Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was an iconic American composer, conductor, and pianist whose influence on the world of classical and contemporary music remains profound. Born on August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Bernstein displayed exceptional musical talent from an early age. He began playing the piano at ten and later attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, where he continued to hone his musical skills.
In 1935, Bernstein entered Harvard University, where he studied music with Walter Piston and pursued his passion for conducting. His prodigious talent quickly caught the attention of influential figures in the music world. In 1940, he attended the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, where he studied under the renowned conductor Serge Koussevitzky.
Leonard Bernstein was a remarkable American musician who excelled as a conductor, composer, pianist, educator and humanitarian. He was one of the most influential and versatile figures in the history of classical and popular music. Here are seven facts about his life and achievements: 1- He was born Louis Bernstein in 1918 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to Russian-Jewish immigrants. He changed his name to Leonard when he was 16, after his grandmother died. He started playing the piano at the age of five and showed great talent and passion for music.