Louis and Dr. Barbara Bernstein are active supporters of Symphony Space. Lou, an attorney in New York, an exceptional tickler of the ivories can be seen - heard - holding forth at the piano during the annual Park Avenue Synagogue Purim Spiel. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

Symphony Space brings an amazing range of cultural events to Manhattan’s Upper West Side, priding itself on the presentation of programs that are “innovative and exciting.”  Performances at its 95^th Street and Broadway location range from its signature “wall to wall” free musical events to more traditional concerts and recitals.  Its educational cohort brings musicians to schools throughout New York City, through its Global Arts program.  Over 150,000 people participate in Symphony Space events each year.

Symphony Space honored iconic journalist Morley Safar, correspondent for 60 minutes since 1970 with its Access to the Arts Award.  The multi award-wining Safar adds this honor to his Emmys, Peabody Awards, Kennedy Journalism Awards, Paul White Award, nomination as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Art et des Lettres given by the government of France and many other recognitions.

The Access to the Arts presentation recognizes the many interviews of cultural significance he has conducted with personalities in the world of music and arts throughout the last forty years.  The Canadian born Safer, a son of an Austrian Jewish immigrant family in Toronto, Ontario, began his career as a newspaper reporter in Canada and England.  He joined CBS in London in 1964, opened its Saigon bureau during the height of the Vietnam War and was one of the first Western reporters to travel with the US military and broadcast the horrors of that conflict.

Safar is married to the former Jane Fearer, lives in Manhattan and has one daughter.

Honoree Morley Safar regaled an appreciative audience with reminiscences and anecdotes and a moment of memory, recalling "my boss, Mike Wallace." Photo: Maxine Dovere.

Honoree Morley Safar regaled an appreciative audience with reminiscences and anecdotes and a moment of memory, recalling "my boss, Mike Wallace." Photo: Maxine Dovere.