Peer Gynt Suite for orchestra (or piano or piano, 4 hands) No. 1, Op. 4 - Leonard Bernstein, Grieg, Edvard
Peer Gynt Suite for orchestra (or piano or piano, 4 hands) No. 1, Op. 4 - Leonard Bernstein, Grieg, Edvard
Peer Gynt Suite for orchestra (or piano or piano, 4 hands) No. 1, Op. 4 - Leonard Bernstein, Grieg, Edvard
Peer Gynt Suite for orchestra (or piano or piano, 4 hands) No. 1, Op. 4 - Leonard Bernstein, Grieg, Edvard
Peer Gynt Suite for orchestra (or piano or piano, 4 hands) No. 2, Op. 5 - Leonard Bernstein, Sibelius, Jean
Peer Gynt Suite for orchestra (or piano or piano, 4 hands) No. 2, Op. 5 - Leonard Bernstein, Sibelius, Jean
Peer Gynt Suite for orchestra (or piano or piano, 4 hands) No. 2, Op. 5 - Leonard Bernstein, Sibelius, Jean
Peer Gynt Suite for orchestra (or piano or piano, 4 hands) No. 2, Op. 5
Norwegian Dance for piano, 4 hands (or solo piano) No. 2 in A major ("A
No.4, March of the
Valse Triste, for orchestra (from Kuolema), Op. 44/1
The Swan of Tuonela, tone poem for orchestra (Lemminkäinen Suite No. 3), Op
Finlandia, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 26
By the time Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic made the recordings featured here, they had been together for more than a decade. There is a lustiness and power to the playing throughout the orchestra. From the... more » lilt and swagger of Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 to the sensuous humor of Grieg's Norwegian Dance--made memorable for oboist Ralph Gomberg's solo playing--Bernstein brought out the best from this strong and virtuosic orchestra. Here, Sibelius's Valse Triste is all grace and elegance. The Swan of Tuonela is superb for it's dreamlike pacing and the marvelous English horn playing. Finlandia makes a perfect finale. All this music is evocative and it remains in motion every moment, however subtly. --Gwendolyn Freed« less
By the time Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic made the recordings featured here, they had been together for more than a decade. There is a lustiness and power to the playing throughout the orchestra. From the lilt and swagger of Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 to the sensuous humor of Grieg's Norwegian Dance--made memorable for oboist Ralph Gomberg's solo playing--Bernstein brought out the best from this strong and virtuosic orchestra. Here, Sibelius's Valse Triste is all grace and elegance. The Swan of Tuonela is superb for it's dreamlike pacing and the marvelous English horn playing. Finlandia makes a perfect finale. All this music is evocative and it remains in motion every moment, however subtly. --Gwendolyn Freed
"This is strangely subdued and soft-edged for Bernstein. Granted, the Peer Gynt suites aren't The Rite of Spring, but I was still expecting more fire from Bernstein (which he does find on the brief March of the Trolls). The Sibelius suffers similar problems. The Valse Triste is almost inaudible at times; more boring than sad. The Swan of Tuonela is very well played, particularly the cellos and basses, though again something is lacking. It is certainly atmospheric, but not really eerie or unsettling as I feel it should be. The Finlandia is brought down by the bland brass playing. Check out the Ashkenazy version of this piece, where the horns sound like they are going to rip your head off. In conclusion, this is of interest to fans of the works, particularly at mid-price, but I don't think this will make the music any new fans."
These are fabulous performances.
Santa Fe Listener | 06/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These are fabulous performances. Bernstein has the perfect touch with these pieces. The interpetations are powerful, sensitive and searching. The Greig is enchanting and the Sibelius is played to perfection. Bernstein was a great Sibelian and the NYPO gave him their best."
Turn it up!
Libby | Huntington Beach, CA | 02/16/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great CD but I can't hear it unless I turn it way WAY up on my car CD or portable CD player. I'm not sure why. I wanted to hear Morning Mood on my morning commute but can't seem to get it loud enough."
The Grieg is ordinary, but the Sibelius items are unforgetta
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/20/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Bernstein was a great and devoted Sibelian, on a par with Karajan and Beecham among international maestros. I don't think the reviewers below have much of an idea how exquisite this Swan of Tuonela is, played with total freedom and naturalness; the English horn soloist plays with moving expressivity. Even better is Finlandia, so often a throw away but here performed as if the entire nation of Finland were listening. It's a huge, bravura performance that brings out the brash side of the NY Phil. Bernstein's Valse triste, however, lacks mystery and rpoceeds a bit flat-footedly.
You can find the Finlandia and Swan in other pairings, which might be just as well since Bernstein's Peer Gynt Suite #1 is just a run-through, despite a rousing In the Hall of the Mountain King. It's not in as good sound as the Sibelius items, either."