Leo Ornstein
Leo Ornstein
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Leo Ornstein was a Polish-American pianist, composer, and conductor who went by the name Leon in some of his compositions.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on October 21, 1893, in Kovel, Russian Poland (now Ukraine), Leo Ornstein passed away on February 24, 2002, at the age of 108 in New York City.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Ornstein was a Polish-American pianist and composer who had a long and varied career that spanned over five decades. He is best known for his contributions to modern music and his role as an advocate for contemporary composers.
Early Life and Background
Leo Ornstein was born into a Jewish family in Kovel, Russian Poland (now Ukraine). At the age of four, he began taking piano lessons with his mother, who had herself been trained in music. Ornstein's talent was evident from a young age, and he quickly progressed through the levels of study. In 1908, he moved to Berlin, Germany, where he continued his studies at the Klindworth-Scharwenka Conservatory.
Major Accomplishments
Ornstein is widely regarded as one of the most important pianists of the early 20th century. He premiered over 400 works by contemporary composers and was a key figure in introducing modern music to audiences around the world. Ornstein also composed his own music, including several symphonies, piano concertos, and chamber works.
Notable Works or Actions
In 1925, Ornstein founded the Contemporary Music Society of New York, which aimed to promote contemporary music through performances and publications. He also gave the first American performance of Béla Bartók's Piano Concerto No. 3 in 1938. Throughout his career, Ornstein worked closely with many prominent composers, including Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, and Samuel Barber.
Impact and Legacy
Leo Ornstein had a profound impact on the development of modern music. His advocacy for contemporary composers helped to pave the way for future generations of musicians and ensured that their work was recognized by audiences around the world. Ornstein's own compositions, while not as widely known today, continue to be celebrated for their innovative spirit and technical mastery.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Leo Ornstein is remembered for his tireless advocacy on behalf of modern music and his commitment to bringing new works to audiences around the world. As a performer and composer, he embodied the spirit of innovation that defined the early 20th century. Ornstein's legacy continues to inspire musicians today, who strive to carry on his tradition of promoting contemporary music.
Ornstein's dedication to modern music was not without its challenges. He faced opposition from critics and audiences who were unfamiliar with or resistant to new sounds. Nevertheless, he persevered, convinced that the music of his time had a vital role to play in shaping the cultural landscape of the world. Through his work, Ornstein left an indelible mark on the course of modern music history.
Ornstein's contribution to modern music is undeniable. As a pianist and composer, he embodied the spirit of innovation that defined the early 20th century. His legacy continues to inspire musicians today, who strive to carry on his tradition of promoting contemporary music.
Quotes by Leo Ornstein
By the way, the point between rationality and what we would call the irrational is a very difficult point to establish. There's no specific line, as you know.
To the person that deals in visualizations, I suppose there is something rather exciting about a whole set of people – they all going symmetrically, up or down, in a military sort of precision.
When I was speaking about communicating, I meant that the listener – we have to reach the listener; otherwise, of course, you’re writing the piece, as I say, only for the satisfaction of seeing it on the paper for yourself, and then it ends right there.
No, I think that a person writes a poem because they have an inner urge of something that they want to express, and I think it’s that inner urge that you want to express when you write a piece of music.
I’m really interested in writing a piece of music that will move you, that will really move you. That is really the only reason that I’m writing music.
I think recordings have been a terrific advance because now, when you have a piece of music, particularly something that appears to the listener very complicated, there’s really a push to the world to try to figure out what it was that he was hearing.
You write it down because finally, when it’s written down you do get it out of your system somewhat.