Segerstrom Center to Celebrate Leonard Bernstein
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 8, 2017
C elebrated as one of the most inf l uential musicians and composers of the 20th century, Leonard Bernstein ushered in an era of m ajor cultural transition. He led the way in advocating an open attitude about what constituted good music, actively bridging the gap between classical music, B r oadway musicals, jazz and rock, and he seized new media for its potential to reach diverse communities of listeners, young and old. Longtime conductor of the New York Philharmonic, renowned composer of works for the concert hall and Broadway stage, glamoro us television personality, virtuosic pianist and committed educator, Bernstein was an extravagantly gifted musician with a common touch. He maintained a life - long focus on advocating for social justice, notably civil rights at home and peace around the wor ld. To celebrate the maestro's 100th birthday, Segerstrom Center is pleased to present a tribute to the musical theater masterpieces Bernstein created while honoring the scope and reach of his genius.