Leonard Bernstein
Latest News on Leonard Bernstein:
|
Date of Birth:
August 25, 1918
Date of Death:
October 14, 1990 (72)
Birth Place: Lawrence, MA, USA
Bio:
Leonard Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He took piano lessons as a boy and attended the Garrison and Boston Latin Schools. At Harvard University, he studied with Walter Piston, Edward Burlingame-Hill, and A. Tillman Merritt, among others. Before graduating in 1939, he made an ...
(read complete bio)
|
Latest News on Leonard Bernstein
Stage Credits
Productions
Writing
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Bookwriter
Music
Leonard Bernstein Biography
Leonard Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He took piano lessons as a boy and attended the Garrison and Boston Latin Schools. At Harvard University, he studied with Walter Piston, Edward Burlingame-Hill, and A. Tillman Merritt, among others. Before graduating in 1939, he made an unofficial conducting debut with his own incidental music to "The Birds," and directed and performed in Marc Blitzstein's "The Cradle Will Rock." Then at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, he studied piano with Isabella Vengerova, conducting with Fritz Reiner, and orchestration with Randall Thompson.In 1940, he studied at the Boston Symphony Orchestra's newly created summer institute, Tanglewood, with the orchestra's conductor, Serge Koussevitzky. Bernstein later became Koussevitzky's conducting assistant.
Bernstein was appointed to his first permanent conducting post in 1943, as Assistant Conductor of the New York Philharmonic. On November 14, 1943, Bernstein substituted on a few hours notice for the ailing Bruno Walter at a Carnegie Hall concert, which was broadcast nationally on radio, receiving critical acclaim. Soon orchestras worldwide sought him out as a guest conductor.
In 1945 he was appointed Music Director of the New York City Symphony Orchestra, a post he held until 1947. After Serge Koussevitzky died in 1951, Bernstein headed the orchestral and conducting departments at Tanglewood, teaching there for many years. In 1951 he married the Chilean actress and pianist, Felicia Montealegre. He was also visiting music professor, and head of the Creative Arts Festivals at Brandeis University in the early 1950s.
Bernstein became Music Director of the New York Philharmonic in 1958. From then until 1969 he led more concerts with the orchestra than any previous conductor. He subsequently held the lifetime title of Laureate Conductor, making frequent guest appearances with the orchestra. More than half of Bernstein's 400-plus recordings were made with the New York Philharmonic.
Bernstein traveled the world as a conductor. Immediately after World War II, in 1946, he conducted in London and at the International Music Festival in Prague. In 1947 he conducted in Tel Aviv, beginning a relationship with Israel that lasted until his death. In 1953, Bernstein was the first American to conduct opera at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan: Cherubini's "Medea" with Maria Callas.
Bernstein was a leading advocate of American composers, particularly Aaron Copland. The two remained close friends for life. As a young pianist, Bernstein performed Copland's "Piano Variations" so often he considered the composition his trademark. Bernstein programmed and recorded nearly all of the Copland orchestral works --many of them twice. He devoted several televised "Young People's Concerts" to Copland, and gave the premiere of Copland's "Connotations," commissioned for the opening of Philharmonic Hall (now Avery Fisher Hall) at Lincoln Center in 1962.
While Bernstein's conducting repertoire encompassed the standard literature, he may be best remembered for his performances and recordings of Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Sibelius and Mahler. Particularly notable were his performances of the Mahler symphonies with the New York Philharmonic in the 1960s, sparking a renewed interest in the works of Mahler.
Inspired by his Jewish heritage, Bernstein completed his first large-scale work: Symphony No. 1: "Jeremiah." (1943). The piece was first performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 1944, conducted by the composer, and received the New York Music Critics' Award. Koussevitzky premiered Bernstein's Symphony No. 2: "The Age of Anxiety" with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Bernstein as piano soloist. His Symphony No. 3: "Kaddish," composed in 1963, was premiered by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. "Kaddish" is dedicated "To the Beloved Memory of John F. Kennedy."
Other major compositions by Bernstein include "Prelude, Fugue and Riffs" for solo clarinet and jazz ensemble (1949); "Serenade" for violin, strings and percussion, (1954); "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story," (1960); "Chichester Psalms" for chorus, boy soprano and orchestra (1965); "Mass: A Theater Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers," commissioned for the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and first produced there in 1971; "Songfest" a song cycle for six singers and orchestra (1977); "Divertimento," for orchestra (1980); "Halil," for solo flute and small orchestra (1981); "Touches," for solo piano (1981); "Missa Brevis" for singers and percussion (1988); "Thirteen Anniversaries" for solo piano (1988); "Concerto for Orchestra: Jubilee Games," (1989); and "Arias and Barcarolles" for two singers and piano duet (1988).
Bernstein also wrote a one-act opera, "Trouble in Tahiti," in 1952, and its sequel, the three-act opera, "A Quiet Place" in 1983. He collaborated with choreographer Jerome Robbins on three major ballets: "Fancy Free" (1944) and "Facsimile" (1946) for the American Ballet theater; and "Dybbuk" (1975) for the New York City Ballet. He composed the score for the award-winning movie "On the Waterfront" (1954) and incidental music for two Broadway plays: "Peter Pan" (1950) and "The Lark" (1955).
Bernstein contributed substantially to the Broadway musical stage. He collaborated with Betty Comden and Adolph Green on "On The Town" (1944) and "Wonderful Town" (1953). In collaboration with Richard Wilbur and Lillian Hellman and others he wrote "Candide" (1956). Other versions of "Candide" were written in association with Hugh Wheeler, Stephen Sondheim et al. In 1957 he again collaborated with Jerome Robbins, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents, on the landmark musical "West Side Story," also made into the Academy Award-winning film. In 1976 Bernstein and Alan Jay Lerner wrote "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."
Festivals of Bernstein's music have been produced throughout the world. In 1978 the Israel Philharmonic sponsored a festival commemorating his years of dedication to Israel. The Israel Philharmonic also bestowed on him the lifetime title of Laureate Conductor in 1988. In 1986 the London Symphony Orchestra and the Barbican Centre produced a Bernstein Festival. The London Symphony Orchestra in 1987 named him Honorary President. In 1989 the city of Bonn presented a Beethoven/Bernstein Festival.
In 1985 the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences honored Mr. Bernstein with the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. He won eleven Emmy Awards in his career. His televised concert and lecture series started with the "Omnibus" program in 1954, followed by the extraordinary "Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic," in 1958 that extended over fourteen seasons. Among his many appearances on the PBS series "Great Performances" was the eleven-part acclaimed "Bernstein's Beethoven." In 1989, Bernstein and others commemorated the 1939 invasion of Poland in a worldwide telecast from Warsaw.
Bernstein's writings were published in "the Joy of Music" (1959), "Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts"(1961), "The Infinite Variety of Music" (1966), and "Findings" (1982). Each has been widely translated. He gave six lectures at Harvard University in 1972-1973 as the Charles Eliot Norton Professor of Poetry. These lectures were subsequently published and televised as "The Unanswered Question."
Bernstein always rejoiced in opportunities to teach young musicians. His master classes at Tanglewood were famous. He was instrumental in founding the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute in 1982. He helped create a world class training orchestra at the Schleswig Holstein Music Festival. He founded the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan. Modeled after Tanglewood, this international festival was the first of its kind in Asia and continues to this day.
Bernstein received many honors. He was elected in 1981 to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, which gave him a Gold Medal. The National Fellowship Award in 1985 applauded his life-long support of humanitarian causes. He received the MacDowell Colony's Gold Medal; medals from the Beethoven Society and the Mahler Gesellschaft; the Handel Medallion, New York City's highest honor for the arts; a Tony award (1969) for Distinguished Achievement in the Theater; and dozens of honorary degrees and awards from colleges and universities. He was presented ceremonial keys to the cities of Oslo, Vienna, Bersheeva and the village of Bernstein, Austria, among others. National honors came from Italy, Israel, Mexico, Denmark, Germany (the Great Merit Cross), and France (Chevalier, Officer and Commandeur of the Legion d'Honneur). He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1980.
World peace was a particular concern of Bernstein. Speaking at Johns Hopkins University in 1980 and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York in 1983, he described his vision of global harmony. His "Journey for Peace" tour to Athens and Hiroshima with the European Community Orchestra in 1985, commemorated the 40th anniversary of the atom bomb. In December 1989, Bernstein conducted the historic "Berlin Celebration Concerts" on both sides of the Berlin Wall, as it was being dismantled. The concerts were unprecedented gestures of cooperation, the musicians representing the former East Germany, West Germany, and the four powers that had partitioned Berlin after World War II.
Bernstein supported Amnesty International from its inception. To benefit the effort in 1987, he established the Felicia Montealegre Fund in memory of his wife who died in 1978.
In 1990, Bernstein received the Praemium Imperiale, an international prize created in 1988 by the Japan Arts Association and awarded for lifetime achievement in the arts. Bernstein used the $100,000 prize to establish The Bernstein Education Through the Arts (BETA) Fund, Inc. before his death on October 14, 1990.
Bernstein was the father of three children -- Jamie, Alexander, and Nina -- and the grandfather of four: Francisca, Evan, Anya and Anna.
Leonard Bernstein Awards and Nominations
| Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best Musical Revival | ||
| Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story | ||
Olivier Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Musical Production  |
||
| Leonard Bernstein, Candide | ||
| Olivier Awards - 1988 - Musical of the Year |
||
| Leonard BernsteinCandide | ||
| Olivier Awards - 1986 - Musical of the Year | ||
| Leonard BernsteinWonderful Town! | ||
| Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Music & Lyrics | ||
| Leonard Bernstein, 16 Pennsylvania Avenue | ||
| New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1974 - Best Musical |
||
| Leonard Bernstein, Candide | ||
| Tony Awards - 1969 - Special Tony Award |
||
| Leonard Bernstein | ||
| Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Musical | ||
| Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story | ||
| Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Musical | ||
| Leonard Bernstein, Candide | ||
| New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1953 - Best Musical |
||
| Leonard Bernstein, Wonderful Town | ||
| Tony Awards - 1953 - Best Musical |
||
| Leonard Bernstein, Wonderful Town | ||
Leonard Bernstein News
Chita Rivera to Present CHITA: THE RHYTHM OF MY LIFE at Segerstrom Center for the Artsby Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 29, 2022
Come celebrate the one and only CHITA RIVERA in a unique concert event CHITA: THE RHYTHM OF MY LIFE for a single performance only on Sunday, December 11 at 2:00pm presented by Segerstrom Center for the Arts at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Concord Music Publishing's Yearly Sync Event Returns For 5th Yearby Stephi Wild - Nov 28, 2022
Concord Music Publishing (CMP) held their 5th annual REIMAGINED event in central London on November 17th. REIMAGINED is CMP's yearly sync event to celebrate various parts of their extensive catalogue through new remixes, covers and recordings.
Arthur Darvill, Anoushka Lucas, and More Will Reprise Roles in West End Transfer of OKLAHOMA!by Stephi Wild - Nov 23, 2022
Reprising their roles from the run at the Young Vic are Raphael Bushay (Mike), Arthur Darvill (Curly McLain), James Patrick Davis (Will Parker), Stavros Demetraki (Ali Hakim), Greg Hicks (Andrew Carnes), Rebekah Hinds (Gertie Cummings), Anoushka Lucas (Laurey Williams), Marie-Astrid Mence (Lead Dancer), Liza Sadovy (Aunt Eller) and Patrick Vaill (Jud Fry).
Symphony Of The Americas Performs Holiday Classics Conducted By Artistic Director Pablo Mielgoby A.A. Cristi - Nov 22, 2022
Celebrate the holidays Tuesday, Dec. 6 with Symphony of the Americas and a musical world tour rejoicing in the sounds of the season conducted by Artistic Director Pablo Mielgo with special guest Kyaunnee Richardson.
WEST SIDE STORY is Now Playing at Det. KGL Teaterby Stephi Wild - Nov 22, 2022
Shakespeare’s tragic love story about Romeo and Juliet inspired Leonard Bernstein and lyricist Stephen Sondheim to create the story of the two lovebirds, Tony and Maria, involving two rival street gangs in 1950s New York.
Christine Ebersole to Perform With Billy Stritch at P-Town's Town Hall on New Year's Eveby Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 21, 2022
Broadway @ Town Hall concert series will present Christine Ebersole in her Provincetown Town Hall debut for FIRST LIGHT FESTIVAL on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31 at 7:00 PM - for One Show Only - with renowned entertainer Billy Stritch at the piano.
Monica Arnó And Brian Cheney Star In Plainfield Symphony's Pops Concert LIFE IS A CABARETby A.A. Cristi - Nov 18, 2022
On Saturday, November 19th at 7pm acclaimed Conductor and Music Director Charles Prince leads the Plainfield Symphony in the audience favorite Pops Concert, entitled “Life is a Cabaret”.
Review: Oratorio Society Debuts Stunning NATION OF OTHERS by Moravec and Campbell at Carnegie Hallby Richard Sasanow - Nov 18, 2022
The Oratorio Society of New York (OSNY), under Kent Tritle, gave its second stirring world premiere by Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell with Tuesday’s outstanding performance of A NATION OF OTHERS.
New York Festival Of Song Presents A GOYISHE CHRISTMAS TO YOU! At Kaufman Music Center On December 14by A.A. Cristi - Nov 17, 2022
New York Festival of Song (NYFOS), led by Artistic Director Steven Blier, presents its annual holiday show, A Goyishe Christmas to You! on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 7:00pm at Merkin Hall's Upper Lobby at the Kaufman Music Center.
South Bend Symphony Orchestra HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Announced December 17by A.A. Cristi - Nov 17, 2022
Home for the Holidays with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra combines seasonal favorites, storytelling, and more! Guest conductor Geoffery Larson, renowned Irish-American Baritone Emmett O'Hanlon, Notre Dame Concordia Octet, and Southold Dance Theater unite with the Symphony to create South Bend's favorite holiday performance.
Leonard Bernstein Videos
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 19, 2022
Writer composer Dave Malloy and director Annie Tippe came together to discuss the West Coast premiere of OCTET, running April 20-May 29, 2022 at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
by BroadwayWorld TV - Mar 29, 2022
On April 9 (7pm), join Tony Award Nominee Josh Young and his wife, Broadway Star Emily Padgett at the Green Room 42, as they celebrate the decade that gave us Les Miserables, Phantom of The Opera and Cats - the decade where Stephen Sondheim and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber reached the pinnacle of their creative mastery: the 1980’s.
by Michael Major - Mar 2, 2022
Disney has released a new music video of Academy Award-nominee Ariana DeBose perform 'America' as Anita in Steven Spielberg's award-winning, critically-acclaimed 'West Side Story'. The film also stars Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Rita Moreno, David Alvarez, and more.
by Stage Tube - Feb 24, 2022
Canadian opera star Jane Archibald delivers a tour-de-force vocal performance in a program of sparkling coloratura arias from throughout the history of opera and beyond—from George Frideric Handel to Leonard Bernstein.
by Michael Major - Feb 1, 2022
A new West Side Story featurette has revealed a look inside a scoring session for the film, featuring Ariana DeBose and the cast of the film singing 'America.' The the new video also features appearances from Rita Moreno, Steven Spielberg, Rachel Zegler, David Alvarez, and more. Watch the new featurette now!
by Michael Major - Jan 31, 2022
On the latest episode of Variety's Actors on Actors series, Rachel Zegler and Andrew Garfield sat down to discuss their performances in West Side Story and tick, tick...BOOM! The pair also discussed Garfield's appearace in the recent Spider-Man film, Zegler being cast as Snow White in Disney's upcoming remake, their beginnings in theatre, and more.
by BroadwayWorld TV - Jan 20, 2022
A Costume Featurette from Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” featuring 2022 Critics Choice Nominee and Tony Award® and Emmy Award® winning costume designer, Paul Tazewell, has been released.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 12, 2022
Tony Kushner recently chatted with Gold Derby editor Christopher Rosen about the film adaptation of West Side Story in an all new interview.
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - Jan 2, 2022
Watch as Richard Ridge chats with Broadway composer extraordinaire, Stephen Schwartz!
by Michael Major - Dec 28, 2021
Steven Spielberg and Janusz Kamiński go behind the scenes of West Side Story, discussing the film's award-winning cinematography. West Side Story recently won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cinematography. The video features behind-the-scenes looks at 'America,' 'The Rumble,' 'Maria,' and 'Tonight.'
