Leonard Bernstein, a renowned American composer, contributed many works throughout his tenure as both an artist and as a teacher. Best known for his compositions for West Side Story, his legacy has only grown since his passing. To mark his 100th birthday this year, Northrop presents KEIGWIN + COMPANY Celebrates Bernstein with the University Symphony Orchestra on April 14. Learn more about Bernstein below:
- Born as Louis Bernstein in Lawrence, MA, on Aug 25, 1918, he officially changed his name to Leonard at age 16 because of his family’s tendency to call him “Lenny” or “Leonard” instead of “Louis.”
- Bernstein began playing the piano at age 10, and at age 40 he became the youngest music director of the New York Philharmonic ever.
- Bernstein was shot into stardom while filling in for a sick colleague at a Philharmonic concert. The New York Times put the show on the front page the next day, cementing Bernstein’s spot in the limelight.
- Bernstein and John F. Kennedy both attended Harvard, something that led them to become friends during later years. After the president’s assassination, Bernstein conducted Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony No. 2 as a part of a nationally televised memorial in JFK’s honor.
- His daughter, Jamie, recounts the moment she realized the importance of her father: “...we were watching The Flintstones. And Betty and Wilma were going to the Hollyrock Bowl to hear Leonard Berstone conduct. That’s when we thought, ‘Oh my god, he must’ve really hit the big time if he’s on The Flintstones.’ ”
- Bernstein had his own TV program, Young People’s Concerts, which aired on CBS from 1958-1972 and sought to bring music education into living rooms around America.
- He received an Academy Award nomination for his score of On the Waterfront (1954). He is also widely recognized for his musical compositions for On the Town (1949), Wonderful Town (1958), Candide (1956), and, of course, West Side Story (1961).
- He truly spent almost his whole life working on his music. Bernstein announced his retirement on Oct 9, 1990, just 5 days before his death.