Leonard Bernstein: An
American Life
Genre: Classical Dates:
1940's - 1970's
I do not have the expertise to describe Bernstein’s work and
importance to my satisfaction, so I will turn it over to the editors of All
Music: “As composer, conductor, and educator, Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
emerged as one of a handful of figures in the twentieth century who truly
changed the face of music. As a composer, Bernstein left a far-reaching legacy
that includes three symphonies, a film score of singular distinction, (On the
Waterfront), and an important body of stage works, including one of the
cornerstones of American musical theater, West Side Story (1957). The first
American-born conductor to attain international superstardom, Bernstein made a
profound impression on audiences; his podium manner was dynamic, even flamboyant,
to an extent never before witnessed. Bernstein's extroverted manner attracted
much criticism from those who dismissed him as a mere exhibitionist; his
advocates, however, far outnumbered his detractors.” This collection allows you
to sample the impressive variety of his output.
Playlist:
1 On the Town, musical:
2 Fancy Free,
ballet: Big Stuff Blues
3 Facsimile, Choreographic
Essay, for orchestra (from the ballet): [Excerpt]
4 Prelude, Fugue & Riffs,
for clarinet & jazz ensemble: Riffs (for Everyone)
5 On the Town, musical: Pas
de deux. Lonely Town
6 On the Town, musical: Lucky
to Be Me
7 Symphony No.1 ('Jeremiah'),
for mezzo & orchestra: Lento. Lamentation
8 On the Town, musical: Some
Other Time
9 Fanfare for the Common Man,
for brass & percussion (from Symphony No. 3)
10 Serenade (after Plato:
Symposium), for violin, harp, percussion & strings; also for violin &
piano: Aristophanes Allegretto
11 Candide,
operetta in 2 acts (original version, withdrawn): The Best of All Possible
Worlds
12 Symphony No.2 ('The Age of
Anxiety'), for piano & orchestra or 2 pianos: The Masque
13 Piano Concerto No. 17 in G
major, K. 453: Allegretto
14 The Unanswered Question (I
& II), for trumpet, winds & string orchestra, S. 50 (K. 1C25)
15 Symphonic Dances (9) from
'West Side Story', for orchestra (orchestrated with Ramin
& Kostal): Somewhere 16 Symphony No. 6 in B minor
('Pathétique'), Op.74: First Movement (excerpt)
17 I Feel Pretty,
song (from 'West Side Story')
18 Mathis der
Maler, symphony (from opera): Engelkonzert
19 Dybbuk,
Suite No.2 (Eight Dances), for orchestra: Kabbalah
Variations
20
21 Songfest, song cycle for 6
singers & orchestra or piano: A Julia de Burgos
22 Meditations (3) from
'Mass', for cello & orchestra; also for cello & piano: Andante sostenuto. Var. 1-4 - Coda 23 Adagietto,
for orchestra (from the Symphony No. 5)
24 Chichester
Psalms, for boy soloist, chorus & orchestra: Psalm 108, 2 / 100
25 Symphony No. 3: Allegro
molto
26 Symphony No. 9 in D minor
('Choral'), Op. 125: Ode to Freedom
27 Candide,
operetta in 2 acts (original version, withdrawn): Make Our Garden Grow
28 Sea Interludes (4) from
Peter Grimes, for orchestra, Op. 33a: Dawn