He is one of the important contemporary composers of the USA: Who is Leonard Bernstein?
He is from a generation where the most important composers of US classical music were raised. He has successfully used musical colors from sources such as cowboy songs, Mexican dance tunes, and jazz music in his works. One of his sources of inspiration was religious Jewish music.
American conductor and composer. He is one of the well-known orchestra conductors of the 20th century. He was born on August 25, 1918, in Massachusetts. After graduating from the Latin School of Music in Boston, he attended Harvard University, studying composition and piano. After graduating from this school in 1939, he took conducting lessons from Fritz Reiner and orchestration from Randall Thompson for two years at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, pianist, music educator, author, and humanitarian. Considered to be one of the most important conductors of his time, he was the first American conductor to receive international acclaim. According to music critic Donal Henahan, he was "one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history". Bernstein was the recipient of many honors, including seven Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, sixteen Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Kennedy Center Honor.
He was appointed to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra by Arthur Rodzinski in 1943. When Bruno Walter was suddenly ill one night when he was going to conduct the orchestra as a guest conductor, he had to direct an orchestra for the first time and it was a great success. After that, he gained an international reputation by conducting many well-known orchestras of the USA and Europe.
Leonard Bernstein, besides being a conductor with a busy concert schedule, has become one of the most important contemporary composers in the USA. His first important work is the Jeremiah symphony he composed in 1942. Copland, like Blitzstein, is a descendant of the most important composers of contemporary US classical music. He has successfully used musical colors from sources such as cowboy songs, Mexican dance tunes, and jazz music in his works. In particular, he often gives place to harmonic ideas originating from jazz. One of his sources of inspiration was religious Jewish music. He is one of the main contemporary composers who produced works in this genre.
Leonard Bernstein expresses a completely stylized vitality in his works. Frequent rhythm changes give his music a free, upbeat air.
Works:
Jeremiah, 1943;
The Age of Anxiety, 1949,
Kaddish
Ballet:
Fancy-Free, 1944,
Fascimile, 1946,
Musical:
On the Town 1944,
Wonderful Town, 1953,
Candide, 1956;
West Side Story, 1957
Book:
The Joy of Music, 1959,
The Infinite Variety of Music, 1966.