Leonard Bernstein
(August 25, 1918 - October 14, 1990) U.S.A.
Composer, pianist, and conductor
The son af immigrant Russian Jews, Leonard Bernstein, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts,  was the first American musician to achieve world-wide recognition; he is known as conductor, composer, pianist, author and teacher.
Bernstein was one of the most popular and influential figures in 20th century music. He made his debut in 1943, called in at the last minute and without rehearsal to conduct the New York Philharmonic in place of an ailing Bruno Walter. In 1958, he was the first American to be full-time conductor of the New York Philharmonic. In 1969, he was named conductor laureate for life.
He won 16 Grammy awards for his work as composer, conductor, and pianist.
As a composer, Lenny created works over a wide range of forms and styles.
Symphonies:
- Jeremiah, Age of Anxiety and Kaddish (1944)
- Serenade for Violin and Orchestra
- Chichester Psalms for Orchestra and Chorus
- The Age of Anxiety (1949)
Ballets:
- Fancy Free (1944)
- Facsimile (1946)
- Dybbuk
Operas
- Trouble in Tahiti
- A Quiet Place
For the theatre he wrote
- On the Town
- Wonderful Town (1953)
- Candide (1956)
- West Side Story (1957)
- 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1976)
 
Bernstein composed for the film On the Waterfront, and for classical orchestra. He wrote a Mass (1971) in memory of J. F. Kennedy. He helped to popularize classical music in the United States with his conducting showmanship. Bernstein received Kennedy Center Honors in 1980.
 At his daughter's wedding reception at the Waldorf-Astoria, with 400 guests present, he ended his toast with a list of his new son-in-law's virtues, adding this boast in conclusion: "And he's straight".
Although he married and had children, Bernstein was most certainly gay or at least bisexual; in his later years, he was frequently seen with sweet young men around town. His all-round extravagance, colorful retinue of followers and sexual indiscretions saw an incresing hostile reception accorded to his work.
In 1988, Leonard Bernstein said of himself, "Most people do think of me as just another pinko faggot, a bleeding heart, a do-gooder." After a pause the late composer and conductor added, "But that's what I am."
Website: http://www.leonardbernstein.com
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