Bernstein: Candide; West Side Story; On the Waterfront; Fancy Free

Leonard Bernstein (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), New York Philharmonic (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: New York Philharmonic
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Leonard Bernstein
• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029XI
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #49,082 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #75 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Overtures

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive version, July 24, 1999

By 

Jonathan Blumhofer (Chicago) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bernstein: Candide; West Side Story; On the Waterfront; Fancy Free (Audio CD)

My initial encounter with the Candide overture was a result of my blundering into a recording of it on the radio one day. The performance turned out to be this one (the first of Bernstein's two readings of it), and having heard several other attempts at it since, I've always found this early '60s version to be the definitive edition. It's breathtakingly quick and the NYPO plays it with such panache and joie de vivre that every other recording (including LB's 1989 run-through with the London Symphony) comes off sounding stale and flat. This disc also contains Bernstein's only recording of the Symphonic Dances from WSS, and here, too, I feel that I have found my definitive reading. The "Mambo" is frenetic, the percusion riffs at the climax of "Cool" are phenomenal, and the last "I have a love..." movement is gorgeous. The score to "On the Waterfront" was nominated for an Academy Award, but lost; this music is still wonderful and very worthy to hear. "Fancy Free" was written by a 25-year old LB in 1944 and is the piece which established him as a composer. From the first four quick rim-shots to the final chords, it's the most endearing, energetic picture of on the go, wartime NY you can imagine. Once again it's the definitive recording: nobody has proven that they can top Lenny and the Philharmonic yet.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing Bernstein snapshot, November 25, 2002

By 

Bruce Hodges (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bernstein: Candide; West Side Story; On the Waterfront; Fancy Free (Audio CD)

If I had to choose five recordings to represent Leonard Bernstein at his absolute best, this would be one of them. Made in the mid-1960's, these recordings have been reissued a number of times, but never sounding as natural as they do here. They show off some of Bernstein's best work as a composer, as well as his inimitable conducting talent and legendary rapport with the New York Philharmonic during that time.

The disc opens with the rollicking overture to "Candide" - totally infectious - and although some other versions (including Bernstein's later one for Deutsche Grammophon) may be its equal, I can think of none that surpass this one in sheer excitement and precision. Ditto for the sizzling suite from "West Side Story," which will probably remain definitive for many years.

The sweeping music from the film "On the Waterfront" is stirringly conducted, and the addition of the sparkling ballet "Fancy Free" makes this disc a serious contender for many "Desert Island" lists. As for the recording itself, the 1960's sound is excellent and quite listenable. Obviously great care has been taken to preserve the original source material after all these years.

If you want to experience the Bernstein legend, this is probably an essential recording.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Music!, December 26, 1999

By 

Noah Lambert "Noah Lambert" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bernstein: Candide; West Side Story; On the Waterfront; Fancy Free (Audio CD)

This CD contains some of the most wonderful music ever written. I love Fancy Free and Candide, and the recordings here are just as they should be, lots of "punch"!