Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 - October 14, 1990)

Born 100 years ago today, August 25, 1918, one of the most beloved and well-known musicians, composer and director, Leonard Bernstein will always be remembered for his variety of compositions, in a career that spanned 50 years. His Jewish lineage frequently is hinted in many of his works, such as his Symphony No 3 ‘Kaddish’, Haskiveinu for tenor, choir and organ, Halil and Symphony No 1, ‘Jeremiah.’ Bernstein was the first conductor to give a series of television lectures on classical music, starting in 1954 and continuing until his death.

Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts of Ukrainian Jewish parents, he attended Harvard University, studying, of course, music. His fame derived from his long tenure as the music director of the New York Philharmonic, from his conducting of concerts with most of the world's leading orchestras, As a composer he wrote in many styles encompassing symphonic and orchestral music, ballet, film and theatre music, choral works, opera, chamber music and pieces for the piano. Many of his works are regularly performed around the world, although none has matched the tremendously popular and critical success of West Side Story. Among his other successful compositions, one can mention his Mass in memory of John F. Kennedy, composed in a mixture of different styles, choral, jazz, rock and sacred. Besides the classic film score for West Side Story, he also wrote On the Waterfront, On the Town, Peter Pan, Candide, Fancy Free, Dybbuk. He also wrote a Missa Brevis and the well-known Chichester Psalms, besides lots of chamber music and other orchestral works. He also wrote two operas, Trouble in Tahiti and A Quiet Place.

He became a well-known figure in the United States through his series of fifty-three televised Young People’s Concerts for CBS, which were well attended and followed by everyone, young and old, and undoubtedly introduced classical music to thousands of people who would otherwise have ignored such immortal music. Bernstein had a special love for Gustav Mahler’s music. A long-time heavy chain-smoker, Leonard Bernstein died aged 72 on October 14, 1990.