Bernstein Century - Bernstein: Prelude, Fugue & Riffs, Etc

$17.99
Label
Sony Masterworks
Release Date
May 30, 2012
Format
Added to Cart! View cart or continue shopping.


    Featuring ⌄
    • PERFORMER
      Bernstein, Columbia Symphony Orchestra
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      May 30, 2012
    • UPC
      074646055922
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      SONY 60559
    • LABEL
      Sony Masterworks
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Concertos
    Works ⌄

    1. Prelude

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Jazz Combo

      Performer: Benny Goodman

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    2. Fugue

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Jazz Combo

      Performer: Benny Goodman

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    3. Riffs

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Jazz Combo

      Performer: Benny Goodman

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    4. I. The Great Lover

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: New York Philharmonic

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    5. II. Lonely Town: Pas de Deux

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: New York Philharmonic

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    6. III. Times Square: 1944

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: New York Philharmonic

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    7. I. Phaedrus - Pausanias: Lento - Allegro

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: New York Philharmonic

      Performer: Zino Francescatti

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    8. II. Aristophanes: Allegretto

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: New York Philharmonic

      Performer: Zino Francescatti

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    9. III. Erixymachos: Presto

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: New York Philharmonic

      Performer: Zino Francescatti

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    10. IV. Agathon: Adagio

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: New York Philharmonic

      Performer: Zino Francescatti

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    11. V. Socrates - Alcibiades: Molto tenuto - Allegro molto vivace

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: New York Philharmonic

      Performer: Zino Francescatti

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    12. I. Enter Three Sailors

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    13. II. Scene at the Bar

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    14. III. Enter 2 Girls

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    15. IV. Pas de deux

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    16. V. Competition Scene

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    17. VI. 3 Variations: Variation 1: Galop

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    18. VI. 3 Variations: Variation 2: Waltz

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    19. VI. 3 Variations: Variation 3: Danzon

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein

    20. VII. Finale

      Composer: Leonard Bernstein

      Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Leonard Bernstein


There's revealing diversity in these pre-'West Side Story' works of Bernstein, as well as harbingers of that landmark musical and film. Among them is the dramatic horn work in the title composition, which also certifies the classical chops and sureness in syncopation of jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman. The modernist flurries of the saxophone arrangements are evocative of the much later work by the avant-garde ROVA ensemble.
The 'Fancy Free' ballet appears along with the "Three Dance Episodes" from 'On the Town,' a 1944 show envisioned by Bernstein and choreographer Jerome Robbins as an extension of 'Fancy Free.' The ballet (reproduced here from a monaural recording) presents a remarkable array of emotional dramas - some with Coplandesque bravado, some with Latin touches of tango and fandango, some with the sassy strut which is so Manhattan. The dances showcase Bernstein's facility at reusing and combining themes, some taken from 'On the Town's' most famous number, "New York, New York" (not to be confused with the John Kander-Fred Ebb song of the same name sung by Liza Minelli in the 1977 film "New York, New York"). The composer conducts with vigor.
By contrast, the 'Serenade' lacks the expected Bernstein lyricism and clear, tight structure, but is interesting in concept and shows off the dynamic palate and authority of violinist Zino Francescatti.