Leonard Bernstein 1918-1990

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I had been watching Leonard Bernstein videos recently.  One of my favs is Bernstein upbraiding a student conductor for not admitting his own mistake.  Another of my favs is his telling of his experience learning under Reiner:

Thank you for posting those...quite interesting to watch!

PD

[Leo K.]

I didn't use to like Bernstein's 3rd Symphony "Kaddish" but I respected it, but now today, after again hearing his earlier recording with his wife as the speaker, just totally blew me away, and now I love love love it. It's like the clouds opened and I get it, the speaker is essential and almost a percussive element if done with intent. Because of much that I am hearing in the media lately, the text felt so relevant as ever. The music was crushing and beautiful.

[lordlance]

A new performance of Mass for those interested (a true rarity):

https://vk.com/video/@maximillianrichter?z=video737728344_456240076%2Fpl_737728344_-2

I can share the text for those interested.

[San Antone]

A new performance of Mass for those interested (a true rarity):

https://vk.com/video/@maximillianrichter?z=video737728344_456240076%2Fpl_737728344_-2

I can share the text for those interested.

Jubilant Sykes is one of the better leads in Mass.  His recording with Marin Alsop is probably the 2nd best performance.  I hope these concert forces end up releasing a recording; there are six available, and more new recordings are always welcome. 

Mass is one of my favorite works, of all - and definitely my favorite work by Bernstein.

[Roasted Swan]

I didn't use to like Bernstein's 3rd Symphony "Kaddish" but I respected it, but now today, after again hearing his earlier recording with his wife as the speaker, just totally blew me away, and now I love love love it. It's like the clouds opened and I get it, the speaker is essential and almost a percussive element if done with intent. Because of much that I am hearing in the media lately, the text felt so relevant as ever. The music was crushing and beautiful.

I must admit my "arc" with this piece is the reverse - I really used to love it but now less so.  However, I do think the 1st Bernstein version with Felicia Montealegre and Jennie Tourel is easily the best recording because both those performers are so completely committed to the work. That said a couple of the lines of the spoken text do rather make me cringe.  But somehow that is the deal with Bernstein.