Christopher Parkening · Elmer Bernstein ~ Concerto for Guitar - E. Bernstein · Albeniz · Marshall

Elmer Bernstein (Artist), Isaac Albeniz (Artist), Jack Marshall (Artist), Christopher Parkening (Artist), London Symphoyn Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B00004ZDLL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,173 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars long live tonality, December 30, 2000

By 

DeMonford (richfield, mn USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Parkening · Elmer Bernstein ~ Concerto for Guitar - E. Bernstein · Albeniz · Marshall (Audio CD)

Cheers to Mr Bernstein and Mr Parkening! I purchased this CD because I have been a long time fan of Elmer Bernstein. (Man with Golden Arm and of course, The Ten Commandments) Upon my first listening I too was struck by the "motion picture quality" of the concerto. And at first, thought it a negative. But then I thought I was judging the work on my own point of reference. (motion pictures) well, a hundred years from now people will not be rating this music based on whether it is motion picture music or not. So, I began to listen to it as music, and became enthralled with the composition. Sure, it has it similarities to Aranjuez, and it does get rather bombastic at times, but all in all the concerto is a very solid musical effort. (just pay attention to the various meters in the first movement if you have any question as to whether or not Mr Bernstein knows what he is doing.......and, as far as Mr Parkening is concerned: the man is playing with more soul and maturity today than at any other time. In addition, the La Vega and Essay for guitar(also on the disc) are testimony to the brilliant arranging and writing talents of Jack Marshall. Thank you Mr Bernstein and Mr Parkening.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classical Genius, December 14, 2000

By 

Linda Hartley (Arizona, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Parkening · Elmer Bernstein ~ Concerto for Guitar - E. Bernstein · Albeniz · Marshall (Audio CD)

Startled by the bravado of the opening notes I wondered if I had purchased the wrong CD to experience classical music. What had I heard that made me purchase this in the first place? I had never heard of Christopher Parkening or Elmer Bernstein and the London Symphony Orchestra but saw a tiny glimpse (on TV) of Christopher Parkening "fishing" and discussing his "time out" from music. Happy to hear of your decision to again share your gift with the world Christopher! I love most music but have always been unable to grasp the beauty of classical music. Each time I listen to "Concerto for Guitar" I am "hearing" new expressions that speak to me... but not to my heart or soul...a different feeling...this music speaks to my mind. Beautiful music .... This is beautiful to listen to and the combination of Parkening and Bernstein is delightful...pure genius!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasure all the way through, January 22, 2009

By 

DJ Rix (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Christopher Parkening · Elmer Bernstein ~ Concerto for Guitar - E. Bernstein · Albeniz · Marshall (Audio CD)

Here is one of the few works film composer Elmer Bernstein wrote specifically for the concert hall, with the maestro himself leading the London Symphony Orchestra.

Elmer Bernstein fans will want to know if it sounds like his film music. It does, because that is Bernstein's composing style in the same sense that Aaron Copland's movie music sounds like Copland. But the Concerto is not a set of themes & cues or a concert suite derived from them; it was composed for guitarist Christopher Parkening, an old friend of Bernstein's. Because it showcases acoustic guitar in a Spanish flavor setting, it incidentally calls to mind Bernstein's music for westerns. The thematic material is perhaps not as strong, but then there's no opening credits or love story to underscore; he's serving Parkening's art. The Concerto is skillfully composed & orchestrated in three movements approximating the traditional form of an Allegro, a lyrical Andante, & a spirited Finale, & at points features Bernstein's signature pulsating rhythms & flair for brass. Parkening performs marvelously. A lovely work.

Bernstein & Parkening include a beaufiful Jack Marshall adaptation of a piano work by Issac Albeniz, La Vega, as a tribute to the late L.A. based musician. Marshall (1921-1973) was a prominent guitarist, composer, & arranger (Peggy Lee's Grammy-nominated "Fever").

As an extra treat, The album concludes with Marshall's own "Essay for Guitar," a previously unreleased recording from 1967, & Parkening's first studio recording, conducted by Marshall. Very nice.

Bernstein loved being a film composer, was proud of his film music. He was comfortable with popular music (like the unrelated Leonard), & he was never compelled, like some of Hollywood's older European emigre composers, to keep reminding us that he could compose "pure" art music. Of course, he could. If you enjoy Bernstein & have his best movie soundtracks, you'll want this. We'll have no more "new" music from him, but given the amount of music he composed for documentaries, TV, & special commissions, there is a wealth of Elmer Bernstein to be rediscovered. For such an important figure in American music, he is woefully under-recorded.

This album clearly was a labor of friendship for Bernstein & Parkening, two fine musicians collaborating with care & mutual respect. If Bernstein left this world with any regrets, one was probably for not making more room for projects like this in his busy, fruitful creative life. The album is rather short at 48 minutes, but the music is choice. A pleasure all the way through.