Leonard Bernstein conducting

[hornteacher]

Here's one which I think you in particular will enjoy: an excellent, excellent recording of the Dvorak Symphony No 7, in Sony's Bernstein Century series. My introduction to the conductor, as hard as it is to believe. He shows admirable restraint throughout, really lets the music sing for itself, until the finale, which really packs a punch!

Ooooooo, must get that.  I LOVE Dvorak's 7th.  I take it this was with NYP?

[bhodges]

This is some great advice as usual.  Thank you.  I do have Bernstein's VPO Schumann cycle on DG which I absolutely love and several of his NYP recordings of his own works and Copland.  I'll be going shopping for some more soon.

That's kind of what I was thinking.  I was looking at the Beethoven Piano Concerto DVDs with Zimerman and his Fidelio DVD.  Anyone have any thoughts on those (or others)?

Since you like his VPO Schumann cycle, and since you are considering DVDs, you might be interested in this 1979 concert from Tokyo, with the Schumann First Symphony and the Shostakovich Fifth.  I bought it mainly for the Shostakovich, which is just searing, but the Schumann is lovingly played; both show the orchestra's great rapport with the conductor.  

--Bruce

[Renfield]

How about the Beethoven?  Apparently he did 3,4, and 5 with Bernstein and then completed the cycle on his own after LB passed away.

This I don't have, for the highlighted reason.

[Brian]

Ooooooo, must get that.  I LOVE Dvorak's 7th.  I take it this was with NYP?

Yes indeed. Coupling is a suite of (slightly cut) orchestral dances from Smetana's The Bartered Bride, which naturally is tons of fun!

I too am watching this thread for recommendations, by the way, being still a bit of a Bernstein newcomer. 

[PerfectWagnerite]

Call me a Lenny shill but everything he recorded is essential IMHO.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I should add that I think that Bernstein's reputation as a conductor has very mightily fallen since his death...

I think that's a premature statement, especially since the flood of reissues (CD, DVD) has continued unabated since his death. All signs to point to a highly marketable (read: popular) podium personality.

This thread also seems to be quite the testimonial to his popularity.

Not to mention Bernstein's minions wouldn't have just thrown in the towel the minute he passed away.

[Daverz]

I forgot his Haydn.  The Paris Symphonies surely, but I'm not familiar with his recordings of the Londons.  He also did some for DG.

[jlaurson]

I forgot his Haydn.  The Paris Symphonies surely, but I'm not familiar with his recordings of the Londons.  He also did some for DG.

His "Creation" (BRSO, Ottobeuren) is, well, Bernsteinean... but then it's got great soloists and Haydn wanted it performed "big", so it might be unwittingly H.I.P. :-)

[Daverz]

His "Creation" (BRSO, Ottobeuren) is, well, Bernsteinean... but then it's got great soloists and Haydn wanted it performed "big", so it might be unwittingly H.I.P. :-)

That reminds me that the Paukenmesse on Philips is excellent.  Looks like this is in the DG Haydn box.

[Bunny]

For me, this recording is the essential of essentials of Leonard Bernstein.  It's the one I play over and over and over.  Nobody does it better...



I also love this one as well:



If you really want to splurge, the these two box sets cover most of the NY recordings.

 

[jlaurson]

For me, this recording is the essential of essentials of Leonard Bernstein.  It's the one I play over and over and over.  Nobody does it better...



I also love this one as well:



If you really want to splurge, the these two box sets cover most of the NY recordings.

Is there some sort of contest going on, on who can deliver the biggest CD covers?
Sometimes, I just think too big is too big.

[Brian]

Is there some sort of contest going on, on who can deliver the biggest CD covers?
Sometimes, I just think too big is too big.

I like that size, but of course, my computer monitor is humongous.

[Renfield]

  I like that size, but of course, my computer monitor is humongous.

Humongous by whose standard, an office worker's, an FPS gamer's, an RTS gamer's, or a movie buff's?


Re Bernstein, I'd like to note that I consider him one of the best conductors as such of the late 20th century, communication aside. It might not be immediately apparent, but in his structural grasp of the music he conducted, he was almost peerless.

For instance, I can't think of another late-20th century conductor who had such a firm grasp on the structure of the Brahms symphonies, even if I don't particularly adore every one of his recordings of them. He knew what he was doing.

Ditto on the Schumann, as another good example. If nothing else, I don't think he'd have conducted and recorded almost all of the core Austro-German symphonic repertory, and almost certainly not with the notoriously selective Vienna Philharmonic.

Even when he seems to stretch the music into something that's not entirely "as intended", it's apparent to me that he does it far more rigorously than might be assumed. (Of course, I am musically untrained, and I might be entirely imagining things; but I don't think I am.)

[Que]

Is there some sort of contest going on, on who can deliver the biggest CD covers?
Sometimes, I just think too big is too big.

I try to keep up with the editing (downsizing), Jens.

Q

[Daverz]

Forgot Liszt's Faust Symphony on Sony.  Bernstein must have thought highly of this work; he recorded it twice.  I haven't heard the later version.

[Sergeant Rock]

Japan! I just ordered the Bruckner 9th Grazioso mentions above from Amazon.de, yesterday, and I'm fairly certain it's a Japanese edition.

Ah....mystery solved.

Sarge

Schumann: I can't believe that ArkivMusic hasn't re-issued (rather: made available on-demand) Bernstein's Sony Schumann yet... the overbearing approach of which quite suits the composer. Bernstein's Schumann on DG is pretty good, too... but in my opinion does not supercede Szell, Barenboim, Sawallisch, or Chailly.

I agree. Bernstein's Schumann doesn't supercede those conductors (Szell goes with me to the desert island) but he is their equal. When I am marooned, I'll be weeping huge tears as I leave Lenny's Schumann behind.

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

  I like that size, but of course, my computer monitor is humongous.

Me too...and for computer monitors that are not so humongous, a larger pic is much easier to see, and read. It's better too for us old farts with poor eyes. I scan my own covers and produce them. I could make them any size I wanted but I prefer 400x400 because everything is clear on screen. I like cover art, I like to see it big. I've only ever heard Que and Jens complain. What are your thoughts, people? If the majority prefer a smaller pic, I'll be happy to oblige.

Sarge

[karlhenning]

This box is no (t much) more expensive than the DSCH 1 & 7 combined - and adds all the Stravinsky (Le Noces is pretty good!) 'for free'. The Seventh remains one of the most thrilling accounts of that work.

Les Noces deserves better than "pretty good."  It's a while since I've heard this of Lenny's . . . partly because I've heard at least four excellent recordings since, and Lenny's is the most grating in [my] memory.

Generally, I share your enthusiasm for this recording of the Leningrad, though I don't know that "one of the most thrilling accounts" is quite the label.

In the sense that I've voted with my purse, I must apparently agree, though, that this is "essential Lenny" 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I should add that I think that Bernstein's reputation as a conductor has very mightily fallen since his death...

Didn't we already cover that?

I'm curious how you arrive at such a conclusion.

Constant reissues plus new issues (mostly DVD), a fast filling GMG thread on the subject, and a fan base that's been around for ages...all spell popular to me.

[Sergeant Rock]

Does that make more - perhaps even consensus-worthy - sense?

Consensus...here at GMG??? You've got to be kidding    I've got a few cents to add to this conversation but have no time now. Mrs. Rock just reminded we have to leave shortly.

Later.

Sarge