Jaap van Zweden, new NYPO director

[Mirror Image]

Don't forget, they (whoever they might be) didn't always like Lenny in his NYP days. Harold Schonberg, then chief critic at the Times, wrote scathing reviews of Bernstein's podium histrionics and even his interpretations: "Toward the end of the Liszt concerto, he rose vertically into the air, à la Nijinsky, and hovered there a good fifteen seconds by the clock." I'm sorry to say that such attitudes prejudiced me mightily against Bernstein at that time, and as a result I heard him less often live than I might have. And yet those early recordings (the Eroica, the Berg 3 Pieces, the Ravel Concerto where he also played the solo, and of course much of the Mahler), though they might lack the ultimate finesse of some European conductors, now strike me as the work of an extraordinarily vital musician.

In his later days, Bernstein became much more stately and ponderous. One of my last Bernstein live concerts was an NYP Mahler 2 where I left feeling both overwhelmed and at the same time wondering if any other conductor could have gotten away with such a reading.

Bernstein recorded Berg's Three Pieces for Orchestra? Where have I been?

[(poco) Sforzando]

Bernstein recorded Berg's Three Pieces for Orchestra? Where have I been?

It is available only on a 10-CD special edition by the orchestra of historic radio broadcasts, and contains a grab-bag of pieces and conductors:
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1207179

It's not a cheap set, and you may or not find the whole compilation of interest. I will say only that I think this the best performance of the Berg I have ever heard, hands down.

The NYP also issued a 10-CD edition devoted solely to Bernstein:
http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Philharmonic-Bernstein-Live/dp/B000055XDG

[Mirror Image]

It is available only on a 10-CD special edition by the orchestra of historic radio broadcasts, and contains a grab-bag of pieces and conductors:
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1207179

It's not a cheap set, and you may or not find the whole compilation of interest. I will say only that I think this the best performance of the Berg I have ever heard, hands down.

The NYP also issued a 10-CD edition devoted solely to Bernstein:
http://www.amazon.com/New-York-Philharmonic-Bernstein-Live/dp/B000055XDG

Thanks, Sforzando. Yeah, that set is too rich for my blood.

[knight66]

And here, a similar but rather contrasting story. I assume Mr Lebrecht will be moist with pleasure.

_{http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/04/mirga-grazinyte-tyla-conductor-cbso-have-got-it-right-again}



Migra Granzinyte-Tyla, 29 years old, appointed to follow Andris Nelsons to lead The Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Looks like it could be a good match.

Mike

[Brian]

And here, a similar but rather contrasting story. I assume Mr Lebrecht will be moist with pleasure.

_{http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/04/mirga-grazinyte-tyla-conductor-cbso-have-got-it-right-again}



Migra Granzinyte-Tyla, 29 years old, appointed to follow Andris Nelsons to lead The Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Looks like it could be a good match.

Mike

*wins Scrabble*

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

And here, a similar but rather contrasting story. I assume Mr Lebrecht will be moist with pleasure.

_{http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/04/mirga-grazinyte-tyla-conductor-cbso-have-got-it-right-again}



Migra Granzinyte-Tyla, 29 years old, appointed to follow Andris Nelsons to lead The Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Looks like it could be a good match.

Mike

I'm looking forward to hearing how it turns out!

[knight66]

I have been scouting round the net and the tone is universally enthusiastic, which is encouraging. Frustratingly Youtube does not have her conducting any decent stretches of music. But the atmosphere is such a contrast from New York, refreshing.

Mike

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

I have been scouting round the net and the tone is universally enthusiastic, which is encouraging. Frustratingly Youtube does not have her conducting any decent stretches of music. But the atmosphere is such a contrast from New York, refreshing.

Mike

I keep having the feeling that there is a huge amount of snobbery regarding what is happening in New York........the negative attitudes make me feel like they have some kind of wish for someone 'prestigious' with a CV of some massive conductor who is about to retire.

[Brian]

I keep having the feeling that there is a huge amount of snobbery regarding what is happening in New York........the negative attitudes make me feel like they have some kind of wish for someone 'prestigious' with a CV of some massive conductor who is about to retire.

This is quite true across the spectrum of New York arts and culture. Even in athletics, New York teams and players face greater media scrutiny and criticism simply because they play in New York. There are some examples of prominent baseball players failing in New York, leaving to a lower-pressure environment where they feel more free, and doing very well.

[mc ukrneal]

I keep having the feeling that there is a huge amount of snobbery regarding what is happening in New York........the negative attitudes make me feel like they have some kind of wish for someone 'prestigious' with a CV of some massive conductor who is about to retire.

When an organization is being run well, like the Birminghammers, it's easier to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. But when an organization is not being run well, everyone has an opinion. It's the same with sports teams and most businesses. It's not snobbery (perhaps with exceptions here and there) unless you don't consider NY to be the center of the universe. But New Yorkers know it is and act like it is. That's why it's called 'the city' or 'the city that never sleeps'.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

When an organization is being run well, like the Birminghammers, it's easier to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. But when an organization is not being run well, everyone has an opinion. It's the same with sports teams and most businesses. It's not snobbery (perhaps with exceptions here and there) unless you don't consider NY to be the center of the universe. But New Yorkers know it is and act like it is. That's why it's called 'the city' or 'the city that never sleeps'.

To me it's just a big apple. I like mangoes better.

[knight66]

When an organization is being run well, like the Birminghammers, it's easier to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. But when an organization is not being run well, everyone has an opinion. It's the same with sports teams and most businesses. It's not snobbery (perhaps with exceptions here and there) unless you don't consider NY to be the center of the universe. But New Yorkers know it is and act like it is. That's why it's called 'the city' or 'the city that never sleeps'.

Interesting, perhaps New Yorkers have a sense of entitlement to the best and most remarkable available across the arts, sport etc. In Birmingham they really do love that orchestra and they have got the best out of and loyally supported all the conductors who havebeen appointed since Rattle. Having that exceptional hall helps, it is such an asset to the players and to the audience.

Mike

[Brian]

Interesting, perhaps New Yorkers have a sense of entitlement to the best and most remarkable available across the arts, sport etc.

I'd be very easily persuaded that this entitlement is a major factor. Similar how to if many kinds of artist achieve prominence in the United States, they are expected to move to New York.

[mc ukrneal]

I'd be very easily persuaded that this entitlement is a major factor. Similar how to if many kinds of artist achieve prominence in the United States, they are expected to move to New York.

I'm sure you've heard: 'If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere.' And there's a good reason for that.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

I don't want to go to New York so THERE *blows raspberry at the NYC sense of entitlement*

[Brian]

Well well well, look what arrives next month!



(I could have gone to this concert, in theory, but tickets started at $150. So I went to the Houston Symphony's Mahler 3, just 1 week later, for $10 instead.)

I don't want to go to New York so THERE *blows raspberry at the NYC sense of entitlement*

Hey now, I'm going on Wednesday!

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Well well well, look what arrives next month!



(I could have gone to this concert, in theory, but tickets started at $150. So I went to the Houston Symphony's Mahler 3, just 1 week later, for $10 instead.)
Hey now, I'm going on Wednesday!

WTF $150??

[Brian]

WTF $150??

My thoughts exactly! I was very happy to protest by patronizing the rival orchestra. 

[kishnevi]

I don't want to go to New York so THERE *blows raspberry at the NYC sense of entitlement*

Boston is much better. For instance, there is a higher probability of hearing Henningsmusik.

(And I was born there., )

[(poco) Sforzando]

Boston is much better. For instance, there is a higher probability of hearing Henningsmusik.

(And I was born there., )

Well, I was born in New York. So there. (Blows raspberry back.)