When considering the history of classical music, images of Vienna, Prague, and other European cities often come to mind. Centuries of European musical success and development have implanted in society the idea that classical music is an intrinsically European creation. Considering the achievements of countless composers such as JS Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven and Antonin Dvorak, this preconceived idea is certainly not without foundation. However, Leonard Bernstein's rise to international fame proved that American composers cannot be overlooked in a discussion of the development of Western music. Combining elements from a wide range of musical styles, Bernstein's unique compositions reached a wide audience and often bridged the gaps between distinct musical genres. Through his long career as a conductor, his deeply influential compositions, and his televised music lectures, Leonard Bernstein left a lasting legacy that defined 20th-century American music. Louis Bernstein (as he was originally called) was born on August 25, 1918 in Lawrence, Massachusetts to Ukrainian Jews...