Bernstein, Leonard, 1918 - 1990 US composer,
conductor, and pianist. His works, which
established a vogue for realistic,
contemporary themes, include symphonies such
as The Age of Anxiety 1949; ballets such as
Fancy Free 1944; scores for musicals
including Wonderful Town 1953 and West Side
Story 1957; and Mass 1971 in memory of
President J F Kennedy.
Born in Lawrence, Massachussetts, he was
educated at Harvard University and the Curtis
Institute of Music. From 1958 to 1970 he was
musical director of the New York
Philharmonic. Among his other works are
Jeremiah 1944, Facsimile 1946, Candide 1956,
and the Chichester Psalms 1965.