Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The recording engineer of this CD made changes in the the Grieg selections on this Bernstein/NYP recording. The early LP recording has audible sound in each movement of the Peer Gynt Suites, but good sound is sadly lacking on the CD version. The Sibelius selections are satisfactory, but how the Suite No. 1 of Peer Gynt passed inspection for production is a mystery to me.

Bernstein had a great knack for music that created mood or atmosphere. It was part of his gift as a composer, and it should come as no surprise that he responded to the same thing in other men's works. This is one of the best recordings of the Peer Gynt Suites that I've ever heard. It is exquisitely played by the orchestra, something you can't always take for granted with the N.Y. Philharmonic of the 1960's. The music just flows, with exquisite accents and phrasing. Bernstein's performance of Solveig's Song is a textbook on conducting, as the phrases bend and purl into one another. The other Grieg pieces are gorgeously played and stimulating. As for the Sibelius, Bernstein's way with these works would be hard to surpass. The Valse Triste has great elegance, with The Swan of Tuonela is as movingly played as I've ever heard. The sound engineering, from various locales and dates, is variable, but is always full and clear. These are great recordings that the Bernstein fancier might otherwise overlook.

This is a great CD but I can't hear it unless I turn it way WAY up on my car CD or portable CD player. I'm not sure why. I wanted to hear Morning Mood on my morning commute but can't seem to get it loud enough.

Why did they have to add Sibelius compositions to this CD? How about more
Grieg??? I like the 20 bit sound on these Bernstein Century CDs. Recommended.

If you enjoy these works of Grieg and Sibelius you might find it helpful to know that the Karajan recording is much better than this one.