Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 - October 14, 1990)
Bernstein created a large and varied output despite the much-publicized dramas about his inconstant attention to composing. He became famous for his score (and some lyrics) for the musical West Side Story, a collaboration with other Jewish gay artists (Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim, and Jerome Robbins). He produced compelling, popular scores for ballet (Fancy Free, 1944), an earlier musical (On the Town, 1944), and Hollywood film (On the Waterfront, 1954). Candide slowly gained acceptance; its overture became a ubiquitous performance and recording piece. He produced a virtual violin concerto (Serenade, 1954), symphonies (including The Age of Anxiety,1949), the choral piece Chichester Psalms (1965), the controversial Mass (1971), the disastrous bicentennial musical 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1976), and other works. Continue . . .
Source: Sherry, Michael. "Bernstein, Leonard." Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History in America, edited by Marc Stein, vol. 1, Charles Scribner's Sons, 2004, pp. 136-137. From Gale Virtual Reference database.
From Films On Demand Database:
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