CD REVIEW: Bernstein: West Side Story
This review is rather old, but I just discovered it. It is from the first issue of the webzine hi-fi+ Classical and Audiophile Music review:
Leonard Bernstein: Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs; Facsimile; West Side Story - Symphonic Dances; Divertimento for Orchestra
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Paavo Jarvi, conductor
Virgin Classics 5 45295-2 (68m 23s)
Reviewed by JMH
As a composer, Leonard Bernstein's music is too multi-faceted to be showcased on a single CD. But this one gives a good idea of his brash jazzy side. The exception is the ballet score Facsimile, which Bernstein wrote for Jerome Robbins. The work, premiered in 1946, deals with the dehumanising of contemporary life and is the most 'serious' piece on the disc. The most fun is undoubtedly Prelude, Fugue and Riffs which finds Bernstein at his most extrovert[ed] and outrageous - so far-out at times, it's almost a parody of itself; only Bernstein could write music like this! Paavo Jarvi's performance is not as wild and exaggerated as some, but he treats the music with great respect, and obtains crisp rhythmically-tight playing from the CBSO culminating in a racy exciting conclusion. Jarvi takes the Symphonic Dances more slowly than usual, and the quieter sections have great atmosphere. Overall, his performance is exceptionally cohesive, emphasising the Symphonic nature of the music. Divertimento, written for the Boston Symphony Orchestra's centenary, is a highly eclectic 8 movement mixture of styles, including a smoky sexy Blues - wonderful stuff! The recording sounds crisp and clean, with good clarity and definition yet no obvious spotlighting of instruments.
Leonard Bernstein: Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs; Facsimile; West Side Story - Symphonic Dances; Divertimento for Orchestra
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Paavo Jarvi, conductor
Virgin Classics 5 45295-2 (68m 23s)
Reviewed by JMH
As a composer, Leonard Bernstein's music is too multi-faceted to be showcased on a single CD. But this one gives a good idea of his brash jazzy side. The exception is the ballet score Facsimile, which Bernstein wrote for Jerome Robbins. The work, premiered in 1946, deals with the dehumanising of contemporary life and is the most 'serious' piece on the disc. The most fun is undoubtedly Prelude, Fugue and Riffs which finds Bernstein at his most extrovert[ed] and outrageous - so far-out at times, it's almost a parody of itself; only Bernstein could write music like this! Paavo Jarvi's performance is not as wild and exaggerated as some, but he treats the music with great respect, and obtains crisp rhythmically-tight playing from the CBSO culminating in a racy exciting conclusion. Jarvi takes the Symphonic Dances more slowly than usual, and the quieter sections have great atmosphere. Overall, his performance is exceptionally cohesive, emphasising the Symphonic nature of the music. Divertimento, written for the Boston Symphony Orchestra's centenary, is a highly eclectic 8 movement mixture of styles, including a smoky sexy Blues - wonderful stuff! The recording sounds crisp and clean, with good clarity and definition yet no obvious spotlighting of instruments.
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