Immerse yourself in the timeless genius of Leonard Bernstein with "West Side Story - The Great Bernstein," a sweeping orchestral journey set for release on February 20, 2025, under Warner Classics. This meticulously curated collection spans a staggering 2 hours and 12 minutes, offering a comprehensive exploration of Bernstein's iconic compositions that have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music.
The album opens with the electrifying "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story," a suite that encapsulates the raw energy and dramatic tension of Bernstein's groundbreaking musical. From the haunting "Prologue" to the exhilarating "Rumble" and the poignant "Finale," each movement is a testament to Bernstein's unparalleled ability to blend orchestral brilliance with theatrical storytelling.
Beyond "West Side Story," the album delves into Bernstein's diverse repertoire, featuring excerpts from "Fancy Free," "Prelude, Fugue and Riffs," and "Candide." The inclusion of "Maria" and "America" from "West Side Story," along with "It Must Be So" from "Candide," showcases Bernstein's knack for crafting melodies that resonate with universal themes of love, conflict, and hope.
The album also highlights Bernstein's symphonic prowess with selections from his "Symphony No. 2 'The Age of Anxiety'," a profound work inspired by W.H. Auden's poem. Each variation of "The Seven Ages" offers a glimpse into Bernstein's introspective and philosophical side, while the "Dirge" and "Masque" movements underscore his mastery of orchestral color and dynamics.
Completing the collection are selections from "Wonderful Town," a musical that exemplifies Bernstein's ability to infuse classical orchestration with the vibrancy of Broadway. Tracks like "Christopher Street," "Ohio," and "One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man" bring to life the charm and wit of New York City, as seen through Bernstein's distinctive lens.
"West Side Story - The Great Bernstein" is not just a tribute to one of the 20th century's most influential composers; it is a celebration of his enduring legacy. Whether you are a seasoned aficionado or a newcomer to Bernstein's music, this album promises an enriching and unforgettable listening experience.
Tracks
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: No. 1, PrologueLeonard Bernstein, Paavo Järvi, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: No. 2, SomewhereLeonard Bernstein, Paavo Järvi, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: No. 3, ScherzoLeonard Bernstein, Paavo Järvi, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: No. 4, MamboLeonard Bernstein, Paavo Järvi, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: No. 5, Cha-chaLeonard Bernstein, Paavo Järvi, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: No. 6, Meeting Scene & No. 7, Cool. FugueLeonard Bernstein, Paavo Järvi, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: No. 8, RumbleLeonard Bernstein, Paavo Järvi, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: No. 9, FinaleLeonard Bernstein, Paavo Järvi, City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Fancy Free: No. 1, Enter Three SailorsLeonard Bernstein, Andrew Litton, Paul Searle-Barnes, Paul Turner, Billie Holiday, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Fancy Free: No. 2, Scene at the BarLeonard Bernstein, Andrew Litton, Paul Searle-Barnes, Paul Turner, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Fancy Free: No. 3, Enter Two GirlsLeonard Bernstein, Andrew Litton, Paul Searle-Barnes, Paul Turner, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Fancy Free: No. 4, Pas de deuxLeonard Bernstein, Andrew Litton, Paul Searle-Barnes, Paul Turner, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Fancy Free: No. 5, Competition SceneLeonard Bernstein, Andrew Litton, Paul Searle-Barnes, Paul Turner, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Fancy Free: No. 6a, Galop VariationLeonard Bernstein, Andrew Litton, Paul Searle-Barnes, Paul Turner, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Fancy Free: No. 6b, Waltz VariationLeonard Bernstein, Andrew Litton, Paul Searle-Barnes, Paul Turner, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Fancy Free: No. 6c, Danzon VariationLeonard Bernstein, Andrew Litton, Paul Searle-Barnes, Paul Turner, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Fancy Free: No. 7, FinaleLeonard Bernstein, Andrew Litton, Paul Searle-Barnes, Paul Turner, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Prelude, Fugue and Riffs: No. 1, Prelude for the BrassLeonard Bernstein, Sharon Kam, George Bühl, London Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Prelude, Fugue and Riffs: No. 2, Fugue for the SaxesLeonard Bernstein, Sharon Kam, George Bühl, London Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: Prelude, Fugue and Riffs: No. 3, Riffs for EveryoneLeonard Bernstein, Sharon Kam, George Bühl, London Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein / Arr. Ramin: West Side Story, Act 1: "Maria"Leonard Bernstein, Die 12 Cellisten der Berliner Philharmoniker
It Must Be So (From "Candide")Leonard Bernstein, Lambert Wilson, Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, John McGlinn
Bernstein: West Side Story, Act 1: "America" (Arr. Kühn for Cello Ensemble)Leonard Bernstein, Die 12 Cellisten der Berliner Philharmoniker
Bernstein: Candide: OvertureLeonard Bernstein, André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra
Bernstein: West Side Story, Act 2: "I Feel Pretty"Leonard Bernstein, Diana Damrau, David Charles Abell, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Bernstein: Rondo for LifeyLeonard Bernstein, Alison Balsom, Tom Poster
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The PrologueLeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Ages. Variation ILeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Ages. Variation IILeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Ages. Variation IIILeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Ages. Variation IVLeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Ages. Variation VLeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Ages. Variation VILeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Ages. Variation VIILeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Stages. Variation VIIILeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Stages. Variation IXLeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Stages. Variation XLeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Stages. Variation XILeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Stages. Variation XIILeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Stages. Variation XIIILeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1: The Seven Stages. Variation XIVLeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 2: The DirgeLeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 2: The MasqueLeonard Bernstein, Antonio Pappano, Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Bernstein: Wonderful Town, Act 1: OvertureLeonard Bernstein, Sir Simon Rattle, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Bernstein: Wonderful Town, Act 1: "Christopher Street" (Tour Guide, Villagers)Leonard Bernstein, Sir Simon Rattle, London Voices, Rod Gilfry, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Bernstein: Wonderful Town, Act 1: "Ohio" (Ruth, Eileen)Leonard Bernstein, Sir Simon Rattle, Audra McDonald, Kim Criswell, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Bernstein: Wonderful Town, Act 1: "Conquering New York" (Ruth, Eileen, First Cadet, Violet, Villagers)Leonard Bernstein, Sir Simon Rattle, Aura McDonald, Kim Criswell, Kimberly Cobb, London Voices, Michael Dore, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Bernstein: Wonderful Town, Act 1: "One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man" (Ruth)Leonard Bernstein, Sir Simon Rattle, Kim Criswell, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Bernstein: Wonderful Town, Act 1: "What a Waste" (Robert, Associate Editors)Leonard Bernstein, Sir Simon Rattle, Carl Daymond, Rod Gilfry, Thomas Hampson, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Bernstein: Wonderful Town, Act 1: "A Little Bit in Love" (Eileen)Leonard Bernstein, Sir Simon Rattle, Audra McDonald, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
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