Bernstein Century - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Norwegian Dance, March of Dwarfs/ Sibelius: Valse Triste, Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia

Edvard Grieg (Composer), Jean Sibelius (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), New York Philharmonic (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius
• Audio CD (September 29, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000C29D
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,683 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #40 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Dances
  • #53 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Romantic
  • #61 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Tone Poems

Track Listings

1. No. 1, Morning Mood

2. No. 2, The Death of Ase

3. No. 3, Anitra's Dance

4. No. 4, In the Hall of the Mountain King

5. No. 1, "The Abduction - Ingrid's Lament"

6. No. 2, "Arabian Dance"

7. No. 3, "Peer Gynt's Homecoming"

8. No. 4, "Solveig's Song"

9. Norwegian Dance for piano, 4 hands (or solo piano) No. 2 in A major ("A

10. No.4, March of the Trolls

11. Valse Triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1

12. The Swan of Tuonela, tone poem for orchestra (Lemminkäinen Suite No. 3), Op

13. Finlandia, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 26

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These are fabulous performances., June 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bernstein Century - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Norwegian Dance, March of Dwarfs/ Sibelius: Valse Triste, Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia (Audio CD)

These are fabulous performances. Bernstein has the perfect touch with these pieces. The interpetations are powerful, sensitive and searching. The Greig is enchanting and the Sibelius is played to perfection. Bernstein was a great Sibelian and the NYPO gave him their best.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Grieg is ordinary, but the Sibelius items are unforgettable, February 19, 2007

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Bernstein Century - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Norwegian Dance, March of Dwarfs/ Sibelius: Valse Triste, Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia (Audio CD)

Bernstein was a great and devoted Sibelian, on a par with Karajan and Beecham among international maestros. I don't think the reviewers below have much of an idea how exquisite this Swan of Tuonela is, played with total freedom and naturalness; the English horn soloist plays with moving expressivity. Even better is Finlandia, so often a throw away but here performed as if the entire nation of Finland were listening. It's a huge, bravura performance that brings out the brash side of the NY Phil. Bernstein's Valse triste, however, lacks mystery and rpoceeds a bit flat-footedly.

You can find the Finlandia and Swan in other pairings, which might be just as well since Bernstein's Peer Gynt Suite #1 is just a run-through, despite a rousing In the Hall of the Mountain King. It's not in as good sound as the Sibelius items, either.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well played, but lacking in power, May 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bernstein Century - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites, Norwegian Dance, March of Dwarfs/ Sibelius: Valse Triste, Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia (Audio CD)

This is strangely subdued and soft-edged for Bernstein. Granted, the Peer Gynt suites aren't The Rite of Spring, but I was still expecting more fire from Bernstein (which he does find on the brief March of the Trolls). The Sibelius suffers similar problems. The Valse Triste is almost inaudible at times; more boring than sad. The Swan of Tuonela is very well played, particularly the cellos and basses, though again something is lacking. It is certainly atmospheric, but not really eerie or unsettling as I feel it should be. The Finlandia is brought down by the bland brass playing. Check out the Ashkenazy version of this piece, where the horns sound like they are going to rip your head off. In conclusion, this is of interest to fans of the works, particularly at mid-price, but I don't think this will make the music any new fans.