Bernstein, Leonard (1918 - 1990)

[Pulcinella]

Bernstien's centenary in 2018 should offer plently of opportunities for (re)assessment of him as conductor, educator, and composer.
It is the composer aspects that this thread is devoted to, though it might be interesting if there are also comments on Bernstein as interpreter of his own music.

My first exposure to his 'classical' side was probably in 1968, but I'm not sure if I had heard the Chichester Psalms by then, so I might be misremembering.
I had heard Power Biggs play Copland's Organ Symphony in Liverpool, and sought out his recording, recently released on CBS. The coupling was Bernstein's Serenade, and I was instantly hooked, going on to investigate the symphonies and other works I could find on record.
This is the Copland/Bernstein LP:

https://www.discogs.com/Leonard-Bernstein-Copland-E-Power-Biggs-Zino-Francescatti-New-York-Philharmonic-Organ-Symphony-Seren/master/965020

I know that he is a composer that some people can be quite sniffy about, but I find I need fairly regular doses, and I have some real favourites: The Age of Anxiety is probably top of the list. Facsimile is another firm favourite. However, there are some works that I don't particularly like, Mass being one.

It will be interesting to read what others think.

[Pulcinella]

I was prompted to start the thread after receiving information about the Royal Ballet revival of The Age of Anxiety, as part of a Bernstein Centenary triple bill.

http://www.roh.org.uk/mixed-programmes/new-wayne-mcgregor-the-age-of-anxiety-new-christopher-wheeldon

The performance on 27 March 2018 is being screened live nationwide.
I saw the production first time round, and thought it tremendous, a perfect match of dance to music, and an ending that was everything I had hoped for. (No spoilers!) Thank goodness Bernstein revised the score in 1965 to give us such a wonderful Epilogue.
There are some rehearsal clips that are well worth watching.

http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/the-age-of-anxiety-by-liam-scarlett

and

http://www.roh.org.uk/news/ballet-essentials-ceremony-of-innocence-the-age-of-anxiety-aeternum

[pastoralguy]

I first heard the 'Chichester Psalms' many years ago at an LSO concert conducted by Antonia Pappano. The programme consisted of Tchaikovsky 'Pathetique' Symphony and Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto. The concerto was first up and the featured pianist had become indisposed very shortly before the concert. Another pianist was drafted in at the last moment and played well despite a slight memory lapse in movement one.

After the concerto was there was a huge stage re-set for the Bernstein. I wasn't much interested to be honest but I was captivated by the work AND performance. Towards the end, there's a 'cello solo that was so beautifully played that it's remained in my memory since, maybe, twelve years ago.

I've listened to this work many times and it sent to me investigate other Bernstein works. I have to admit that I've never really taken to his Symphonies but I do feel he's a valid composer with lots to say although I do think he laboured under the influence of Mahler.

[teamsaint]

My first exposure to his music would have been singing the Chichester Psalms,( great experience) .

Anyway,hopefully mention of the Mass will provoke some discussion. It's strange for me, because, despite some of its elements being things that in many cases would send me hastily for the off button, somehow it'sa work I really enjoy.
I think it is mostly about an attempt to do something big, and bold, and perhaps not being afraid of putting the odd nose out of joint.I know Ferney mentioned previously that he feels that LB failed to find ,in this work, an original musical voice ( hope I have paraphrased fairly, Ferney), but I do think he did find, for this work as elsewhere, something identifiably his own.
Anyway, I like it. The only recording of the Mass that I have is the Nagano, so suggestions welcome for alternative.

And great subject for a thread, Pulcers.

[BBMmk2]

I can't remember the first piece I heard by Bernstein But I can honestly say that also, what is my favourite? I rather like his symphonies and his ballet Dybuk(spelling).

[teamsaint]

LIstening to Mass again yesterday, it struck again how much of my enjoyment is down to how well the text works with the music. It's so important that words flow with the music, are set well, and and that's key here. Also, the text has a delicious mix of a stong sense of self awareness, ( more than)a touch of tongue in cheek, as well as real respect for the profundity of the material, and I think that is a mix that isn't easy to find done so expertly elsewhere.

The whole is also, I suppose, very much of it's time, which could be a problem, but isn't for me.
should have gone to that Prom.........

[VodkaDilc]

I first heard the 'Chichester Psalms' many years ago at an LSO concert conducted by Antonia Pappano.

The Tony Pappano I knew 45 years ago would have been highly amused by this. I'm sure he hasn't lost his sense of humour.

[greenilex]

I have the original CBS two disc recording of Mass conducted by LB..

Haven't played it for years, as my machines don't have needles. But I remember loving it at the time, particularly Lauda Lauda Laude.

[Pulcinella]

The only recording of the Mass that I have is the Nagano, so suggestions welcome for alternative.

I have the Naxos one, conducted by Alsop.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Naxos/8559622-23

Good reviews when it was released.

In light of comments here already, I need to give it another hearing.

[VodkaDilc]

The 2012 Prom performance of Bernstein's Mass was one of the most enjoyable Proms I've attended in recent years. I never tire of watching the recording.

[teamsaint]

I have the Naxos one, conducted by Alsop.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Naxos/8559622-23

Good reviews when it was released.

In light of comments here already, I need to give it another hearing.

I picked up a copy of this v cheaply on market place, and listened to ( the first two thirds of it) on my journey today.

If it got good reviews, then they were well deserved. I'm not sure at this stage if it improves significantly on the Nagano, but it is highly listenable, and certainly well sung.

Need to have a proper listen at home though.

[Pulcinella]

Topic for discussion

Has Bernstein's music, and by extension his reputation as a composer, suffered by being given performances and recordings that, for whatever reason, simply do not do it justice?

This is something I've pondered for a while, but have been prompted to post (blame ferney!) following comments on the Cincinnati Proms concert thread.

I happen to think that Bernstein did himself few favours by choosing the Israel Phil for his DG recordings, and generally much prefer his earlier CBS (now Sony: tempted by the latest remastering!) versions.
Does it need the musical equivalent of a linguistic native speaker to give a good performance?
For what it's worth, I don't necessarily feel that all American orchestras/conductors are inherently attuned to his idiom either.

I hope that there will be some comments that are a bit longer than one-word (Yes/No) responses, and if anyone wants to rephrase the question, feel free.
(I think that a similar comment could be made about some of Copland's music, and there are no doubt others too.)

[teamsaint]

Topic for discussion

Has Bernstein's music, and by extension his reputation as a composer, suffered by being given performances and recordings that, for whatever reason, simply do not do it justice?

This is something I've pondered for a while, but have been prompted to post (blame ferney!) following comments on the Cincinnati Proms concert thread.

I happen to think that Bernstein did himself few favours by choosing the Israel Phil for his DG recordings, and generally much prefer his earlier CBS (now Sony: tempted by the latest remastering!) versions.
Does it need the musical equivalent of a linguistic native speaker to give a good performance?
For what it's worth, I don't necessarily feel that all American orchestras/conductors are inherently attuned to his idiom either.

I hope that there will be some comments that are a bit longer than one-word (Yes/No) responses, and if anyone wants to rephrase the question, feel free.
(I think that a similar comment could be made about some of Copland's music, and there are no doubt others too.)

I have a comment and a question.
The question: do you have any specific recordings in mind that you don't feel do his work justice, and , by way of comparison, examples of the same or different works that you do feel do him justice?

My comment,or suggestion actually, based on nothing more than a bit of reasoning, is that I do wonder if his reputation as a composer suffers in comparison to his towering reputation in conducting and analysis. Perhaps too because of his somewhat conservative and eclectic style of composition? maybe also a bit of the " Malcolm Arnold" factor in the industry, with the overwhelming success of WSS, On the Town, etc ?

[Serial_Apologist]

I have a comment and a question.
The question: do you have any specific recordings in mind that you don't feel do his work justice, and , by way of comparison, examples of the same or different works that you do feel do him justice?

My comment,or suggestion actually, based on nothing more than a bit of reasoning, is that I do wonder if his reputation as a composer suffers in comparison to his towering reputation in conducting and analysis. Perhaps too because of his somewhat conservative and eclectic style of composition? maybe also a bit of the " Malcolm Arnold" factor in the industry, with the overwhelming success of WSS, On the Town, etc ?

Not wishing in any way to let Pulchers off the hook, but sometimes one can "hear" an ideal performance in one's head - even without having read the score - by imagining certain things, for instance pausing longer at this particular point, or bringing out given features either more or less, which haven't turned up in any performance. I'm like that with Debussy's piano pieces: if only I had the required technique, etc etc etc...

[Pulcinella]

Well, I asked for it, I suppose! Not that I thought I'd put myself on a hook: more an open question, though ts deserves a reply.

I'm probably suffering from the 'the first recording (in most cases Bernstein's first, CBS) becomes the benchmark' syndrome.

There were several broadcast performances of the WSS fairly recently that (for me) didn't reach that benchmark.

In terms of recordings, I'll have to investigate a bit more deeply, and possibly report back later.
But I don't have that many other recordings of his works than his own (CBS/Sony, DG): amongst them are Alsop in S1 and S2; Litton in S2, Candide overture, and Fancy Free; and de Waart in WSS Symphonic Dances on On the Town. I do have several versions of Chichester Psalms, though, and can't offhand think of one of those that doesn't hit the mark.