Leonid S. Leonardi(1901-1967)
- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Conductor, composer and pianist Leonid Leonardi made his debut at the Russian Imperial Court at age nine, and toured Europe as a concert pianist and guest conductor. He was educated at the Imperial Cadet Institute and the Paris Conservatory (where he was awarded the Prize of Honor), and came to the United States in 1923. He studied with Vincent D'Indy, Maurice Ravel, Nadia Boulanger and Anton Rubinstein, gave concerts in the US, and was a music director for Arthur Hammerstein, the Shuberts, and the Skouras theatre chain in St. Louis, Missouri. During World War II, he was music director at the 11th Naval District in San Diego, California. He conducted Broadway musicals including "Bloomer Girl" and "St. Louis Woman" and was an accompanist for Mimi Benzell between 1950 and 1961. Joining ASCAP in 1948, his chief musical works include 'The Song of America ' (Symphony No. 1 in C).