Leonard Bernstein sitting on the wall next to Werner Lywen discussing the next concert programs. "Lenny wanted to go up to the roof of the New York City Center because he didn't want to be disturbed and he new no one would disturb us there." explained Werner.
(photo: Leo Freidman)
{ View enlargement }

Werner on the left and Bernstein explaining something in the music score on the right. The photo is signed by Bernstein for Werner. He wrote "For Werner - with all Thanks and affections, Leonard, NYC 1945"
{ View enlargement }

On the Library of Congress website in the Leonard Bernstein Collection is also a photo of Bernstein with Leo Gomberg, Werner Gebauer and Werner Lywen at a rehearsal of the New York City Symphony at the City Center, September 1945.
{ View the photo }

During the intermission of a concert of Stravinsky music with Leonard Bernstein as Conductor and Werner Lywen as Concertmaster, they met to chat. In the photo Werner is on the left, Igor Stravinsky in the middle, and Leonard Bernstein on the right with Robert Shaw and other musicians behind him. (photo: Ben Greens)
{ View enlargement }

"On the left my friend, the great Conductor Erich Leinsdorf. This is Grand Central Station in New York City with Metropolitan Opera Special Trains", written by Werner on the back of this photo.
{ View enlargement }

Eugene Ormandy, the Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra at the left speaking with Werner during a rehearsal. Ormandy came as guest Conductor to the National Symphony in Washington D.C. to conduct a concert to raise money for the pension fund. Ormandy liked Werner very much as Concertmaster.
{ View enlargement }

A signed photo from the famous Conductor Bruno Walter that he gave to Werner. "Bruno Walter, in my opinion, was the greatest Conductor ever" said Werner. Bruno Walter came as guest Conductor to The National Symphony in Washington D.C. for a four week Brahms and Mozart cycle. He asked Werner and the principal cellist of the orchestra to play the Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. "That was a great honor" said Werner. Bruno Walter wrote below the photo in German, "Werner Lywen, in remembrance of many years of mutual musicmaking. Heartfelt, Bruno Walter, New York, March 1944".
{ View enlargement }

On the NC State University website is a photo of the National Symphony Orchestra with Howard Mitchell as Musical Director/Conductor and Werner Lywen as Concertmaster (circa 1960-1969).
{ View the photo }

After a concert of the National Symphony with Werner Lywen as soloist, his wife Jeri came and congratulated him and said "You did it again!".
{ View enlargement }

A press photo with Werner and his wife Jeri taken for the newspaper in Washington D.C. He was preparing for his solo appearance playing the Mendelsson Violin Concerto. (photo: Charles Baptie)
{ View enlargement }

Werner and his family in Washington D.C. in a photo taken for the Washington Post newspaper. Holding his hand is his daughter Jaqueline and in the arms of his wife Jeri is his new born daughter Jocelyn. On the floor in front is his beautiful German Shepard dog, Aladdin.
{ View enlargement }

Werner knew already at the age of eight that he wanted to be a violin virtuoso. At the age of twelve he started to study seriously with the famous violinist Prof. Karl Klingler and went to the State Academy for Music in Berlin.
{ View enlargement }

A full two page article was presented in the Fresno Bee on Saturday, May 29, 1999 to announce the 90th birthday of Werner Lywen: "Violinist Werner Lywen's music and his 90th birthday are classical reasons to celebrate". Under the photo: "Werner Lywen, who taught at Fresno State, is worthy of a throne after impressing classical music fans from coast to coast with his violin prowess." (photo by John Walker)
{ View enlargement }