Happy Birthday, Leonard Bernstein!

Leonard Bernstein has long held a place in our hearts as one of America's great composers and conductors. In honor of the 90th anniversary of his birth, the Philadelphia Orchestra, along with world- renowned soloists such as Joshua Bell and Jennifer Koh, has put together some truly timeless and innovative programs together for its Bernstein Festival, taking place from now until early February. In addition to celebrating Bernstein's music, the Philadelphia Orchestra also recognizes his influence on current composers with world premieres of works by one of today's great American composers, Jennifer Higdon. Even if you only know a few works by Bernstein, this festival has some wonderful gems that showcase all that American classical music has to offer.

Bernstein Festival
January 10-15: Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and Higdon's Concerto 4-3
January 14-19: Bernstein's Jeremiah and Higdon's The Singing Rooms
January 24: Never been to an orchestra concert before? Try an Access Concert. Host Thomas Cabaniss pairs up with conductor Christoph Eschenbach and the Philadelphia Orchestra for a guided tour of the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and a look into what makes Bernstein so timeless.
January 31- Feb 2: Three Dance Episodes from Bernstein's On the Town, and Suite from West Side Story
Ticket and venue information: www.philorch.org

Image credit: The Philadelphia Orchestra