Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein was one of twentieth-century music's most successful and recognizable figures. Published to tie in with the hundredth anniversary of Bernstein's birth, this biography provides a concise overview of the life and work of this talented and controversial musician. Drawing on more than thirty years of study, leading Bernstein scholar Paul R. Laird describes Bernstein's work as a conductor, composer, music educator and commentator, evaluating all of his major compositions. Laird also explores the impact of Bernstein's complicated personal life on his professional work, including his homosexuality and his strong yet difficult marriage.