Entitled Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds , the festival celebrating both the 90th anniversary of Bernstein’s birth and the 50th anniversary of his appointment as the Philharmonic’s music director will feature over 30 events from Sept. 24-Dec. 13, 2008.

In a statement Carnegie Hall’s executive and artistic director Clive Gillinson said, “All of us at Carnegie Hall are very proud to be presenting — jointly with his great orchestra, the New York Philharmonic — this special celebration of Leonard Bernstein. Lenny appeared on Carnegie Hall’s stage more than 400 times in his career, with audiences experiencing his talents as performer, composer, and master educator.

Well beyond our walls, he inspired an entire generation, bringing music to the center of people’s lives all around the world. A celebration of Lenny is a celebration of life and a celebration of music. His love of life and of music, allied to his insatiable curiosity, inspired everyone, informing our appreciation and understanding of music for a lifetime.

We look forward to joining our partners in placing special focus on someone who was not only a remarkable artist and a great New Yorker, but also someone who truly belonged to the world. Lenny was music!” New York Philharmonic president and executive director Zarin Mehta added, “Leonard Bernstein’s New York Philharmonic legacy is like no other.