On hand for panels and discussions at the conference that ran May 29–31 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, were Ark 21 Records CEO Miles Copeland, EMI Recorded Music senior vp Jay Samit, composer James Newton Howard, Universal Music Group/Universal Pictures president of film music Kathy Nelson and music executive Lou Mann. Bernstein was surprised and delighted when a birthday cake was wheeled out in his honor and a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday greeted him.
Last Thursday the El Circulo Theatre shined, as in its better days, with a full house. It was not the habitual concert crowd. Without a doubt, how comforting it was to listen to the untimed applause in an overflowing theatre.
The program introduced Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra by Elmer Bernstein accompanied by the Orquesta Sinfonica Provincial de Rosario with Sergio Puccini as guitar soloist. Read the entire review…
Bernstein to Conduct Concert of Films Scores from Past 50 Years
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra has invited Elmer Bernstein to return to Glasgow on May 10th to perform at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in honor of his 80th birthday.
“The RSNO and Elmer Bernstein have a long-standing relationship. We last performed together to celebrate his 75th Birthday, both in Glasgow and London back in 1997, and everyone at the RSNO has very affectionate memories of working with him. We therefore wish Mr. Bernstein a very happy 80th Birthday, and we all very much look forward welcoming our friend back in May,” stated Daniel Pollitt, press officer of RSNO.
Presentation Took Place April 18, 2002 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, California
Film composer Elmer Bernstein was the featured honoree at the University Women’s Author/Artist luncheon on April 18, 2002. The honor was originally begun in 1967 and annually honors and outstanding individual for his or her body of work and contributions to the community.
The luncheon was a highlight of the University Women’s yearly curriculum. It has established a highly regarded program in support of the institutional programs within the University of Judaism as well as furthering artistic, cultural and social awareness. It also supports scholarships and grants to the school’s College of Arts and Sciences, graduate programs and its Ziegler School of Rabbinical Studies, the only independent ordaining institution on the West Coast.
Previous honorees include David Hockney, Marilyn & Alan Bergman, Neil Simon and Helen Hayes.
City Proclamation and Honor Presented in Conjunction with The Newport Beach Film Festival’s Composer Symposium and “To Kill A Mockingbird” Screening
Elmer Bernstein Day was officially declared by Newport Beach Mayor Tod W. Ridgeway on Sunday, April 14, 2002. In a mayoral proclamation read at the conclusion of the screening of “To Kill A Mockingbird,” Bernstein’s legacy to the film industry, music and music education was cited. Three surprise visitors paying tribute to Bernstein were actors Mary (“Scout”) Badham, Phillip (“Jem”) Alford and the Academy Award®-winning art director of the film, Henry Bumstead.
The evening was also celebrated with a dinner at Big Canyon Country Club, hosted by Cece DeMille Presley, granddaughter of the legendary Cecil B. DeMille. Mr. DeMille, defying a tacit “graylist,” hired the Maestro to compose the score for “The Ten Commandments.”
On March 4, 2002 U.S. composer Elmer Bernstein received the very first World Soundtrack Lifetime Achievement Award at an intimate ceremony that took place at the London Residence of the Ambassador of Belgium to the UK, H.E. Mr. Lode Willems. Elmer Bernstein was expected in Ghent last fall to give a concert of his film music, and to receive the award. The tragic events of September 11 however made it impossible for him to attend the festival.
The World Soundtrack Award is a new initiative developed by the Flanders International Film Festival – Ghent aimed at the promotion, education, preservation and recognition of film music as a true art form. Well over 150 composers from around the world have already joined the World Soundtrack Academy. Click here for more information.
Back by Popular Demand, Elmer Bernstein to Conduct Exciting Program at Barcelona's L'Auditori, May 3, 4, 5, 2002
Elmer Bernstein, whose SRO performances of his work in March, 2001 were received with both popular and critical acclaim, has been invited back to conduct an array of his compositions. The concerts will be performed by the Orquestra Simfonica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya.
The 2002 program features several suites from various periods of his work, including “Kings of the Sun,” a frequently cited score, “The Great Escape” and “The Grifters.” Bernstein has also compiled a selection of waltzes from various films, including the Oscar®-nominated “The Age of Innocence,” and “Summer and Smoke,” and Oscar®-winner “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” “The waltz was born in Europe, and my European audiences seem to take great pleasure in these pieces, so it is a particular thrill for me,” states Bernstein.
A special section that showcases his ground-breaking, innovating use of jazz in films will include “Walk on the Wild Side, “Sweet Smell of Success,” and “Rage in Harlem.” And the program will conclude on a high note with selections from one of his specialties, the western.
Elmer Bernstein, who was invited by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to conduct a program of his own compositions at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday, October 9, 2002, had quite a surprise awaiting him following his scheduled encore of “The Great Escape.” 
… As the honours roll in, MICHAEL TUMELTY looks at Elmer Bernstein’s remarkable career for the 
On March 4, 2002 U.S. composer Elmer Bernstein received the very first World Soundtrack Lifetime Achievement Award at an intimate ceremony that took place at the London Residence of the Ambassador of Belgium to the UK, H.E. Mr. Lode Willems. Elmer Bernstein was expected in Ghent last fall to give a concert of his film music, and to receive the award. The tragic events of September 11 however made it impossible for him to attend the festival.
The World Soundtrack Award is a new initiative developed by the Flanders International Film Festival – Ghent aimed at the promotion, education, preservation and recognition of film music as a true art form. Well over 150 composers from around the world have already joined the World Soundtrack Academy.