The
Composers
Leonard Bernstein
(1918-90)
Additional Links:
 Official
Leonard Bernstein Site
Leonard Bernstein Collection
Leonard
Bernstein Biography
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Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Bernstein was educated
at Harvard University and at the Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia.
He studied composition under Walter Piston and conducting under Fritz Reiner
and Serge Koussevitzky. In 1943 Bernstein made his conducting debut, leading
the New York Philharmonic Society Orchestra. Bernstein was music director
of the New York City Symphony (1945-1948), taught at the Berkshire Music
Center (1948- 1955) and at Brandeis University (1951-1956), and directed
the New York Philharmonic (1958- 1969). On his retirement in 1969 he was
made laureate conductor for life. For two generations he made Tanglewood
his second home, teaching classes in conducting and music appreciation.
He was conducting and creating music until his death in 1990.
Bernstein's works include, On the Town (1944), Wonderful Town
(1953), and West Side Story (1957). He also composed the operetta
Candide
(1956); the opera Trouble in Tahiti (1952), Chichester Psalms
(1965); the ballets Fancy Free (1944) and The Dybbuk Variations
(1974); Mass (1971). In 1985 he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement
Award. |
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