Henry Lewis (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Lewis
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Marilyn Horne and Henry Lewis in 1961, photo by Carl Van Vechten
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| Born | October 16, 1932 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Died | January 26, 1996 (aged 63) New York City, U.S.
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| Occupation | Conductor |
| Years active | 1948–1991 |
| Known for | Directing and conducting: Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra; Los Angeles Philharmonic; New Jersey Symphony Orchestra |
| Spouse(s) |
Marilyn Horne
(m. 1960; div. 1972) |
Henry Jay Lewis (born October 16, 1932 – died January 26, 1996) was an amazing American musician. He was a talented double-bassist and a famous orchestra conductor. His career lasted for more than 40 years.
Henry Lewis was a child prodigy, meaning he was super talented from a young age. At just 16, he joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic. This made him the first African-American musician in a major symphony orchestra. Later, he became the first African-American conductor of a symphony orchestra in the United States. He also led the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra in Europe. He helped America share its culture after World War II.
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Early Life and Musical Start
Henry Jay Lewis was the only child of Henry J. Lewis and Mary Josephine Lewis. His father sold cars, and his mother was a nurse. Henry grew up in Los Angeles. His musical journey began very early, at age five. He learned to play the piano, clarinet, and several string instruments.
His mother saw his natural talent right away. She encouraged him to play with amateur orchestras. His father was not as sure about a music career. At that time, it was hard for African-Americans to find jobs in classical music. But Henry did not give up.
In junior high, he started studying singing and the double bass. He thought playing the double bass might give him more chances. This was because good double-bass players were rare. His amazing skill on the instrument earned him a scholarship. He then went to the University of Southern California.
A Career of Firsts
In 1948, when Henry Lewis was only 16, he joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic. This was a huge step. He became the first African-American musician to play in a major symphony orchestra. After six years with the orchestra, he joined the United States Army in 1954.
While in the Army (1955–1956), he continued to play the double bass. He also conducted the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra. He led them in concerts across Europe. This helped America share its culture after World War II.
Leading Major Orchestras
After leaving the Army in 1957, Lewis returned to Los Angeles. In 1961, he became the assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He worked with famous conductor Zubin Mehta until 1965. Henry Lewis became well-known when he stepped in for another conductor in 1961. He led a performance with his wife, Marilyn Horne, singing. Critics praised his natural talent for leading an orchestra.
From 1963 to 1964, he toured Europe with his orchestra. They were "cultural ambassadors" for the United States. In 1964, he also joined the California Arts Commission.
Henry Lewis was interested in more than just traditional orchestra music. In 1959, he started the String Society of Los Angeles. This group played chamber music. He also became the music director of the Los Angeles Opera. In 1969, he helped start the Black Academy of Arts and Letters. This group worked to support African-American performing arts.
After his time with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lewis became a popular guest conductor. He led famous orchestras like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra.
In 1968, Lewis became the conductor and music director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. He led this orchestra until 1976. He changed the group from a small local ensemble into a nationally recognized orchestra. He greatly increased their concerts and brought in famous soloists. The orchestra even played at famous places like Carnegie Hall.
As the first African-American to lead a major symphony orchestra, Lewis wanted to share music with everyone. He brought classical music to neighborhoods where it was not usually heard. He wanted to show that classical music was for everyone, not just a select few. He even charged only one dollar for some concerts. He encouraged audiences to clap whenever they felt like it, even between songs!
Breaking Barriers in Opera
In 1970, Henry Lewis made an educational film with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This film helped students learn about different instruments in an orchestra. He showed how important the string section is.
In 1972, Henry Lewis made history again. He became the first African-American to conduct at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. His first performance there was Puccini's La bohème. Critics loved his performance. He conducted at The Met from 1972 to 1977. He worked with many famous singers during this time. He also led the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra on a tour to Japan in 1975.
After leaving the New Jersey Symphony in 1976, Lewis traveled a lot. He was a guest conductor for many top opera and symphony groups. These included the Chicago Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. He also conducted in cities like Milan, Paris, and Copenhagen. From 1989 to 1991, he was the main conductor of the Netherlands Radio Symphony. He continued to perform even when he was sick with lung cancer.
His Musical Legacy
Henry Lewis made many recordings throughout his career. These recordings show his wide range of musical interests. He conducted works by famous composers like Ludwig van Beethoven and Gustav Mahler. He also recorded pieces from the early days of symphonic jazz, like George Gershwin's An American in Paris.
In opera, he recorded works by French and German composers. He also recorded Baroque music by Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel with his wife, Marilyn Horne. He even recorded songs from the musical Carmen Jones. Over the years, he recorded more than twenty albums. He worked with many of the world's best singers and pianists.
Awards and Personal Life
Henry J. Lewis received many honors for his amazing contributions to music. In 2015, he was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. His recording with Leontyne Price won a Grammy Award in 1981. He also received several honorary degrees from universities.
From 1960 to 1979, Henry Lewis was married to opera singer Marilyn Horne. She often said he helped her become a better singer. They had a daughter named Angela. Henry Lewis passed away from a heart attack in 1996. He was 63 years old.
Filmography
- The Symphony Sound with Henry Lewis and the Royal Philharmonic – This was an educational film. Henry Lewis and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra made it in 1970.
See also
