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Leonard Bernstein

Born: August 25, 1918

Died: August 24, 1990

Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein was born to a Russian Jewish family in Lawrence, Massachusetts. His grandmother insisted he be called Louis, however his parents liked Leonard better, and always called him Leonard. At the age of fifteen, he officially changed his name to Leonard. He was an accomplished composer, conductor, pianist, author, and music lecturer, having won many Emmy Awards and Academy Awards throughout his career. Among the first world-renowned musicians to have been born and educated in the United States, he is remembered for his conducting the New York Philharmonic, the Young People's Concert series, and the theater works including West Side Story, Candide, and On the Town. He was the first of his ilk to appear on television, and with his exceptional piano skill was an imposing figure in American music history.

Leonard Bernstein as a young man

His father was originally against Leonard's interest in music. However, he would take Leonard to orchestra concerts, where he learned to love the piano. He then began to take piano lessons at the Garrison School and the Boston Latin School.

Bernstein younger

Following his gradution from Boston Latin School, Leonard attended Harvard University, studying music with Walter Piston, the author of many harmony and counterpoint textbooks. He also had experience with the Harvard Glee Club. After Harvard came study at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he received the only A in composing that Fritz Reiner ever gave in the class!

During his adult life in New York City, Leonard Bernstein was vivacious and high-spirited. After an on-again and off-again engagement, he finally married Felicia Montealegre Cohn on September 9, 1951 among suspicions that he wanted to secure a conducting position at Boston Symphony Orchestra. Leonard and Felicia ended up having three children, Jamie, Alexander, and Nina.

Bernstein in charge

From 1940 - 1990 Bernstein wowed audiences with his powerful performances of the works of Britten and Ives, recorded Mahler's works, wrote and performed for television, did specials for PBS, and even wrote a piece to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall!
He recorded extensively throughout his career, and particularly from the 1950's until a few months before his death. A 10-disc recording of his works was released by Sony BMG in August 2008.

At the end of his life

On August 19, 1990 Leonard Bernstein conducted his last performance; the Boston Symphony were playing Benjamin Britten's "Four Sea Interludes" and Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, when a coughing jag in the middle of the Beethoven piece nearly shut down the program. He died five days later of pneumonia and a pleural tumor.

Leonard Bernstein conducting

He was very highly regarded among musicians, and especially among the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra where he holds an honorary membership. He is president of the London Symphony Orchestra. He was often guest conductor of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. He was particularly accomplished with his own compositions, as well as those of the contemporary American composers. He influenced many conductors who are performing now and will be remembered as one of America's greats!

Leonard Bernstein

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