Rachmaninoff was a Russian-American composer, pianist and conductor. He had a very successful career as a concert pianist and was regarded as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. After the October Revolution in 1917, he left Russia to settle in New York City. His career in America was primarily as a touring performer and less of a composer, due to the financial need of his family. As a composer, he was one of the last representatives of Russian Romantic music. His music has rich harmonies, colorful orchestration and intense emotions and is often melancholy. Some well-known works include: ‘Symphony No. 2’, ‘Piano Concerto No. 3’, and ‘The Bells’.

Stravinsky was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor. He became a French citizen in 1934, moved to the U.S. in 1939 and became a citizen in 1945. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and has had enduring influence in modern music. His composing career comprises three stages: the Russian period, when his works were underpinned by Russian folk music; the Neoclassicism period, when he returned to the Classical style of music; and the Serial period, when he employed the modern 12-tone method (use all 12 tones vs. previously use 1 or 2 tones as focus points). Some of his most renowned works are ballet music ‘The Firebird’, ‘Petrushka’, and ‘The Rite of Spring’.

Bernstein was an American conductor, composer, pianist and educator. Working as the Music Director and conductor for New York Philharmonic, he was the first American-born conductor to lead a major American symphony orchestra and achieve international acclaim. He was also a dedicated educator. His televised educational program Omnibus and the 53 Young People’s Concerts with the New York Philharmonic effectively brought music education to mass audiences with diverse musical backgrounds. As a composer, his works span many genres such as symphonies, Broadway, film, opera, etc. Many of his works blend classical, jazz and pop together. His best-known music was for Broadway’s ‘West Side Story’, which is still widely performed today.