Leonard Bernstein (USA, 1918-1990)

Leonard Bernstein (b. Lawrence, MA, 25 August 1918; d. New York, 14 October 1990) was a conductor, composer, pianist, writer, exegete, and true American cultural icon. One of the twentieth century's greatest and most charismatic maestros, he was also exceptionally gifted at communicating to audiences and readers about what was going on in classical music.

He composed in all genres, with work that encompassed the classical Symphony No.3 "Kaddish", sacred Chichester Psalms, Broadway West Side Story, film score On the Waterfront, opera Trouble in Tahiti, pop, and light salon music. He often playfully and intentionally blurred the boundaries between styles, such in such works as Candide and his Mass.

The Bernstein family did not own a piano until Leonard was ten years old, and even... read more