An Artist's Birthday!

"The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies and his life just to make sure that one note follows another ... and leaves us with the feeling that something is right in the world."

"A work of art does not answer questions, it provokes them; and its essential meaning is in the tension between the contradictory answers."

"Life without music is unthinkable. Music without life is academic. That is why my contact with music is a total embrace."

"To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."
All from Leonard Bernstein, 1918 - 1990

I feel that I must mention that today is the birth date of Leonard Bernstein...

Leonard Bernstein was born at Lawrence, Massachusetts on this day in 1918. He was the first composer and conductor to be educated in the United States to receive acclaim and recognition worldwide.... By the time he reached the age of 25 he had brought a whole new kind of glory to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.His exuberance and dramatic style caught the heart of America, bringing classical music to thousands of people from diverse backgrounds. More than any American conductor before him, Bernstein expanded the audience of classical music while maintaining a deep artistic integrity. He composed symphonic works and wrote the scores for many of the still popular musicals such as West Side Story, Candide and On the Town....
For On the Waterfront he received an Academy Award. He was simply adored by the public and a major social figure in New York. Although he was a man of many accomplishments he was proudest of his achievements as a teacher... He made classical music popular through a number of television appearances .. Including a series called "Young People's Concerts" that was shown on the Public Broadcast stations...

Bernstein died of on October 14th, 1990~ of pneumonia and a Pleural tumor only five days after his retirement.. According to the New York Times , he was "one of the most prodigally talented and successful musicians in American history."


You can actually listen to some of his music here... If you are interested... I was a little but surprised to find that he wrote the music for one of my favorites from way back.. Somewhere!

I personally love the last quote I have shared with you.. That almost seems to be the mantra of my own Life! Happy Birthday Leonard! And to my readers... Have a great day!
Patsy