Renewal Leonard Bernstein Memorial Room
Leonard Bernstein Memorial Room
Construction of the Leonard Bernstein Memorial Room began along with the remodeling of the Forest Chapel.
Bernstein is known worldwide as one of the great conductors of the 20th Century, and as the composer of the musical West Side Story.
He also served as the first artistic director of the Pacific Music Festival (PMF), which is held each summer in Hokkaido. Bernstein stayed at the Hotel Nidom Villa (now the Forest Chapel) in June of 1990.
He was already battling illness at that time, but after a week of resting his body and soul here in the forest at the Nidom, he was able to raise his baton to conduct at the PMF.
The late maestro once said, “Nidom means peace and freedom; it brought me alive,” and he even composed a “Hymn to Nidom” as an expression of his gratitude.
Now, the Nidom has become a kind of musical holy ground, attracting prominent conductors and musicians from across the world. The Pacific Music Festival Supporters Association holds annual events including talks and performances in the Forest Chapel, which houses the Bösendorfer piano that Bernstein played while composing at the Villa, as well as viewings of photographs taken of Bernstein during his stay.
We hope you will visit the Memorial Room during your stay at the Nidom, and experience the rich history of Leonard Bernstein’s musical life.