Customer Reviews

Joshua Bell ~ Bernstein - West Side Story Suite

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

To any classical music fan dismayed by the current crossover craze, Joshua Bell's new CD at first raises familiar fears, with its flashy packaging, heavy on glossy photographs of the handsome violinist. Reading the liner notes and actually listening to the recording reveals a quite different and altogether worthy project, which has been unfairly maligned by stuffy publications as the "Strad" magazine.

Composing a virtuoso fantasy using themes from a successful work of musical theater is a time-honored tradition, brought to a peak of brilliance and musical skill by the nineteenth-century pianist and composer Franz Liszt. The title cut on Bell's new CD is not that much different from, say, Sarasate's "Carmen Fantasy," a piece respectfully treated even by the likes of the Strad. By now, "West Side Story" has established itself as one of the great works of the twentieth-century musical stage, ripe for such treatment, particularly in such a spectacularly successful rethinking by Bell and William David Brohn.

Hearing Bernstein's rich melodies in this brilliant, idiomatically composed, constantly surprising setting makes it easy to overlook the inclusion of a substantial original work for violin and orchestra, the Serenade, on this disc, as well as additional settings of his theater music by Brohn and John Corigliano. Bell plays with fiery intensity in the pryotechnical passages and sweet tone in the more lyrical moments. He is well-supported by Zinman's accompaniments, the whole recorded in lush, spacious sonics.

Never mind the Strad and other naysayers--this is a rich and rewarding album that will surprise fans and skeptics of Bell, Bernstein, and crossover alike.

I am not normally a huge fan of 'alternate' versions of any kind of music, especially that of Broadway show scores. But this CD proves me wrong. If you love WEST SIDE STORY and its music which cannot leave your mind for days after you hear it, even if you've heard it and heard it for years and years....then you will be thrilled with William David Brohn's arrangement of alot of the music from the show in his WEST SIDE STORY SUITE for violin and orchestra. Brohn is one of Broadway's finest, most honored arrangers and it shows in this suite. Nothing of Leonard Bernstein's music is tampered with; Joshua Bell's violin sings and the orchestra provides a rich and varied accompaniment. Bell is one of the very few first class violinists of his generation who is equally at home in popular music as well as classical, as Heifitz was. John Corigliano has arranged "Make Our Garden Grow" which is the final song in Bernstein's CANDIDE and it is magnificent. Do I miss the startling and moving entrance of the a cappella choir from the original? Certainly. But this is beautiful music in a lovely arrangement. Before Bell's recording, I had only heard Isaac Stern's performance of Bernstein's SYMPOSIUM. Bell's performance matches (surpasses?) it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

William Brohn, who wrote the West Side Story Suite, has paid a loving tribute to Mr. Bernstein in this lyrical and wonderful piece. Oh, Joshua Bell, I love your interpretation of the music, most especially during the portion devoted to the classic "Maria." West Side Story lovers will never hear better. And, thank you, Mr. Bell, for introducing me to Bernstein's Serenade. I can hardly wait to hear what you do next.

Bell and Bernstein seem made for each other as one can hear in this wonderful recording. Bell's playing somehow is absolutely "right" in it's evocation of Bernstein's spirit and no more so than in the "West Side Story" suite. Special mention should go to Brohn (the arranger on this record) for raising the often disparaged technique of "mere" arranging to high art indeed! More than just a medley of tunes, Brohn creates a virtual violin concerto out of Bernstein's unforgettable melodies all without distortion of the source material. The transitions between the sections are astonishing in terms of sheer invention while retaining absolute fidelity to the composer- a remarkable feat! Joshua's playing soars and exalts and his no-holds barred romantic approach cannot fail to connect emotionally with the listener. The hair on the back of my neck stood up during the "Tonight" section both times I heard it. The rest of the CD is very good too. This CD manages the rare trick of creating a commercially succesful offering that is a real and satisying work of art.
Absolutely terrific!

Like all the reviewers so far I am raving over this disk. When I'm not playing it at home, work, or in the car, I am humming it. Especially that part where Bell plays "Maria". I never knew a Strad could cry, and I have albums by Perlman, Zuckerman, Stern, Frank, Silverstein, et al, many more and great talents. But this is the one I would use to show someone an example of what the violin is capable of.

It's also great to see someone showcase one of our finest American composers, and to have "West Side Story" sound as fresh as when I first saw and heard it.

When violin virtuoso Joshua Bell released this album, many in the classical community bemoaned the death of true classical music. Here was one of their foremost musicians "crossing over" into what they termed "pop" music. Such a dismissal does a great disservice to Bell, and, indeed, to Leonard Bernstein.

"West Side Story" may not be a Sibelius concerto, but it is still a beautifully rendered, worthwhile piece of music. Bell's emotive musicianship raises the piece to a new height. His technique is unparalleled, and the pathos he creates during "Maria" and "Somewhere" is just stunning. His gorgeous cadenzas seem like they belonged in "West Side Story" all along, and his playing evokes an impressive range of emotions.

This retooling of "West Side Story" also attests to Leonard Bernstein's staying power. While classical purists mired in the 19th century aim to dimiss Bernstein as just a flash in the pan, the "West Side Story" suite suggests that his music will endure. This is one "crossover" that's worth buying.

Joshua Bell turns in an extraordinary performance of technical virtuosity, subtlety, and heart. If you loved (as I did) the Alexander Courage fantasy on Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" that Bell also performed, you will definitely want to own this recording. In addition to the outstanding West Side Story Suite, most of the other tracks are excellent, again demonstrating Bell's superb skill. Zinman and the Philharmonia Orchestra deliver consistent and clean performance, well matched to Bell.

I have been fortunate enough to have seen Joshua Bell perform this piece live! He interprets the piece so well, playing tenderly, magically, casually, and with a in-your-face quality that outlines the character of this piece so well. West-Side Story has been interpreted beautifully into a suite almost resembling a Violin Concerto.
The sound quality in this recording is superb and sparkling, as if live.
This is a must-have for any music library.

I first heard the West Side Story suite onboard an airliner; apparently Northwest had an advance-copy arrangement with Sony to publicize the CD; so there I sat blubbering through "Maria" like an idiot. I received my copy today and I must say that the almost 19 minute work is genius both in arrangement and performance. After a few listenings, I realized that I had not been mouthing the words along with the piece as I had originally thought; rather it was Bell's playing that sang through the speakers just as surely as if Carol Lawrence were singing the lyrics. Both Bell and Bill Brohn, who arranged the piece, star equally in this work, which one hopes will become standard concert fare for years to come.

Oh,no! Not another West Side Story rendering. That was my reaction when I first saw this disc on the counter at the store. I own the versions of Empire Brass, Sharon Isbin and the Labeque sisters, and loved each one of them but do I need another version? So I debated for a month whether another WSS disc deserves a spot in my overflowing CD closet. After listening to this CD today, I have decided the answer is an unqualified YES, YES, YES! Mr. Bell's version brings freshness and new excitement to this 50s classic. William Brohn's arrangement is truly stunning. I found the rest of the CD impressive as well, especially John Corigliano's nostalgic arrangement of "Make Our Garden Grow". I highly recommend this CD.