Leonard Bernstein - The Conductor

[Darkbloom]

Which one, Db?

The NY one. I'm open to different ways of interpreting Bruckner, but it sounded totally empty to me.

[jayne lee wilson]

I see that there is a lot of love on this Forum for Bernstein’s Sibelius. One of my earliest recordings was Francescatti/Bernstein in the VC and it’s still my go to for this piece. I was therefore expecting great things when I bought the Sony Bernstein/Sibelius box but I was terribly dissatisfied after 2 playing and haven’t touched it since, but now I can’t remember why. Let’s give it another go.

You're not alone - having recalled my enjoyment of at least some (1 & 5 IIRC) of the earlier Sony Release years before, I bought the 2015 remaster and disliked it so much I sent it back...
Far too rich, heavy and Romantic for me. But I've a near-pathological disposition against such Sibelius - none too fond of Berlin PO/Rattle or the Batiashvili/Barenboim Violin Concerto either....

His Nielsen is a bit of a mixed bag for me for similar reasons, but I did get some pleasure out of the 2nd - and, though I've not revisited it in years and might find it overpowering (in the wrong way) now, I accept the NYPO 5th as something of classic: it certainly overwhelmed me off borrowed vinyl back in the day - along with the polar-opposite Bournemouth SO/Berglund, it was one of the recordings I discovered, and learned to love, Nielsen from.
I wonder if Bernstein ever did the 6th in concert? That might have suited him better.

[Darkbloom]

His Nielsen is a bit of a mixed bag for me for similar reasons, but I did get some pleasure out of the 2nd - and, though I've not revisited it in years and might find it overpowering (in the wrong way) now, I accept the NYPO 5th as something of classic: it certainly overwhelmed me off borrowed vinyl back in the day - along with the polar-opposite Bournemouth SO/Berglund, it was one of the recordings I discovered, and learned to love, Nielsen from.
I wonder if Bernstein ever did the 6th in concert? That might have suited him better.

His 3rd is very enjoyable too. He manages to catch the right balance in the first movement and there's a genuine sense of good humour about it, where others (like Blomstedt) can be a bit tense and humourless. The 4th is the only real misfire in that set, for some reason it never takes off.

[jayne lee wilson]

His 3rd is very enjoyable too. He manages to catch the right balance in the first movement and there's a genuine sense of good humour about it, where others (like Blomstedt) can be a bit tense and humourless. The 4th is the only real misfire in that set, for some reason it never takes off.

But which Blomstedt? The Danish RSO and the SFSO recordings of both No.3 and No.4 are very different (personally, very much prefer the Danish RSO ones ...).
I'm not sure, either, that "good humour", whilst often a part of Nielsen's expression, is the most essential or definitive mood in reference to the wide-ranging, energised, fantastical, imaginative creation that is the Allegro Expansivo of Nielsen's Symphony No.3!

[richardfinegold]

What, I am wondering, about Bernstein and........Mahler?

I thought he was highly regarded for it?

Tom Service is telling me that Mahler's symphonies are pop music.

That I need to place myself in them for their fullest appreciation.

Perhaps Bernstein's lighter West Side Story side helps with that sort of angle?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09h64g4

(Incidentally, if I had to choose just one on the basis of what I know, I reckon it is Mahler 2 but I would be prepared to reassess in a reasonable context)

There has been quite a discussion about Bernstein conducting Mahler in the BAL thread for Mahler Seventh. I gues some of us felt it would be redundant to restate our positions here

[richardfinegold]

You're not alone - having recalled my enjoyment of at least some (1 & 5 IIRC) of the earlier Sony Release years before, I bought the 2015 remaster and disliked it so much I sent it back...
Far too rich, heavy and Romantic for me. But I've a near-pathological disposition against such Sibelius - none too fond of Berlin PO/Rattle or the Batiashvili/Barenboim Violin Concerto either....

His Nielsen is a bit of a mixed bag for me for similar reasons, but I did get some pleasure out of the 2nd - and, though I've not revisited it in years and might find it overpowering (in the wrong way) now, I accept the NYPO 5th as something of classic: it certainly overwhelmed me off borrowed vinyl back in the day - along with the polar-opposite Bournemouth SO/Berglund, it was one of the recordings I discovered, and learned to love, Nielsen from.
I wonder if Bernstein ever did the 6th in concert? That might have suited him better.

Yes, that was the reason...to much LB and not enough JS. I remember buying the Berglund Bournemouth set as an antidote
I just played the Berglund Nielsen 5 for the first time yesterday.,Having purchased the Berglund Icon box. I liked it but the real jolting recording for me remains Horenstein

[Lat-Literal]

There has been quite a discussion about Bernstein conducting Mahler in the BAL thread for Mahler Seventh. I gues some of us felt it would be redundant to restate our positions here

Thank you for this, richardfinegold.

I will have a look at that thread.

[Darkbloom]

But which Blomstedt? The Danish RSO and the SFSO recordings of both No.3 and No.4 are very different (personally, very much prefer the Danish RSO ones ...).
I'm not sure, either, that "good humour", whilst often a part of Nielsen's expression, is the most essential or definitive mood in reference to the wide-ranging, energised, fantastical, imaginative creation that is the Allegro Expansivo of Nielsen's Symphony No.3!

The SF one. I agree that the Danish recordings are much better. I had the first movement in mind mainly. I'm still sticking by 'good humoured', at least when it comes to the outer movements. Even though it's more complicated than that, it still seems like the most robust and approachable of his symphonies.

[BBMmk2]

What, I am wondering, about Bernstein and........Mahler?

I thought he was highly regarded for it?

Tom Service is telling me that Mahler's symphonies are pop music.

That I need to place myself in them for their fullest appreciation.

Perhaps Bernstein's lighter West Side Story side helps with that sort of angle?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09h64g4

(Incidentally, if I had to choose just one on the basis of what I know, I reckon it is Mahler 2 but I would be prepared to reassess in a reasonable context)

You are right, Lat=Lit. Bernstein was very highly regarded for his Mahler interpretations. Look at the wealth of experience he had when he recorded his cycle for DG! I bet there were not many conductors with that amount behind him?

[Lat-Literal]

You are right, Lat=Lit. Bernstein was very highly regarded for his Mahler interpretations. Look at the wealth of experience he had when he recorded his cycle for DG! I bet there were not many conductors with that amount behind him?

Yes, quite.

I think I read that he wasn't especially keen on Bruckner but I don't know if that is true.

[Barbirollians]

Listening to his DG Mahler 3 tonight I am confirmed in my view from the Sony Mahler 3 - Bernstein in a class of his own in this symphony.

[cloughie]

Yes, quite.

I think I read that he wasn't especially keen on Bruckner but I don't know if that is true.

Well he didn't record much!

[BBMmk2]

Well he didn't record much!

If any! I'm still going through that marvellous box set, I mentioned earlier. There are two cycle of LvB's symphonies in there!!! One in Vienna, the other in Boston!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

If any!

The Ninth Symphony - with the NYPO (CBS/SONY) and with the VPO (DG).

I'm still going through that marvellous box set, I mentioned earlier. There are two cycle of LvB's symphonies in there!!! One in Vienna, the other in Boston!

Really???!!! I knew he'd recorded the Seventh Live in Boston at his last ever concert - and IIRC, there's a Boston Fifth (with Serkin in the Emperor - one of LB's very first recordings for DG) - but a complete cycle?

[BBMmk2]

The Ninth Symphony - with the NYPO (CBS/SONY) and with the VPO (DG).


Really???!!! I knew he'd recorded the Seventh Live in Boston at his last ever concert - and IIRC, there's a Boston Fifth (with Serkin in the Emperor - one of LB's very first recordings for DG) - but a complete cycle?

I'm having another look now Ferney it says:-

Here it is
Symphony No.7(Boston SO)
Symphonies Nos 5 & 9: Bavarian RSO.

Many thanks for reminding me, Ferney!