Birth

:

December 1, 1916 in Los Angeles, CA

Death

:

June 23, 2004 in Burbank, CA

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Leonard Stein was a renowned classical music artist who made significant contributions to the world of music as a pianist, conductor, and educator. He was born on October 15, 1916, in Los Angeles, California, to a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist, which influenced his early interest in music. Stein began his musical training at an early age, studying piano with his mother and later with renowned pianist and composer Arnold Schoenberg. He also studied composition with Schoenberg, who became his mentor and had a significant impact on his musical career. In 1935, Stein graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied music theory and composition. He then went on to study piano with Eduard Steuermann in New York and later with Artur Schnabel in Europe. Stein's career as a pianist began in the 1940s, where he performed extensively in the United States and Europe. He was known for his interpretations of contemporary music, particularly the works of Schoenberg, Webern, and Berg. He also performed the works of classical composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert. In addition to his career as a pianist, Stein was also a conductor. He founded the Los Angeles Contemporary Repertory Orchestra in 1948, which focused on performing contemporary music. He also conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Stein was also an educator and taught at various institutions throughout his career. He was a professor of music at UCLA from 1949 to 1982, where he taught music theory, composition, and piano. He also taught at the University of Southern California and the California Institute of the Arts. One of the highlights of Stein's career was his association with Schoenberg. He worked closely with Schoenberg and was instrumental in promoting his music. He also edited and published Schoenberg's music and writings, including the book "Style and Idea." Stein's contributions to the world of music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1974, he was awarded the Schoenberg Medal for his contributions to the promotion of Schoenberg's music. He was also awarded the UCLA Medal in 1982, the highest honor bestowed by the university. Stein's legacy in the world of music continues to this day. His recordings and performances are still celebrated, and his contributions to the promotion of contemporary music are still recognized. He passed away on July 27, 2004, at the age of 87, leaving behind a rich musical legacy.

More....