Leonard Bernstein
American conductor, composer, pianist
about
Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, known as a composer, conductor, and educator. He gained international fame in 1943 after conducting the New York Philharmonic at short notice, launching his career. Bernstein is best known for West Side Story, a groundbreaking musical blending classical, jazz, and Latin styles. He also composed symphonies and operas and was admired for his interpretations of Gustav Mahler. As a passionate teacher, he introduced millions to classical music through his “Young People’s Concerts.”
Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, known as a composer, conductor, and educator. He gained international fame in 1943 after conducting the New York Philharmonic at short notice, launching his career. Bernstein is best known for West Side Story, a groundbreaking musical blending classical, jazz, and Latin styles. He also composed symphonies and operas and was admired for his interpretations of Gustav Mahler. As a passionate teacher, he introduced millions to classical music through his “Young People’s Concerts.”
Born in Montbrison in the Loire department of France, the son of an engineer, Boulez studied at the Conservatoire de Paris with Olivier Messiaen, and privately with Andrée Vaurabourg and René Leibowitz. He began his professional career in the late 1940s as music director of the Renaud-Barrault theatre company in Paris. He was a leading figure in avant-garde music, playing an important role in the development of integral serialism (in the 1950s), controlled chance music (in the 1960s) and the electronic transformation of instrumental music in real time (from the 1970s onwards).
- Born in Montbrison in the Loire department of France, the son of an engineer, Boulez studied at the Conservatoire de Paris with Olivier Messiaen, and privately with Andrée Vaurabourg and René Leibowitz. He began his professional career in the late 1940s as music director of the Renaud-Barrault theatre company in Paris. He was a leading figure in avant-garde music, playing an important role in the development of integral serialism (in the 1950s), controlled chance music (in the 1960s) and the electronic transformation of instrumental music in real time (from the 1970s onwards).