Short Biography: Leonard Bernstein's Passion For Music
Leonard Bernstein was born in Lawrence, just north of Boston, on Sunday, August 25, 1918. Bernstein was named Louis at birth, after his mother's grandfather, but at the age of sixteen he had it formally changed to Leonard, or Lenny.
As a child, Bernstein was sick very often with asthma and hay fever. Perhaps due to these and many other medical conditions, Bernstein preferred to be alone. He didn't care to spend much time with his family or even with his peers. Most likely because of this self-isolation, Bernstein's passion for music developed at a young age. At
the age of ten, Leonard's family received a piano from an aunt who no longer needed it. She knew of Leonard's love for music, but I doubt she knew what a great impact this gift would have, not only on Leonard, but also on the world of music.
After the young boy began to show an interest in the instrument, a neighbor offered to give him lessons, which lasted for about a year. After that year, Bernstein was no longer satisfied with his teacher, so he went out to find another one. He was referred to a teacher by the name of Miss Susan Williams and despite his father's protest, this teaching relationship with Miss Williams lasted for two years.
When Bernstein decided that he needed a more professional teacher, he went under the education of Helen Coates, who …show more content…
This is where the finishing touches were put on Bernstein's training. He began to develop very close relationships with many of his instructors, which would later serve as contacts in the world of music. The first time that Bernstein conducted was at the end of his first year at Curtis when he led the Curtis Orchestra in Wagner's Tannauser. His joy was obvious to all that saw him in action and he then knew for sure that he would receive great pleasure from
As a child, Bernstein was sick very often with asthma and hay fever. Perhaps due to these and many other medical conditions, Bernstein preferred to be alone. He didn't care to spend much time with his family or even with his peers. Most likely because of this self-isolation, Bernstein's passion for music developed at a young age. At
the age of ten, Leonard's family received a piano from an aunt who no longer needed it. She knew of Leonard's love for music, but I doubt she knew what a great impact this gift would have, not only on Leonard, but also on the world of music.
After the young boy began to show an interest in the instrument, a neighbor offered to give him lessons, which lasted for about a year. After that year, Bernstein was no longer satisfied with his teacher, so he went out to find another one. He was referred to a teacher by the name of Miss Susan Williams and despite his father's protest, this teaching relationship with Miss Williams lasted for two years.
When Bernstein decided that he needed a more professional teacher, he went under the education of Helen Coates, who …show more content…
This is where the finishing touches were put on Bernstein's training. He began to develop very close relationships with many of his instructors, which would later serve as contacts in the world of music. The first time that Bernstein conducted was at the end of his first year at Curtis when he led the Curtis Orchestra in Wagner's Tannauser. His joy was obvious to all that saw him in action and he then knew for sure that he would receive great pleasure from