A Major Release in The Original Jacket Collection
Celebrates Bernstein In The Composer's Anniversary Year
Includes World-Premiere Recordings From
Bernstein's Historic Years With The New York Philharmonic
A Must-Have Collection For Anyone Who Loves Bernstein's Music,
Available For The First Time As An Integral Release
Sony BMG Masterworks 10-Disc Set Celebrates the ninetieth anniversary of
Bernstein's Birth on August 25, 2008 and the
fiftieth Anniversary of his Appointment as Music Director of the N.Y.
Philharmonic
NEW YORK, Aug. 22 -- The legacy of Leonard Bernstein -- as
a conductor, composer, and music advocator -- in the chronicle and flight
of twentieth century America euphony can hardly be overstated. In this
anniversary year for the composer, Sony BMG Masterworks is cathartic The
Original Jacket Collection: Bernstein Conducts Bernstein -- specially
created to celebrate the 90th anniversary of his birth on August 25, 2008
and the fiftieth anniversary of his appointment as Music Director of the New
York Philharmonic.
The first of a new Carnegie Hall/Sony Masterworks series of CD releases
under the byname of Carnegie Hall Presents, The Original Jacket
Collection: Bernstein Conducts Bernstein heralds the Bernstein Festival
that opens Carnegie Hall's 2008-09 season on September twenty-fourth. Carnegie Hall
and the New York Philharmonic's three-month political platform of events, entitled
Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds, pays tribute to each face of
Bernstein's legacy with 50 concerts and education events. 2008 as well marks
the 65th anniversary of Bernstein's historic Carnegie Hall debut. For more
information on the fete, visit hTTP://www.bernsteinfestival.org.
This 10-disc jell includes all of Bernstein's own authoritative recordings
of his superlative works as a composer -- many recorded with the New York
Philharmonic during his historic years with that orchestra -- from his
first exuberant Broadway musical On the Town and the explosive Symphonic
Dances from West Side Story to his heartbreakingly beautiful "Kaddish"
Symphony and the radiant hope of the Chichester Psalms -- as well as the
complete human race premiere recording of Mass. Most of these are world premiere
recordings, all led by Bernstein -- fascinating documents from a great
composer who was also a great conductor, at the top of his secret plan.
Each platter has been individually repackaged in a sleeve that replicates
the original LP cover nontextual matter. The package includes excerpts from the original
LP lining notes, plus a modern essay by Bernstein biographer, friend and
colleague Humphrey Burton.
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) launched himself into the classical medicine
stratosphere at the age of 25 with a last-minute debut at Carnegie Hall on
November 14, 1943, when he substituted for conductor Bruno Walter in a
programme with the New York Philharmonic. The press and public were smitten
with the flair and style of this quintessential New Yorker. The New York
Times Magazine described the young musician two years subsequently as "a sort of
mixture of Mozart, Toscanini, Horatio Alger hero and Frank Sinatra." That
description hit upon the indelible qualities of Bernstein's glamorous
life history: his authority as a conductor, his charisma as a popular
personality, and, of course of action, his genius as a composer in a immense swathe of
musical styles and genres.
As a composer, Bernstein's mix of musical styles was as brash and
innovative then as it is iconic now. He created trey timeless Broadway
musicals -- On the Town, Wonderful Town and West Side Story -- and some of
the most exciting orchestral music of the geezerhood. From symphonies and ballets
to musical comedies and cheeky song cycles, Bernstein was peradventure the
greatest popular hero in American music for his seamless integration of
classical forms, jazz, cool jive, pop balladry and symphonic grandeur.
The very tincture of his music -- sweet and direct, tawdry and unabashed -- is
uniquely American.
Bernstein's legacies as a composer, conductor and music advocate could
easily stand alone, and often do in popular and decisive assessment, just
taken together they demonstrate how deftly he captive and transformed
contemporary euphony. A release of Leonard Bernstein conducting his have music
is the ultimate tribute to an artist often considered a modern-day
Renaissance man.
RCA Red Seal, Sony Classical, deutsche harmonia mundi, Masterworks
Broadway and Masterworks Jazz are labels of Sony BMG Masterworks. For email
updates and information regarding RCA Red Seal, Sony Classical, deutsche
harmonia mundi, Masterworks Broadway and Masterworks Jazz artists,
promotions, tours and repertoire, please visit hypertext transfer protocol://www.sonybmgmasterworks.com
TRACKLISTING
DISC 1
Overture to Candide
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront
Fancy Free
DISC 2
Jeremiah, Symphony No. 1
The Age of Anxiety, Symphony No. 2 (after W.H. Auden/1965 version) --
Philippe Entremeont, piano
I Hate Music!
La Bonne Cuisine -- Jennie Tourel, mezzo-soprano
DISC 3
The Age of Anxiety, Symphony No. 2 (after W.H. Auden/1949 version)
(mono) -- Lukas Foss, piano
Serenade for Solo Violin, Strings, Harp and Percussion (later on Plato's
"Symposium") (mono) -- Isaac Stern, violin
DISC 4
Kaddish, Symphony No. 3 (To the Beloved Memory of John F. Kennedy) --
Felicia Montealegre, speaker and Jennie Tourel, mezzo-soprano
Chichester Psalms -- John Paul Bogart, alto
DISC 5
Prelude, Fugue and Riffs -- Benny Goodman, clarinet
On The Town (Three Dance Episodes)
Serenade for Solo Violin, Strings, Harp and Percussion (after Plato's
"Symposium") -- Zino Francescatti, violin
Fancy Free (mono)
DISC 6
Dybbuk (Complete Ballet)
DISC 7
Trouble in Tahiti - An Opera in Seven Scenes
Facsimile - Choreographic Essay for Orchestra
DISC 8
On The Town
DISCS 9 & 10
Mass - A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers
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