Bernstein Conducts Bernstein [Box set]

Leonard Bernstein (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2003)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 7
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B00006L76Y
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,799 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly valuable for what's not duplicated, September 20, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Bernstein Conducts Bernstein (Audio CD)

Once he departed for Europe, Bernstein rarely recorded again in the U.S. These recordings demonstrate his loyalty to the Israel Phil., with whom he duplicated many things he had already recorded in New York. This set is equally a testimonry to his love affair with the Vienna Phil, which sounds a little out of touch in American music. The original recordings from NY on Sony surpass the remakes in vigor and freshness. Even so, it's nice to get the Kaddish Sym. with revised narration, and to hear Gidon Kremer in the Serenade for violin and orchestra.

This 7-disc set also includes later Bernstein compositions that never appeared on Sony, in particular Songest and Jubilee Games. But the singers aren't particularly good in the former recording and the piece isn't very good in the latter. All in all, I think only a Bernstein completist would seek out this collection. Better to stick with the wonderful recordings originally made in New York in Bernstein's heyday.