Bernstein Dances: Ballet Revue by John Neumeier

Leonard Bernstein

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Bernstein Dances: Ballet Revue by John Neumeier Review

by AllMusic

The title of this generously filled two-disc set works on three different levels. It refers to a series of dances set to Leonard Bernstein's music, Bernstein's passionate dancing on the podium while conducting and finally, the eternal dance of his music through time.

German choreographer John Neumeier created a dance review in tribute to the music and spirit of the great composer/conductor and this set contains the music used in the production. While not an exhaustive compendium of all the master's music, the staggering scope of Bernstein's genius is evident throughout.

The disc opens with the euphoric Overture to 'Candide' before moving onto the deeply personal "Anniversary: For Susanna Kyle." The 'Anniversaries' are short piano pieces dedicated to Bernstein's loved ones and present an intimate side of the composer. The great symphonic works are represented by "Facsimile," "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story," and the brilliant "Serenade after Plato's Symposium." Bernstein's deep spirituality is evident in "Meditations Nos. 1 and 2" from 'Mass,' played by Mstislav Rostropovich.

The elegant booklet contains photos from the dance production and some wonderful candid shots of Bernstein.

Track Listing - Disc 1

Title/Composer Performer Time Stream
1
Overture to Candide, for orchestra
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 04:21 SpotifyAmazon
Anniversaries (5), for piano
2
Anniversary: For Susanna Kyle
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 02:26 SpotifyAmazon
Peter Pan, incidental music (additional music by Rittman)
3
Who Am I?
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 02:17 SpotifyAmazon
4
Facsimile, Choreographic Essay, for orchestra (from the ballet)
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 19:14 SpotifyAmazon
Wonderful Town, musical in 2 acts
5
What a Waste
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 03:17 SpotifyAmazon
6
A Little Bit in Love
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 02:47 SpotifyAmazon
7
The Wrong Note Rag
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 02:39 SpotifyAmazon
On the Town, musical
8
Lonely Town
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 03:31 SpotifyAmazon
9
Lonely Town - Pas de deux
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 03:14 SpotifyAmazon
Mass, theatre piece for singers, players & dancers
10
A Simple Song
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 04:11 SpotifyAmazon
11
Meditation No. 1, for Cello and Orchestra
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 04:34 SpotifyAmazon
12
So Pretty, song for voice & piano
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 02:29 SpotifyAmazon
Mass, theatre piece for singers, players & dancers
13
Meditation No. 2, for Cello and Orchestra
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 04:08 SpotifyAmazon
West Side Story, musical
14
Something's Coming
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 02:37 SpotifyAmazon

Track Listing - Disc 2

Title/Composer Performer Time Stream
Symphonic Dances (9) from "West Side Story", for orchestra (orchestrated with Ramin & Kostal)
1
Prologue: Allegro moderato
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 04:08 SpotifyAmazon
2
"Somewhere": Adagio
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 04:34 SpotifyAmazon
3
Scherzo: Vivace leggiero
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 01:19 SpotifyAmazon
4
Mambo: Presto
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 02:20 SpotifyAmazon
5
Cha-Cha: Andantino con grazia
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 00:55 SpotifyAmazon
6
Meeting Scene: Meno mosso
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 00:46 SpotifyAmazon
7
"Cool", Fugue: Allegretto
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 03:43 SpotifyAmazon
8
Rumble: Molto allegro
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 01:55 SpotifyAmazon
9
Finale: Adagio
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 03:22 SpotifyAmazon
Wonderful Town, musical in 2 acts
10
The Story of My Life
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 03:42 SpotifyAmazon
Anniversaries (5), for piano
11
Anniversary: For Elizabeth Rudolf
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 01:29 SpotifyAmazon
Serenade (after Plato: Symposium), for violin, harp, percussion & strings; also for violin & piano
12
1. Phaedrus - Pausanias: Lento - Allegro marcato
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 06:47 SpotifyAmazon
Anniversaries (5), for piano
13
Anniversary: For Lukas Foss
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 01:42 SpotifyAmazon
Serenade (after Plato: Symposium), for violin, harp, percussion & strings; also for violin & piano
14
2. Aristophanes: Allegretto
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 04:11 SpotifyAmazon
15
3. Eryximachus: Presto
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 01:28 SpotifyAmazon
Anniversaries (5), for piano
16
Anniversary: For Sandy Gellhorn
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 02:08 SpotifyAmazon
17
Anniversary: For Elizabeth B. Ehrman
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 00:42 SpotifyAmazon
Serenade (after Plato: Symposium), for violin, harp, percussion & strings; also for violin & piano
18
4. Agathon: Adagio
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 06:31 SpotifyAmazon
19
5. Socrates - Alcibiades: Molto tenuto - Allegro molto vivace
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 10:30 SpotifyAmazon
Anniversaries (5), for piano
20
Anniversary: For Susanna Kyle
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein 02:26 SpotifyAmazon
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Bernstein Dances: Ballet Revue by John Neumeier

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