He was one of the most energetic and versatile of US musicians in the 20th century. His works, which established a vogue for realistic, contemporary themes, include symphonies such as The Age of Anxiety 1949, ballets such as Fancy Free 1944, and scores for musicals, including Wonderful Town 1953, West Side Story 1957, and Mass 1971 in memory of President J F Kennedy. From 1958 to 1970 he was musical director of the New York Philharmonic. Among his other works are the symphony Jeremiah 1944, the ballet Facsimile 1946, and the musicals Candide 1956 and the Chichester Psalms 1965.
