Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
LEONARD BERNSTEIN & JEROME ROBBINS - - - - - - - - - By: Erik Larson - - - - - - - - Leonard Bernstein – August 19, 1918 - October 14, 1990 - Interest in music began at very young age after he was amazed by a piano performance - Took piano until attending Harvard for music, his main passions being composition and conducting - Assistant conductor of the NYPO in 1943, became a well known conductor and orchestral writer - In the mid-40’s, started performing piano concertos and writing ballets, introduction to musical theatre - Broadway debut as a composer was with Wonderful Town in 1953, one of his most popular musicals - Left Broadway in 1976 after 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue became a flop, performing only 7 shows - Focus later in life was composing and conducting symphonies, which he did extensively until death - Other works in theatre include Peter Pan in 1950, operetta Candide in 1956, his own Mass in 1973 - Travelled to conduct countless orchestras allover the world and record piano music - Winner of 16 Grammys, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, 1 Tony, Special Tony Award - Bernstein helped link classical and popular music together into musical theatre scores - Influence to generation of composers, setting new standard for composition complexity in theatre Jerome Robbins – October 11, 1918 - July 29, 1998 - Family’s connections to performers and theatre owners spiked initial interest in musical theatre - Dropped out of University to pursue dancing; studied ballet, modern, Spanish, and composition - Danced in the chorus of many 1940’s Broadway productions, choreographed at dance camps - Within a few years, Robbins became a regular director and choreographer on Broadway - Popularity spiked in 1947 after winning a Tony for his choreography in High Button Shoes - Main choreography work on Broadway during years with Bernstein included 1951’s King And I - Directing and choreographing career continued until his death, replaced his career in performance - Went on to direct and choreograph shows such as Gypsy in 1959, Fiddler On The Roof in 1964 - Left Broadway in early 1970’s to become the ballet trainer at the New York City Ballet in 1972 - 4 Tonys, 2 Oscars, countless lifetime achievement awards for contributions to musical theatre dance - Broke the barriers for the treatment of dancers in the industry, as fellow cast members - Original choreography of Robbins still used in productions of his today as respect for his brilliance - He and Bernstein are both recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors for their contributions to the arts Collaborative Beginnings - The ballet Fancy Free became the first collaboration between Bernstein and Robbins - Robbins conceived the idea, choreographed and danced in ballet, score written by Bernstein in 1944 - Adapted into the Broadway musical On The Town the same year, their Broadway debut as a duo - First of many collaborative efforts for the years to come as their friendship arose - Duo went on to collaborate on the ballets Facsimile in 1946, and Dybbuk in 1974 - Continued to work independently throughout collaborative years, most popular pieces were as a pair West Side Story - Story conceived by Robbins and presented to Bernstein in 1947, a show based off of Romeo & Juliet - During early development between Bernstein and Robbins, Stephen Sondheim hired to write lyrics - Opened on Broadway September 26, 1957 to all-around rave reviews from critics - Directed by Jerome Robbins and marked Sondheim’s Broadway debut, career popularity began - “America”, “Maria”, “Somewhere”, “Something’s Coming” among songs that became popular - 1957 Tony for Robbins’ choreography, 1961 film won 10 Oscars, including Best Picture - Remains one of musical theatre’s greatest works for innovations in musicality and choreography