Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue; American in Paris; Bernstein: West Side Story Symphonic Dances

1. Rhapsody in Blue for piano & orchestra (orchestral version by F. Grofé)
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by Ferde Grofe with Garrick Ohlsson

2. Symphonic Dances (9) for orchestra from "West Side Story"
Composed by Leonard Bernstein
Performed by Minnesota Orchestra Conducted by Edo de Waart

3. Dance Episodes (3) from "On the Town"
Composed by Leonard Bernstein
Performed by Minnesota Orchestra Conducted by Edo de Waart

4. An American in Paris, tone poem for orchestra
Composed by George Gershwin
Performed by Minnesota Orchestra Conducted by Edo de Waart

Tracks:

Rhap In Blue - Leonard Bernstein/LAPO
An American In Paris - San Francisco SO/Seiji Ozawa
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: Prologue. Allegro Moderato - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: 'Somewhere'. Adagio - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: Scherzo. Vivace Leggiero - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: Mambo. Presto - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: Cha-Cha ('Maria'). Andante Con Grazia - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: Meeting Scene. Meno Mosso - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: 'Cool' Fugue. Allegretto - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: Rumble. Molto Allegro - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: Finale. Adagio - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
The Stars And Stripes Forever - Boston Pops Orch/Arthur Fiedler
Central Park In The Dark: Molto Adagio - New York Phil/Leonard Bernstein
The Unanswered Question: Largo Molto Sempre - New York Phil/Leonard Bernstein

Tracks:

Adagio, Op.11: Molto Adagio - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Appalachian Spring (Ballet for Martha) - LAPO/Leonard Bernstein
Three Pieces, Op.50: 1st Part - Siegel-Schwall Band/Stuart Canin
Three Pieces, Op.50: 2nd Part - Siegel-Schwall Band/Stuart Canin
Three Pieces, Op.50: 3rd Part - Siegel-Schwall Band/Stuart Canin
The Entertainer - Pasquale Cardillo/Jerome Rosen
Sugar Cane Rag - Pasquale Cardillo/Jerome Rosen
Maple Leaf Rag - Pasquale Cardillo/Jerome Rosen
Treemonisha: We're Goin' Around (A Ring Play) - Kenneth Hicks/Houston Grand Opr Chor
Treemonisha: Aunt Dinah Has Blowed The Horn - Houston Grand Opr Chor

Customer Reviews:

Just As Its Title Says: CLASSICS IN AMERICA.......2004-08-19

OK, so all the "great composers" maybe weren't from Austria, Germany, or Italy. This CD, right here, justifies the quite justifable elitest attitude (also known as "Patriotism"). Maybe another title, "America's Greatest Hits" might have been appropriate, but then, a dunce or two would be whining for "A Horse With No Name," so "Classics" is it. Just look at who and what is represented on these cds: George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" (you might remember THAT if you saw "Fantasia 2000") Leonard Bernstein conducts his own beautiful "Dances From West Side Story" (he also conducted Gershwin). There's John Phillip Sousa's "Stars And Stripes Forever," a piece of music so beautiful, so astoundingly patriotism-inducing that it'd even make a.....democrat stand up with his hand over his heart! The ubquitous (and greatly missed) Bernstein conducts Ives' "Central Park In The Dark," and "The Unanswered Question." And that's just the FIRST CD! CAN you improve on perfection? CD #2 is a resounding YES! Here's Berbstein again conducting Samuel Barber's "Adagio For String," and Aaron Copland's beautiful "Appalachin Spring." And here's where the rest of the cd hits you like an enormous amyl-nitrate rush: Seiji Ozawa conducts the San Francisco Orchestra performing William Russo's unvbelievable "Three Piece For Blues Band And Orchestra." Ozawa, the story goes, enjoyed "going out for a cold one" after orchestra rehearsals, and he was especially was fond of a local blues band, The Seigel-Schwall Band. He commissioned his composer friend, William Russo, to compose something that the Band could could perfom with the orchestra. And I know you're thinking, "OH yeah, Procol Harum Live In Edmonton, 'Conquistador,' yeah." NO: As much as I ADORE Procol Harum, there is NO comparison! The Seigel-Schwall Band was strictly a BLUES band, and Russo - whew! composed three pieces that not only altered, but definitely enhanced the Band's electric blues. Like I'm so fond of saying,"By Alteration, Enhances!" My brother is a classically trained symphonic musician, and one time - wow, 25 years ago - he was playing "Three Pieces" on my battered stereo while I was in the shower. And I couldn't WAIT to "dry off," and run screaming in the romm, "WAHT IS THAT YOU'RE PLAYING?" Trust me on this folks, you won't believe it either - and you'll thank Heaven that it's on a CD, because if it was an album, you'd wear the grroves right out by replaying it over and over. And OLD ON, it ain't finished yet: the remainder of the CD features Arthur Feilder conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra performin 3 of the fantastically-talented but almost unknown, Scott Joplin. You remember that great piano music in the movie,"The Sting?" That was Scott Joplin - and he's represented here with "The Entertainer" (I dare you to keep from tapping your right foot when you listen to this),"The Sugar Cane Rag," and the "Maple Leaf Rag." The cd closes with an undiscovered GEM, excerpts fro Joplin's opera "Tremonshia."
This is pure, undiluted AMERICAN music, people. PLEASE do yourself a favor and put down the metal, the "alt," the rapping, the country 'n western, and even my beloved Rock and Roll for
about 2 and a half hours of some of the most incredible - and not THE LEAST BIT BORING! - Classical Music. Music that AMERICA was responsible for!

Eclectic collection, Russo's Three Pieces first time on CD.......2001-09-23

Eclectic collection of some well known and some previously unavailable works. The first appearance of the complete "Three Pieces for Blues Band and Symphony Orchestra" by Williams Russo and the Siegel-Schwall Band. Excellent recordings. Bargain price.

Bernstein: Symphony Dances from West Side Story; Candide Overture; Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue

Average customer rating:

Bernstein: Symphony Dances from West Side Story; Candide Overture; Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Brahms: Symphony No. 4; Academic Festival Overture; Tragic Overture (Bernstein: The Royal Edition)
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ASIN: B00000DSFJ
Release Date: 1992-07-28

The Original Jacket Collection: Leonard Bernstein

Average customer rating:

A 10-CD box of top Bernstein performances
A Fascinating Overview of Bernstein's Art

The Original Jacket Collection: Leonard Bernstein

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Original Jacket Collection: Vladimir Horowitz
Tchaikovsky: The Complete Symphonies
Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite/Mississippi Suite

ASIN: B00005T7RB
Release Date: 2001-12-04

Tracks:

Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.55 'Eroica': I. Allegro Con Brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.55 'Eroica': II. Marcia Funebre. Adagio Assai - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.55 'Eroica': III. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace; Trio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.55 'Eroica': IV. Finale. Allegro Molto; Poco Andante - Ludwig Van Beethoven
How A Great Symphony Was Written - Leonard Bernstein

Tracks:

Symphonic Dances From West Side Story: Prologue. Allegro Moderato - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances From West Side Story: 'Somewhere.' Adagio - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances From West Side Story: Scherzo. Vivace E Leggiero - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances From West Side Story: Mambo. Presto - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances From West Side Story: Cha-Cha ('Maria'). Andantino Con Grazia - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances From West Side Story: Meeting Scene. Meno Mosso - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances From West Side Story: 'Cool' Fugue. Allegretto - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances From West Side Story: Rumble. Molto Allegro - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances From West Side Story: Finale. Adagio - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Suite From The Film On The Waterfront: Andante (With Dignity) - Presto Barbaro - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Suite From The Film On The Waterfront: Adagio - Allegro Molto Agitato - Alla Breve (Poco Piu Mosso) - Presto Come Prima - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Suite From The Film On The Waterfront: Andante Largamente - More Flowing - Still More Flowing - Poco Meno Mosso - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Suite From The Film On The Waterfront: Moving Forward, With Warmth - Largamente - A Tempo - Calmato - Andante Come Prima - Sempre Avanti, With Intensity - Ancora Piu Mosso - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Suite From The Film On The Waterfront: Allegro Non Troppo, Molto Marcato - Poco Piu Sostenuto - Moving Forward - Meno Mosso - Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Suite From The Film On The Waterfront: A Tempo - Leonard Bernstein

Tracks:

Rodeo: I. Buckaroo Holiday: Allegro Con Spirito - Aaron Copland
Rodeo: II. Corral Nocturne: Moderato - Aaron Copland
Rodeo: III. Saturday Night Waltz: Introduction - Slow Waltz - Aaron Copland
Rodeo: IV. Hoe-Down: Moderato - Aaron Copland
Billy The Kid: Introduction: The Open Prairie (Lento Maestoso) - Aaron Copland
Billy The Kid: Street In A Frontier Town (Moderato) - Aaron Copland
Billy The Kid: Mexican Dance And Finale - Aaron Copland
Billy The Kid: Prairie Night (Card Game At Night) - Aaron Copland
Billy The Kid: Gun Battle - Aaron Copland
Billy The Kid: Celebration (After Billy's Capture) - Aaron Copland
Billy The Kid: Billy's Death - Aaron Copland
Billy The Kid: The Open Prairie Again - Aaron Copland

Tracks:

Rhapsody In Blue - Leonard Bernstein
An American In Paris - George Gershwin

Tracks:

Symphony No. 82, Hob I:82 'The Bear' In C Major: I. Vivace Assai - Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 82, Hob I:82 'The Bear' In C Major: II. Allegretto - Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 82, Hob I:82 'The Bear' In C Major: III. Menuet - Trio - Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 82, Hob I:82 'The Bear' In C Major: IV. Finale. Vivace - Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 83, Hob I:83 'The Hen' In G Minor: I. Allegro Spiritoso - Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 83, Hob I:83 'The Hen' In G Minor: II. Andante - Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 83, Hob I:83 'The Hen' In G Minor: III. Menuet. Allegretto - Trio - Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 83, Hob I:83 'The Hen' In G Minor: IV. Finale. Vivace - Joseph Haydn

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2: I. Andante Moderato - Charles Ives
Symphony No. 2: II. Allegro - Charles Ives
Symphony No. 2: III. Adagio Cantabile - Charles Ives
Symphony No. 2: IV. Lento Maestoso - Charles Ives
Symphony No. 2: V. Allegro Molto Vivace - Charles Ives
Leonard Bernstein Discusses Charles Ives - Leonard Bernstein

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): First Movement: I. Langsam (Adagio) - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): First Movement: I. Nicht Schleppen - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): First Movement: I. Allegro Risoluto, Ma Non Troppo - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): First Movement: I. A Tempo (Sempre L'istesso) - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): First Movement: I. Subito Allegro I. Ziemlich Ruhig - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): First Movement: I. Adagio (Tempo Der Einleitung) - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): First Movement: I. Maestoso. Allegro Come Prima - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Second Movement: II. Nachtmusik I. Allegro Moderato - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Second Movement: II. Sempre L'istesso Tempo. Nicht Eilen, Sehr Gemachlich - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Second Movement: II. Tempo - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Third Movement: III. Scherzo, Schattenhaft, Fliessend, Aber Nicht Zu Schnell - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Third Movement: III. Trio - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Third Movement: III. Wieder Wie Zu Anfang (Nicht Eilen) - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Fourth Movement: IV. Nachtmusik II. Andante Amoroso - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Fourth Movement: IV. [Figure 197] - Raymond Sabinsky
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Fifth Movement: V. Rondo-Finale. Tempo I (Allegro Ordinario) - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Fifth Movement: V. Gemessen! Nicht Schnell! Tempo II (Allegro Moderato Ma Energico) - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Fifth Movement: V. Tempo I (Halbe Wie Die Viertel Des Tempo I) - Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 7, Op. 55 In E Minor (Revised Version): Fifth Movement: V. Sempre L'istesso Tempo - Gustav Mahler

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5, Op. 47 In D Minor: I. Moderato - Dmitri Shostakovitch
Symphony No. 5, Op. 47 In D Minor: II. Allegretto - Dmitri Shostakovitch
Symphony No. 5, Op. 47 In D Minor: III. Largo - Dmitri Shostakovitch
Symphony No. 5, Op. 47 In D Minor: IV. Allegro Non Troppo - Dmitri Shostakovitch

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5, Op. 82 In E-flat Major: I. Tempo Molto Moderato - Largamente - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 5, Op. 82 In E-flat Major: II. Allegro Moderato - Presto - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 5, Op. 82 In E-flat Major: III. Andante Mosso, Quasi Allegretto - Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 5, Op. 82 In E-flat Major: IV. Allegro Molto - Un Pochettino Largamente - Largamento Assai - Jean Sibelius
Pohjola's Daughter, Op. 49 - Jean Sibelius

Tracks:

The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part I, The Adoration Of The Earth: Introduction. Lento - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part I, The Adoration Of The Earth: The Augurs Of Spring (Dance Of The Young Girls) - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part I, The Adoration Of The Earth: Mock Abduction - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part I, The Adoration Of The Earth: Spring Round Dances - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part I, The Adoration Of The Earth: Games Of The Rival Tribes - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part I, The Adoration Of The Earth: Procession Of The Wise Elder - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part I, The Adoration Of The Earth: Adoration Of The Earth (The Wise Elder) - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part I, The Adoration Of The Earth: Dance Of The Earth - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part II, The Sacrifice: Introduction. Lento - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part II, The Sacrifice: Mystical Circles Of The Young Girls - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part II, The Sacrifice: Glorification Of The Chosen Victim - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part II, The Sacrifice: Summoning Of The Ancestors - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part II, The Sacrifice: Ritual Of The Ancestors - Igor Stravinsky
The Rite Of Spring (1913 Version): Part II, The Sacrifice: Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen Victim) - Igor Stravinsky

Customer Reviews:

A 10-CD box of top Bernstein performances.......2005-11-13

This mid-price "Original Jacket" set of classic Bernstien performances--most culled from the Sixties and all iwth the NY Phil.--could be put in a time capsule with a note: "These are the recordings that made Leonard Bernstien famous." I grew up with all of them, including the televized lecture on the Eroica. I have owned these performance since college, and this set includes some first-choice readings, basically all the CDs devoted to Copland, Gershwin, Sibelius, Haydn, Beethoven, and Stravinsky.

Reviewers here never tire of propagating the canard that LB was chiefly famous for his Mahler. Actually, he had a broad repertoire that he excelled in (I don't particularly favor the Mahler Fifth in this set--the only disappointment in a field of excellence).

The only problem with this collection is the price. It would be hard to find a music lover who doesn't already own several of these CDs separately, so instead of paying $100 for a new copy, one should search eBay or the used department here at Amazon.

A Fascinating Overview of Bernstein's Art.......2004-05-16

This collection not only provides a fascinating overview of the art of Leonard Bernstein, it also provides one with a fairly comprehensive view of what Lenny and the controversy surrounding his music making were all about.

All of the recordings here are with Bernstein conducting the New
York Philharmonic, which for my money, is by far the more interesting part of his career. As he got older, Lenny tended to go "molto" more often, take tempoes slower and, generally,
conduct with more self-indulgence than he did at this stage of things, when he was both more daring and more studious. The music contained here gives some idea of the range of Bernstein's
scope, and it is remarkable: from Haydn to Ives, from Beethoven
to Leonard Bernstein.

To start things off, there is one of the best performances of Beethoven's "Eroica" symphony on record, a wonderful document of just how excellent an orchestra the New York Philharmonic could be when they wanted to be. Lenny's reading of Beethoven's milestone score is both meticulous and passionate. You couldn't ask for anything more.

Disk 2 features two suites by the conductor as composer. The
suite from "On the Waterfront" fares better than the "Symphonic
Dances from West Side Story." It's hard to figure out why, but for some reason, the Philharmonic just refuses to swing through the overture ("Jet Song"), while handling all the other rythymic
intricacies in the score with incredible aplomb. The mambo section ("The Dance at the Gym") is particularly intense. Go figure! Just one more example of what a tempermental orchestra
the New York Philharmonic could be.

NOBODY ever conducted Aaron Copland's music better than Leonard
Bernstein. The "Billy the Kid" and "Rodeo" suites contained on Disk 3 provide excellent cases in point.

The Gershwin pieces on Disk 4 give testimony to Bernstein's legendary self-indulgence. Bernstein's rubato is broad and generous, tempoes fluctuate wildly from fast to slow and back again. Lenny seems more intent in showing off his own virtuousity (as both conductor and performer) than in getting to the heart of "Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris." The
odd thing is, for all their quirks and eccentricities, these performances "work." Sometimes they are charming and endearing, at others, they are off-putting. It all depends on the mood you are in.

Disk 5 features two Haydn symphonies, # 82, "The Bear" and # 83, "The Hen." Critical opinion of Bernstein's Haydn is sharply divided: for some tastes, Lenny's Haydn is too dramatic, for others, Bernstein was an instinctively great interpreter of Haydn. Listen here and make your own call.

While Bernstein often gets the credit for generating popular interest in Mahler's music in America (a credit which rightfully belongs to Mitropoulos), there is no question that he "discovered" Charles Ives for most Americans. Bernstein's radio broadcast of Ives' Symphony # 2 was its world premiere, and this recording shows Ives in all his glory. Quirky, polytonal, cantankerous, and funny as hell. A really marvelous
performance.

Disk 7 is given to perhaps Bernstein's favorite composer, Gustav Mahler. Unfortunately, the piece chosen is Mahler's 7th, the "orphan child" of Mahler's symphonies. The so-called "Symphony of the Night" remains more interesting for intellectual and musicological reasons (it was a major influence on Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg) than for emotional ones.
Rarely performed, and even more rarely recorded, this remains one
of the best recordings of this piece out there. It may take many, many listenings before you "get it" and start to like it, but if Lenny can't do it for you, it's doubtful anybody can.

Disk 8 contains Bernstein's controversial recording of the Shostakovich 5th Symphony. This is as rousing and heroic a performance of this music as you will ever hear. Whether that's how Shostakovich intended for it to be played is another matter.
Bernstein takes the tempo of the final movement at exactly double
the pace Shostakovich indicated in the score. The subtle, fatalistic satire of the composer is replaced by the conductor's
preference for triumphant heroism. Still, once you've heard this
recording, all other Shostakovich 5th's pale by comparison.

Disk 9 contains what remain my favorite performances of the Sibelius 5th symphony and "Pohjola's Daughter." The latter is particularly remarkable in its conjuring of magic and mysticism.
It's worth the money for the whole set, just on the basis of the
"Eroica," the Copland, the Stravinsky and these Sibelius performances! No joke!