History Music / LeonardBernstein

Bernstein composed works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, suites, pieces for choir and solo voice, and chamber music. His works for the stage include the ballets ''Fancy Free'' and ''Facsimile'', the comic operetta ''Literature/{{Candide}}'' (based on the novella by Creator/{{Voltaire}}), the one-act opera ''Trouble in Tahiti'' later expanded on by the sequel ''A Quiet Place'', incidental songs for a semi-musical production of ''Theatre/PeterPan1904'', and the musicals ''Film/OnTheTown'', ''Wonderful Town'' and ''Theatre/WestSideStory'' (and its [[Film/WestSideStory1961 film adaptation]]), the work for which he is most well known. Bernstein also composed the score for the film ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'', and his music featured in films from Hitchcock's ''Film/RearWindow'' to ''Man on the Moon'' and television productions from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to ''Series/UglyBetty'' and ''Series/{{Glee}}''.

Bernstein composed works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, suites, pieces for choir and solo voice, and chamber music. His works for the stage include the ballets ''Fancy Free'' and ''Facsimile'', the comic operetta ''Literature/{{Candide}}'' (based on the novella by Creator/{{Voltaire}}), the one-act opera ''Trouble in Tahiti'' later expanded on by the sequel ''A Quiet Place'', incidental songs for a semi-musical production of ''Theatre/PeterPan'', and the musicals ''Film/OnTheTown'', ''Wonderful Town'' and ''Theatre/WestSideStory'' (and its [[Film/WestSideStory1961 film adaptation]]), the work for which he is most well known. Bernstein also composed the score for the film ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'', and his music featured in films from Hitchcock's ''Film/RearWindow'' to ''Man on the Moon'' and television productions from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to ''Series/UglyBetty'' and ''Series/{{Glee}}''.

Bernstein composed works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, suites, pieces for choir and solo voice, and chamber music. His works for the stage include the ballets ''Fancy Free'' and ''Facsimile'', the comic operetta ''Literature/{{Candide}}'' (based on the novella by Creator/{{Voltaire}}), the one-act opera ''Trouble in Tahiti'' later expanded on by the sequel ''A Quiet Place'', incidental songs for a semi-musical production of ''Theatre/{{Peter Pan|1950}}'', and the musicals ''Film/OnTheTown'', ''Wonderful Town'' and ''Theatre/WestSideStory'' (and its [[Film/WestSideStory1961 film adaptation]]), the work for which he is most well known. Bernstein also composed the score for the film ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'', and his music featured in films from Hitchcock's ''Film/RearWindow'' to ''Man on the Moon'' and television productions from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to ''Series/UglyBetty'' and ''Series/{{Glee}}''.

He died of pneumonia in 1990, not long after conducting a performance of works by Benjamin Britten and [[Music/LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]] at the Tanglewood music festival. As his funeral procession made its way through Manhattan, construction workers were said to have waved their hats in the air and shouted: "Goodbye, Lenny!" He was buried with a conductor's score of Music/GustavMahler's Symphony No. 5 placed on his chest.

Bernstein composed works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, suites, pieces for choir and solo voice, and chamber music. His works for the stage include the ballets ''Fancy Free'' and ''Facsimile'', the comic opera ''Literature/{{Candide}}'' (based on the novella by Creator/{{Voltaire}}), the one-act opera ''Trouble in Tahiti'' later expanded on by the sequel ''A Quiet Place'', incidental songs for a semi-musical production of ''Theatre/{{Peter Pan|1950}}'', and the musicals ''Film/OnTheTown'', ''Wonderful Town'' and ''Theatre/WestSideStory'' (and its [[Film/WestSideStory1961 film adaptation]]), the work for which he is most well known. Bernstein also composed the score for the film ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'', and his music featured in films from Hitchcock's ''Film/RearWindow'' to ''Man on the Moon'' and television productions from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to ''Series/UglyBetty'' and ''Series/{{Glee}}''.

As a conductor, Bernstein is best known for conducting performances of works by his fellow American composers, such as Music/AaronCopland and Music/CharlesIves, as well as works by Music/JosephHaydn, Music/RobertSchumann, Music/IgorStravinsky, Music/DmitriShostakovich, and Music/GustavMahler.

[[caption-width-right:300:''[[Music/{{REM}} "The other night I dreamt of knives,]] [[Music/{{Document}} continental drift divide,]] [[SomethingSomethingLeonardBernstein mountains sit in a line--"]]'']]

He is the partial TropeNamer of SomethingSomethingLeonardBernstein. The song came out in 1987, and he died in 1990, so it's entirely possible he was aware he was in the song.

->''"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time."''

->''"To be a success as a Broadway composer, you must be Jewish or gay. I'm both."''
-->-- '''Leonard Bernstein'''

Bernstein composed works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, suites, pieces for choir and solo voice, and chamber music. His works for the stage include the ballets ''Fancy Free'' and ''Facsimile'', the comic opera ''Literature/{{Candide}}'' (based on the novella by Creator/{{Voltaire}}), the one-act opera ''Trouble in Tahiti'' later expanded on by the sequel ''A Quiet Place'', incidental songs for a semi-musical production of ''Theatre/{{Peter Pan|1950}}'', and the musicals ''Film/OnTheTown'', ''Wonderful Town'' and ''Film/WestSideStory'', the work for which he is most well known. Bernstein also composed the score for the film ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'', and his music featured in films from Hitchcock's ''Film/RearWindow'' to ''Man on the Moon'' and television productions from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to ''Series/UglyBetty'' and ''Series/{{Glee}}''.

Bernstein was married to actress Felicia Cohn in 1951 and had three children. He was discreet about his homosexuality, but he eventually left his wife and moved in with his lover. However, when his wife was diagnosed with lung cancer, Bernstein moved back in with her and cared for her until her death in 1978.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/leonardbernstein.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''[[Music/{{REM}} "The other night I dreamt of knives,]] [[Music/{{Document}} continental drift divide,]] [[SomethingSomethingLeonardBernstein mountains sit in a line--"]]'']]

Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 -- October 14, 1990), composer, lecturer, and conductor, was one of the most famous and successful native-born American musicians of the 20th century. Born in Massachusetts to Russian immigrants, Bernstein began taking piano lessons when he was ten. He went on to study music at Harvard University and the Curtis Institute of Music, learning from such musicians as Walter Piston, Fritz Reiner, Randall Thompson, and Isabelle Vengerova. He also studied in Paris with the legendary composition teacher Nadia Boulanger. Bernstein became famous as a conductor when he substituted for Bruno Walter at a concert by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; he later went on to being the director of that orchestra from 1958 to 1969.

Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 -- October 14, 1990), composer, lecturer, and conductor, was one of the most famous and successful native-born American musicians of the 20th century. Born in Massachusetts to Russian immigrants, Bernstein began taking piano lessons when he was ten. He went on to study music at Harvard University and the Curtis Institute of Music, learning from such musicians as Walter Piston, Fritz Reiner, Randall Thompson, and Isabelle Vengerova. Bernstein became famous as a conductor when he substituted for Bruno Walter at a concert by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; he later went on to being the director of that orchestra from 1958 to 1969.

Not to be confused with the equally famous composer and conductor, Music/ElmerBernstein (for one, their last names are pronounced differently[[note]]Leonard's surname is pronounced "Bern-STEIN", Elmer's surname is pronounced "Bern-STEEN".[[/note]]).

Bernstein was known for his innovative ideas of how to educate the public in music. He was one of the first classical musicians to make frequent television appearances, producing dozens of ''Young People's Concerts'' for CBS in the 1950s and 60s. In 1973, he made a series of six videotaped lectures at Harvard University. He titled these lectures ''The Unanswered Question'' after a composition by Charles Ives. These lectures were later broadcast on PBS, and are available today in book form and on DVD.

Bernstein composed works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, suites, pieces for choir and solo voice, and chamber music. His works for the stage include the ballets ''Fancy Free'' and ''Facsimile'', the comic opera ''Literature/{{Candide}}'' (based on the novella by Creator/{{Voltaire}}), the one-act opera ''Trouble in Tahiti'' later expanded on by the sequel ''A Quiet Place'', incidental songs for a semi-musical production of ''Theatre/{{Peter Pan|1950}}'', and the musicals ''Film/OnTheTown'', ''Wonderful Town'' and ''Film/WestSideStory'', the work for which he is most well known. Bernstein also composed the score for the film ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'', and his music features in films from Hitchcock's ''Film/RearWindow'' to ''Man on the Moon'' and television productions from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to ''Series/UglyBetty'' and ''Series/{{Glee}}''.

Bernstein was married to actress Felicia Cohn in 1951, and had three children. He was discreet about his homosexuality, but he eventually left his wife and moved in with his lover. However, when his wife was diagnosed with lung cancer, Bernstein moved back in with her and cared for her until her death in 1978.

He died of pneumonia in 1990, not long after conducting a performance of works by Benjamin Britten and [[Music/LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]] at the Tanglewood music festival. As his funeral procession made its way through Manhattan, construction workers were said to have waved their hats in the air and shouted "Goodbye, Lenny!" He was buried with a conductor's score of Music/GustavMahler's Symphony No. 5 placed on his chest.

Not to be confused with the equally famous composer and conductor, Music/ElmerBernstein (for one, their last names are pronounced differently).

As a conductor, Bernstein is best known for conducting performances of works by his fellow American composers, such as Music/AaronCopland and Music/CharlesIves, as well as works by Music/JosephHaydn, Music/RobertSchumann, Music/IgorStravinsky, and Music/GustavMahler.

Bernstein was known for his innovative ideas of how to educate the public in music. He was one of the first classical musicians to make frequent television appearances, producing dozens of "Young People's Concerts" for CBS in the 1950s and 60s. In 1973, he made a series of six videotaped lectures at Harvard University. He titled these lectures "The Unanswered Question," after a composition by Charles Ives. These lectures were later broadcast on PBS, and are available today in book form and on DVD.

Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 -- October 14, 1990), composer, lecturer, and conductor, was one of the most famous and successful native-born American musicians of the 20th century. Born in Massachusetts to Russian immigrants, Bernstein began taking piano lessons when he was ten. He went on to study music at Harvard University and the Curtis Institute of Music, learning from such musicians as Walter Piston, Fritz Reiner, Randall Thompson, and Isabelle Vengerova. Bernstein became famous as a conductor when he substituted for Bruno Walter at a concert by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; he later went on to being the director of that orchestra from 1958 to 1968.

He died of pneumonia in 1990, not long after conducting a performance of works by Benjamin Britten and [[Music/LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]] at the Tanglewood music festival. As his funeral procession made its way through Manhattan, construction workers were said to have waved their hats in the air and shouted "Goodbye, Lenny!" He was buried with a conductor's score of Music/GustavMahler's Symphony #5 placed on his chest.

He died of pneumonia in 1990, not long after conducting a performance of works by Benjamin Britten and [[Music/LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]] at the Tanglewood music festival. As his funeral procession made its way through Manhattan, construction workers were said to have waved their hats in the air and shouted "Goodbye, Lenny!" He was buried with a conductor's score of Creator/GustavMahler's Symphony #5 placed on his chest.

He died of pneumonia in 1990, not long after conducting a performance of works by Benjamin Britten and [[Music/LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]] at the Tanglewood music festival. As his funeral procession made its way through Manhattan, construction workers were said to have waved their hats in the air and shouted "Goodbye, Lenny!"

Bernstein composed works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, suites, pieces for choir and solo voice, and chamber music. His works for the stage include the ballets ''Fancy Free'' and ''Facsimile'', the comic opera ''Literature/{{Candide}}'' (based on the novella by Creator/{{Voltaire}}), the one-act opera ''Trouble in Tahiti'' later expanded on by the sequel ''A Quiet Place'', incidental songs for a semi-musical production of ''PeterPan,'' and the musicals ''Film/OnTheTown'', ''Wonderful Town'' and ''Film/WestSideStory'', the work for which he is most well known. Bernstein also composed the score for the film ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'', and his music features in films from Hitchcock's ''Film/RearWindow'' to ''Man on the Moon'' and television productions from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to ''Series/UglyBetty'' and ''Series/{{Glee}}''.

Not to be confused with the equally famous composer and conductor, Music/ElmerBernstein (for one, their last names are pronounced differently.

<<|{{Composers}}|>>

Not to be confused with the equally famous composer and conductor, Music/ElmerBernstein (for one, their last names are pronounced differently.)

Bernstein died of pneumonia in 1990, not long after conducting a performance of works by Benjamin Britten and [[Music/LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]] at the Tanglewood music festival. As his funeral procession made its way through Manhattan, construction workers were said to have waved their hats in the air and shouted "Goodbye, Lenny!"

Bernstein composed works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, suites, pieces for choir and solo voice, and chamber music. His works for the stage include the ballets ''Fancy Free'' and ''Facsimile'', the comic opera ''{{Candide}}'' (based on the novella by Creator/{{Voltaire}}), the one-act opera ''Trouble in Tahiti'' later expanded on by the sequel ''A Quiet Place'', incidental songs for a semi-musical production of ''PeterPan,'' and the musicals ''Film/OnTheTown'', ''Wonderful Town'' and ''Film/WestSideStory'', the work for which he is most well known. Bernstein also composed the score for the film ''Film/OnTheWaterfront'', and his music features in films from Hitchcock's ''Film/RearWindow'' to ''Man on the Moon'' and television productions from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to ''Series/UglyBetty'' and ''Series/{{Glee}}''.

As a conductor, Bernstein is best known for conducting performances of works by his fellow American composers, such as Creator/AaronCopland and Creator/CharlesIves, as well as works by Music/JosephHaydn, Creator/RobertSchumann, Music/IgorStravinsky, and Music/GustavMahler.

Bernstein composed works in a variety of genres, including symphonies, suites, pieces for choir and solo voice, and chamber music. His works for the stage include the ballets ''Fancy Free'' and ''Facsimile'', the comic opera ''{{Candide}}'' (based on the novella by Creator/{{Voltaire}}), the one-act opera ''Trouble in Tahiti'' later expanded on by the sequel ''A Quiet Place'', incidental songs for a semi-musical production of ''PeterPan,'' and the musicals ''OnTheTown'', ''Wonderful Town'' and ''Film/WestSideStory'', the work for which he is most well known. Bernstein also composed the score for the film ''OnTheWaterfront'', and his music features in films from Hitchcock's ''RearWindow'' to ''Man on the Moon'' and television productions from ''TheMuppetShow'' to ''UglyBetty'' and ''{{Glee}}''.

Bernstein died of pneumonia in 1990, not long after conducting a performance of works by Benjamin Britten and [[LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven]] at the Tanglewood music festival. As his funeral procession made its way through Manhattan, construction workers were said to have waved their hats in the air and shouted "Goodbye, Lenny!"

Not to be confused with the equally famous composer and conductor, ElmerBernstein (for one, their last names are pronounced differently.)

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), composer, lecturer, and conductor, was one of the most famous and successful native-born American musicians of the 20th century. Born in Massachusetts to Russian immigrants, Bernstein began taking piano lessons when he was ten. He went on to study music at Harvard University and the Curtis Institute of Music, learning from such musicians as Walter Piston, Fritz Reiner, Randall Thompson, and Isabelle Vengerova. Bernstein became famous as a conductor when he substituted for Bruno Walter at a concert by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; he later went on to being the director of that orchestra from 1958 to 1968.

Not to be confused with the equally famous composer, ElmerBernstein (for one, their last names are pronounced differently.)

As a conductor, Bernstein is best known for conducting performances of works by his fellow American composers, such as Aaron Copland and Creator/CharlesIves, as well as works by JosephHaydn, RobertSchumann, IgorStravinsky, and GustavMahler.