Leo Ornstein

Leo Ornstein, a pioneering American composer and pianist, left an indelible mark on 20th-century classical music with his groundbreaking and experimental works. Born in Ukraine in 1893, Ornstein's early piano compositions were unlike anything else in music, employing the piano as a percussion instrument to create savage rhythms and ferocious sounds. His brutal modernist style, as heard in works like "Suicide in an Airplane," pushed the boundaries of traditional classical music and paved the way for modernism. Ornstein's life was as remarkable as his music; he lived to the astonishing age of 109, witnessing both the decline and resurgence of his innovative compositions. With a career that spanned nearly a century, Ornstein's chamber music continues to captivate and challenge audiences, offering a glimpse into the revolutionary spirit of early modernism.