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There’s so much to say about Leonard Bernstein, surely one of the 20th century’s most inspiring figures in the field of music: a passionate and articulate communicator and educator, he inspired a love of music in generations of American children, while also finding time to set down some of the most exciting performances of classical masterpieces. <\/p>
In particular, he’s remembered as a visionary conductor of the symphonies of Gustav Mahler<\/a><\/strong>. You should also hear, though, his versions of the symphonies of Sibelius<\/a><\/strong>, Nielsen<\/a><\/strong>, Schumann<\/strong><\/a>, and Mozart<\/a><\/strong>. Then there are his own creations, the masterful and emotive West Side Story not least among them.<\/p> So much to tell, in short. Here are the headlines from an incredible life.<\/p> The eldest of three, Leonard Bernstein is born on 25 August in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to Jewish parents, both immigrants from Russia. He starts piano lessons at ten against the wishes of his father, a supplier of hair and beauty products.<\/p> At Harvard he studies with Walter Piston and forms friendships with Dimitri Mitropoulos and Aaron Copland<\/strong><\/a>. Continuing his conducting at the Curtis institute, he appears at Tanglewood Summer School.<\/p> He shoots to fame replacing an ill Bruno Walter as conductor of the New York Philharmonic in Carnegie Hall. Within months the orchestra are playing his First Symphony (\u2018Jeremiah\u2019).<\/p>Leonard Bernstein timeline<\/h2>
1918: Leonard Bernstein born<\/strong><\/h3>
1935-39<\/strong>: Harvard<\/strong><\/h3>
1943: Bernstein’s big break<\/strong><\/h3>