Leonard Bernstein:

American Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) is known for three important roles in music:

• As the first permanent conductor of a major American orchestra (he ultimately conducted all the major orchestras of the world)
• As a composer (of musical theater, choral, and other works)
• As a music educator

Bernstein televised his “Young People’s Concerts” for children and taught a generation of kids about classical music. Many of these are on YouTube and are very fun to watch. He demonstrates the concepts by playing the piano and by conducting his orchestra in front of an audience of children.

Enjoy some of Bernstein’s music:

• On the Town (1944), a musical. Hear “Some Other Time”:

• Candide (1956), an operetta based on the play of the same name by Voltaire. Listen to the song "Glitter and Be Gay":

• West Side Story (1957), a musical based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set in New York City in the 1950s. Here is the song “I Feel Pretty”:

• New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concerts “What is Melody?” (1962):

• Mass (1971), commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy for the opening of the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center. Here is “Gloria”: