伯恩斯坦的指揮極具感染力。曾有位音樂家說：「每次當伯恩斯坦站在指揮台上指揮時，他讓我回想起當初我為何要成為一位音樂家。」無論是綵排或是正式演出，伯恩斯坦每次指揮都是如斯激昂及全情投入。

Bernstein’s conducting is contagious. Once a musician said, “When he [Bernstein] gets up on the podium, he makes me remember why I wanted to become a musician.” No matter it was a rehearsal or an official performance, Bernstein’s conducting was as passionate and devoted every time.