Sony Classical has recently released Bernstein's best work in a new series in celebration of his 80th birthday. A timely release since I had to do this list of recommended listening and Bernstein has made so many recordings! Anyway, hop on for the ride and I'm quite sure you won't go wrong if you are searching for his best.

• BEETHOVEN: Symphony No.4 & No.5; Egmont Overture.
  New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63079
  Symphony No.5 (a.k.a. How to write a good symphony using a recurring dah-dah-dah-DAAAH! motif) seems to be a favourite showpiece. Even Bernstein doesn't go that fast *wink* : )

• BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No.3 & No.5 "Emperor".
  Rudolf Serkin (piano)
  New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63080
  One of the best renditions of the "Emperor". Two musical geniuses at work.

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• COPLAND: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo - Four Dance Episodes; Billy the Kid - Orchestral Suite from the Ballet; Fanfare for the Common Man.
  New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63082

• COPLAND: Symphony No. 3 & No. 1 for Organ and Orchestra.
  E. Power Biggs/New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63155. First release on CD (Symphony No. 3)

  Bernstein's reading of Copland, who was a friend and mentor, is often considered second only to the composer's own. The young Bernstein was already an admirer of Copland's music when they first met at a social gathering. From then on, they became fast friends. Copland, already considered the "Dean of American Music" in those days initiated Bernstein to the musical elite. Bernstein carried on to fame as a conductor and champion of Copland's music. Their relationship was an odd one, for Bernstein (some suspect that fame had got into his head) often criticized Copland's work. He said that Copland's Symphony No.3 was "not a wow, that's all. It was solid, it was serious" in a letter to the composer.

  Copland was always an admirer of Bernstein's many talents and when things were down for Lenny, was always there as a mentor, friend and advisor. When LB conducts Copland's music, there is always this much of understanding, adding a touch of exuberance even in the light of Copland's usual striking economy and transparency of texture. This is most apparent in the Appalachian Spring and the thoughtful Symphony No.3 which I consider superior to Copland's own rendition.

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• MAHLER: Symphony No. 5.
  New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63084
  Undisputably one of Mahler's champions on the podium, Bernstein's Fifth is poignant and a usual favourite.

  

• MAHLER: Symphony No.2 "Resurrection"; Symphony No. 5 (Adagietto); Symphony No.8 "Symphony of a Thousand" (Part I).
  New York Philharmonic
  SM2K 63159. First release on CD
  
  • Symphony No. 2 - 1963 recording:Lee Venora, Jennie Tourell, Collegiate Chorale
  • Symphony No. 5 - Recorded "live" at the funeral for Senator Robert F. Kennedy in St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1968
  • Symphony No. 8 Part I - Recorded "live" at the gala opening night concert of Philharmonic Hall at Lincoln Center in 1962.

  This montage of Mahler favourites features the recording from Senator Kennedy's funeral, an emotionally charged performance that left many stunned and in tears at the loss of a(nother) great American leader who defended Martin Luther King, was chief spokesman for the liberal Democrats, spoke out against President Johnson's Vietnam policy and was killed in 1968. Also, worthy of note, the "Resurrection", a work Bernstein most often conducted. His identifying with the music is uncanny, allowing him to explore the nuances of the music with great passion. I can't do justice here - go listen to it.

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• BERNSTEIN: Candide Overture; Symphonic Dances from West Side Story; Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront; Fancy Free - Ballet Suite. New York Philharmonic. SMK 63085

  (Visit the Bernstein Tribute Page for a review and samples from the Mass)

• BERNSTEIN: Dybbuk (complete ballet). David Johnson, John Ostendorf. New York City Ballet Orchestra. SMK 63090

  Bernstein's Broadway/Hollywood contributions not only revolutionalized music in those fields, but also earned him lots of money! (If LB scored the soundtrack for Titanic...). Candide - a full-scale sparkling musical that was "too sophisticated" for Broadway (anyway, so is Voltaire!). The overture has always been a race to the end for most but here its vibrancy and immaculate precision is amazing. The Oscar-winning On the Waterfront (which LB was accused of stealing the show with his soundtrack!) and West Side Story are featured as Symphonic Suites. Fancy Free is less of a wonder... but listen to Dybbuk ! A ballet by the great Jerome Robbins, where LB combines Jazz elements and Stravinsky's influence.

  

• BERNSTEIN: MASS - A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers
  Alan Titus/Norman Scribner Choir/Berkshire Boys Choir
  SM2K 63089

  MASS is a controversial work. Not a conventional Mass but a theatrical piece that combines Pop music elements as well as Jazz and Coplandish American "Outdoor" musical ideas. Not many have attempted this work probably because of its questionable tastes but I feel that it is a landmark. Well, hear it to decide. (Perhaps like Vaughan William's Magnificat, it is a concert work not meant for liturgical use - Ed.)

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• GERSHWIN: Rhapsody in Blue; An American in Paris
  GROFÉ: Grand Canyon Suite.
  New York Philharmonic/Columbia Symphony Orchestra. Bernstein (piano and conductor)
  SMK 63086
  Here is the "definitive" Rhapsody in Blue as recognized by most. What Bernstein contributes to this is his musical interpretation of a piece that is so fragmented, giving it some shape and development, and his virtuosic piano-playing. As for the latter, despite the many pianists that have attempted the work, Bernstein is the only one who could insert the Jazz style and maintain the classical elements of the work. You will notice that he really takes his time to give the music a personal touch on the piano, and even when leading the orchestra. The only drawback of this release, is the quality of the recording which I doubt has improved much despite the remastering. Still, a MUST for all Gershwin fans.

• HOLST: The Planets, Op. 32. ELGAR: Pomp and Circumstance March No.1. New York Philharmonic. SMK 63087

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• BARBER: Adagio for Strings; Violin Concerto
  W. SCHUMAN: In Praise of Shahn (Canticle for Orchestra); To Thee Old Cause.
  Isaac Stern/New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63088. First release on CD (Schuman)

  Collaboration with violin virtuoso Isaac Stern, linked not only by their Jewish roots but a sincere musicality that is oft unheard. In my opinion, one of the most sublime takes on Barber's Adagio ever.

• BERNSTEIN CONDUCTS GREAT MARCHES by Alford, Arne, Bagley, Berlioz, Bizet, De Lisle, Elgar, Hindemith, Ippolitov-Ivanov, Mendelssohn, Meyerbeer, Miles, Prokofiev, Sousa, Steffe, J.Strauss, Sr., Verdi, J.F. Wagner, Wagner.
  New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63154
  Newly remastered - some selections first release on CD. THIS DISC IS REVIEWED HERE

• BIZET: Carmen Suites Nos.1 & 2; L'Arlésienne Suites Nos.1 & 2.
  New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63081

• W. SCHUMAN: Symphonies No. 3, 5 & 8.
  New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63163. First release on CD

• FOSS: Time Cycle; Phorion; Song of Songs.
  New York Philharmonic
  SMK 63164. World premiere recordings.
  Lukas Foss (b.1922) is a German-born composer-pianist-conductor who settled in the USA in 1937, where he changed his name from Fuchs . His music is both traditional and experimental. Foss was a contemporary of Bernstein and here, some of his best works as premiered by Bernstein. Certainly one of the great contemporary composers.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) American Composer, American Conductor

Adrian Tan is also the chairman of "Lenny's Leapers"...an organization dedicated to introduce the art of Jumping on the Podium to conductors all over the universe.

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019: 4.4.98. up.12.3.2000 ©Adrian Tan

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