Birth (1918): Leonard Bernstein, composer. His dissonance shaped suspense atmospheres.
As an influence on horror, mystery, and OTR, Leonard Bernstein’s work is often cited for how it translated tension and character into purely aural storytelling. In broadcasts or adaptations, their voice and persona helped shape the way radio conveyed fear and suspense. Collectors still revisit episodes featuring their appearances for the clarity of performance and the period atmosphere they evoke.