Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) was an American composer, conductor, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the U.S. to receive worldwide acclaim. Noted for his accomplishments in both classical and popular music, Bernstein was most famous for his long tenure as the music director of the New York Philharmonic, from which he introduced an entire generation to classical music through his televised Young People's Concerts series. He composed the music for "West Side Story," "Candide," "On the Town" and other musicals. Bernstein was also a recipient of numerous awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honors.
