Leonard Bernstein Box Set DVD

 Wonderful collection
Leonard Bernstein, never shy of the camera, fortunately left a wealth of audio-visual documents of his work in both rehearsals and the concert hall. The medici arts DVD collection at hand is very well done, a handsome booklet included, as it spans 13 years of Lenny’s mature art (1973-1990) and illustrates his collaboration with several orchestras in a variety of works. The two Brahms symphonies (recorded in Jerusalem in August 1973) are splendidly presented with the first-rate Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, brilliantly filmed and in good stereo. Not quite on the same plane, both technically (rather poor film, indifferent sound, less than perfect playing) and in terms of interpretation, is the French program (recorded 1976 and 1981). Bernstein does not really come to grips with the often brooding, monochromatic Franck score, the symphony drags, and the two Milhaud ballet pieces seem rather insignificant. His legendary collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic has been amply documented, and the 1981 Mozart recordings are part of this legacy. He shines as a soloist in the G major concerto K. 453, and the Philharmoniker do the rest very well indeed. From today’s viewpoint, his monumental, “romantic” approach to the E flat major symphony K. 543 seems overblown and heavy-handed, but the clear, transparent textures and inner dynamics are wonderfully brought forth by the Vienna musicians, each one a soloist in his own right. Beethoven’s 9th, recorded with a fine, but perhaps too large pickup group of musicians from several countries on the occasion of the GDR collapse on 25 December 1989 and broadcast around the world, is certainly exciting and an historical document (note the alteration of Schiller’s “Freude” to Bernstein’s “Freiheit” in the finale), but Lenny’s DVD recording with the Vienna Philharmonic (1988) is much more refined, idiomatic and cohesive. The Bruckner Ninth from 1990 is Bernstein at his best: uncompromisingly stark and searing. If you are a Bernstein fan or more generally fascinated by the interaction of great orchestras with a great conductor playing great music, get this box.
Submitted by Gerhard (Salt Lake City, UT, USA) 
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 The definitive Bernstein on DVD
If you're looking for the best overview of Bernstein's artistry as conductor, this is all you'll need. The Israel Philharmonic concert is one of the greatest performances of all time. This box also contains some never before seen concerts of French repertoire. This is the only way to buy it and you'll find this an exceptional price.
Submitted by revueltas (New York, NY)
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