In a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Bradley Cooper discussed his latest project, “Maestro”, where he takes on the roles of writer, director, and star. Colbert commended Cooper on his amazing portrayal of Leonard Bernstein, not just capturing his look and sound, but also his physicality.
Cooper revealed that he spent years preparing for the role, immersing himself in videos of Bernstein conducting orchestras. One particular video of Bernstein conducting Mahler’s Second Symphony caught Cooper’s attention and he knew he had to include it in the movie. “It’s the only real piece in the movie where you see him conduct, and it’s six minutes and twenty seconds,” Cooper explained.
The actor’s love for conducting began in childhood, pretending to conduct along with animated shows like Tom and Jerry and Bugs Bunny. He even asked Santa Claus for a baton and spent countless hours conducting in his room. To perfect his conducting skills, Cooper worked with renowned music directors including Yannick Nézet-Séguin from the Philadelphia Orchestra and Gustavo Dudamel from the LA Phil. He even had the opportunity to observe the New York Philharmonic in action.
For the scene in “Maestro” featuring Cooper conducting in a cathedral, the actor had the privilege of performing with the London Symphony Orchestra. Cooper praised the musicians, calling them “unicorns” and marveling at their dedication to music from very young ages. The concertmaster even showed Cooper a picture of himself at the age of four, holding two wooden spoons as makeshift violins.
The conversation with Colbert also touched on Cooper’s co-star, Carey Mulligan, and her extraordinary portrayal of Felicia Bernstein, Leonard’s wife. Cooper expressed his admiration for Mulligan’s performance and mentioned that he had Carrie Mulligan in mind from the early stages of the project. He was able to witness her on stage during a one-woman show, and it felt like destiny for her to take on the role.
Cooper and Mulligan worked closely together to develop their characters and explore the complex dynamics of Lenny and Felicia Bernstein’s relationship. Cooper described their collaboration as a thrilling experience, where it didn’t feel like acting, but rather channeling the essence of the characters they portrayed.
Beyond the primary love story, “Maestro” also features encounters with other giants of the twentieth century, such as Aaron Copland and Jerome Robbins. Cooper shared that Copland was Bernstein’s best friend, and they had a close relationship throughout their lives. In a personal touch, Cooper cast his childhood friend, Brian Kugman, as Copland in the film.
As the interview concluded, Cooper mentioned his plans for Thanksgiving, which involved spending time with the Bernstein family. An extra connection to the project since they shot scenes in the Bernstein family’s actual house.
“Maestro” premiered in select theaters and will be available on Netflix starting December 20th. Bradley Cooper‘s multi-faceted portrayal of Leonard Bernstein has already garnered much praise, and audiences are eager to experience his interpretation of the legendary conductor.
