Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Leonard Bernstein Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra - Mozart Symphonies Nos 40 41 Bernstein (8 tracks) +Album Reviews

Excellent performance

J. Buxton | 11/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have the 1984 release of these performances, and I LOVE that disc. The 40th is one of my favorite pieces, and Bernstein's performance is clear and perfectly paced. The 41st is also a great performance. At this price, the disc is a great buy!"

Bernstein's towering Jupiter - a milestone.

Janos Gardonyi | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 01/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I firmly believe that Leonard Bernstein found his pinnacle as a conductor with his years with the Vienna Philharmonic. After the angry and disgraceful departure of Karajan, the
orchestra welcomed the amicable and enormously talented Bernstein with open arms.They both had a lot to give to each other: VPO its incredible skill,long history of musical tradition, superb virtuosity and sound and Lenny his emotional commitment, interpretive gifts ,( specially in Mahler), plus his talents as a composer. They got along very well. Out of this happy symbiosis this unbelievable recording was born, not the least with the help of Deutsche Gramophone's fine engineers.
To cut the story short: This recording is given a "rosette" by Penguin Guide and is rated as one of the essential discs of the works. From the first note of the Jupiter onward we are captured by the authoritative grip of Bernstein and the rich, full sound of the Philharmonic. All instruments, the strings, winds , the bases come out brilliantly. The incredible last movement of the Jupiter is something I have never heard before, the virtuosity of the orchestra and Berstein's sustained control and command is simply astounding.
The G-minor symphony which is exactly opposite in mood, rhythm and its forces is also a very good performance, just the right tempo at the beginning and light on its feet in the last movement. Top recommendation. Do not hesitate to buy this disc,
sound is remastered digital, but demonstration quality."

The best of the late Bernstein

J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 02/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These performances are consistent with other late recordings from Bernstein, in that he tends to become somewhat ponderous. However, unlike some of his latter day efforts, he holds these two symphonies together very well and it seems he really has something special to say in every phrase. To my ears the Jupiter comes off the best, with speeds taken closer to what has become customary over recent years. Bernstein and the VPO make no effort to pretend these are "period" or "historically informed" performances. In fact, one could almost call this "Romantic" Mozart in some spots, but the important point is that none of the charm associated with Mozart is lost at all. The sound from the VPO here displays all the warmth and character we normally hear from this great orchestra. If you need further recommendation for this recording, it is worth noting that the editors of the Penguin Guide, who usually have very little good to say about Bernstein recordings, have given this disc their highest recommendation in their latest edition. I concur."

Definitive Performances Of Mozart's Final Symphonies

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 12/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unquestionably this is one of the finest CDs showing the excellent chemistry between Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic towards the end of his career. Unlike Bohm's brisk, almost chamberesque, approach to Mozart, these are dense, plodding performances which still retain their magic. Bernstein opts for leisurely tempos, carefully building up climaxes in both works, most notably during the last symphony. The Vienna Philharmonic's performances are absolutely first rate, with much brilliance from its string, wind and horn sections. Although some may find Bohm's interpretations preferable to these, this wonderful recording does contain two of the finest performances ever recorded of Mozart's last two symponies."

Individual

David Saemann | 11/12/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Two of my favorite Mozart recordings are Bernstein's N.Y. Philharmonic recordings of these two symphonies. I have them on a Japanese CD, on LP, and originally on cassette. Nearly 20 years later, Bernstein returned to these pieces with the Vienna Philharmonic, and there are substantial differences. First of all, there are quite a bit more repeats, which I think is all to the good for the structure of these works. Secondly, Bernstein seems to have heard some of the period instruments movement's Mozart. In particular, the brass in the Jupiter are very assertive in a way I never have heard in a modern instruments performance. I find it rather annoying, since it adds little to the orchestral texture. Thirdly, the Vienna is a very different orchestra than the New York. The New Yorkers play with a larger sonority, and an especially biting string sound in contrast to the soft-hued Viennese. Finally, Bernstein's phrasing in Vienna is so much sadder. The slow movement of the Jupiter is considerably slower, and the main theme of the last movement of No. 40 is so fast that it is unnerving. These certainly are interesting, beautifully played and recorded performances, but they don't stand up to repeated hearings as well as Bernstein's more mainstream New York versions."

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