Search - Leonard Bernstein, Charles Ives, Samuel Barber :: Bernstein's America

From Gershwin to Bernstein and Everybody in Between!

A. Lukas | Spokane, WA | 08/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the recordings that I have heard conducted by Leonard Bernstein, I find this double disc set to be among the best available. It combines his own works such as the Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story" and the classic "On the Waterfront Suite" with great performances of Ives' "Unanswered Question" and Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."Many of these recordings were made live and so these are at the moment performances. I particularly find that the Rhapsody in Blue, which features Bernstein as well as conducting, shows us a little of the jazz man in Bernstein. He doesn't exactly swing as on his other recording of this piece, but he does seem to experiment.His Barber Adagio is especially moving. He manages to move the work slowly to a catharsis at the climax. Much can also be said of Appalachian Spring, which is a work that I have always identified with Bernstein. His performance is unbeatable and since Bernstein was a friend of Aaron Copland's this performance is also authentic.Bernstein's performances of his own works are masterful as usual. Indeed if you want a great Bernstein collection starter at half the price of most, get these two CDs. They will be worth your money."

Almost Flawless

FloydWaters | 07/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For those who are interested in a good overview of Leonard Bernstein's work, as well as his interpretations of other American composers, this two-disc set will serve well as a starting point. Always lively, sometimes even seeming erratic, but always strikingly beautiful, Bernstein's style of conducting is not only an excellent match with his own compositions, but with those of Copland, Ives, Barber, and Gershwin.Overall, most of the performances are excellent, deeply moving. Even the one piece I have a problem with is for the most part an excellent rendition. But, the only warning I must give about this set is this: on "Appalachian Spring", a piece I dearly love, there is a terribly loud and disturbing cough a few minutes before the "Gift to Be Simple" section starts. Perhaps I have a high degree of sensitivity to that kind of flaw, but for me, to have such a horrible noise right at such a sensitive part of the recording is quite an oversight. It's far more than papers shuffling around, which is to be expected. And at such an inopportune moment, it really breaks up the feeling of the piece. Surely a better Bernstein performance could have been chosen, one along the lines of the excellent 1962 rendition with the New York Philharmonic.I certainly don't recommend against this album--in fact, I suggest buying it, given the superb quality of the other compositions, but if you are extremely interested in "Appalachian Spring", don't throw away your old version yet. You may be needing it."

8 Pieces, 4 Orchestras, 1 Incredible Musician

davidsinden | Houston, TX USA | 11/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I received this recording as a gift, and I am extremely pleased with it.This is a great collection of all-American music. The first disc contains four selections from Bernstein's symphonic output. If you haven't heard the Symphonic Suite from "On the Waterfront" you don't know what you are missing. The second disc features music by other well-known American composers, as well as the mysterious "The Unanswered Question" by insurance salesman Charles Ives.Without exception, the sound quality is excellent. You can't go wrong with this collection of great music."