Joshua Bell ~ Bernstein - West Side Story Suite

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
This all-Bernstein disc includes four compositions in addition to the title piece, of which only the "Serenade" was originally written for solo violin and orchestra. John Corigliano made the arrangement of "Make Our Garden Grow," the famous final song from Candide, and William David Brohn, who had long been close to Bernstein's music, arranged two songs from On the Town. His West Side Story Suite is a free adaptation rather than an arrangement; he calls it the greatest adventure of his musical life.

However, the real hero of the recording is Joshua Bell, for whom Sony commissioned the Suite; he collaborated closely with Brohn in its creation and contributed one of the two cadenzas. Not surprisingly, its violin part, as well as those of the other arrangements, are written to his strengths, which seem to be growing and expanding all the time. His virtuosity is breathtaking and he revels in it with unbridled exuberance. His tone is ravishingly beautiful, intense, focused, pure; it can generate a warm glow and a radiant shimmer. His facility and silvery sound in the violin's topmost register have always been particularly striking and are displayed throughout to terrific effect. He handles Bernstein's multifaceted style, rhythm, and idiom with easy, natural mastery. His love and respect for the music come through in his ability to identify with its swiftly changing moods and in his strongly felt, direct expressiveness. --Edith Eisler

Tracks:

West Side Story Suite
Lonely Town
Make Our Garden Grow
-8. Serenade
New York, New York

Amazon.com essential recording

This all-Bernstein disc includes four compositions in addition to the title piece, of which only the "Serenade" was originally written for solo violin and orchestra. John Corigliano made the arrangement of "Make Our Garden Grow," the famous final song from Candide, and William David Brohn, who had long been close to Bernstein's music, arranged two songs from On the Town. His West Side Story Suite is a free adaptation rather than an arrangement; he calls it the greatest adventure of his musical life.

However, the real hero of the recording is Joshua Bell, for whom Sony commissioned the Suite; he collaborated closely with Brohn in its creation and contributed one of the two cadenzas. Not surprisingly, its violin part, as well as those of the other arrangements, are written to his strengths, which seem to be growing and expanding all the time. His virtuosity is breathtaking and he revels in it with unbridled exuberance. His tone is ravishingly beautiful, intense, focused, pure; it can generate a warm glow and a radiant shimmer. His facility and silvery sound in the violin's topmost register have always been particularly striking and are displayed throughout to terrific effect. He handles Bernstein's multifaceted style, rhythm, and idiom with easy, natural mastery. His love and respect for the music come through in his ability to identify with its swiftly changing moods and in his strongly felt, direct expressiveness. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Superb, Magical!.......2002-07-28

I have been fortunate enough to have seen Joshua Bell perform this piece live! He interprets the piece so well, playing tenderly, magically, casually, and with a in-your-face quality that outlines the character of this piece so well. West-Side Story has been interpreted beautifully into a suite almost resembling a Violin Concerto.
The sound quality in this recording is superb and sparkling, as if live.
This is a must-have for any music library.

A Match Made in Heaven.......2002-04-11

Bell and Bernstein seem made for each other as one can hear in this wonderful recording. Bell's playing somehow is absolutely "right" in it's evocation of Bernstein's spirit and no more so than in the "West Side Story" suite. Special mention should go to Brohn (the arranger on this record) for raising the often disparaged technique of "mere" arranging to high art indeed! More than just a medley of tunes, Brohn creates a virtual violin concerto out of Bernstein's unforgettable melodies all without distortion of the source material. The transitions between the sections are astonishing in terms of sheer invention while retaining absolute fidelity to the composer- a remarkable feat! Joshua's playing soars and exalts and his no-holds barred romantic approach cannot fail to connect emotionally with the listener. The hair on the back of my neck stood up during the "Tonight" section both times I heard it. The rest of the CD is very good too. This CD manages the rare trick of creating a commercially succesful offering that is a real and satisying work of art.
Absolutely terrific!

This is what virtuosity sounds like.......2001-12-27

When violin virtuoso Joshua Bell released this album, many in the classical community bemoaned the death of true classical music. Here was one of their foremost musicians "crossing over" into what they termed "pop" music. Such a dismissal does a great disservice to Bell, and, indeed, to Leonard Bernstein.

"West Side Story" may not be a Sibelius concerto, but it is still a beautifully rendered, worthwhile piece of music. Bell's emotive musicianship raises the piece to a new height. His technique is unparalleled, and the pathos he creates during "Maria" and "Somewhere" is just stunning. His gorgeous cadenzas seem like they belonged in "West Side Story" all along, and his playing evokes an impressive range of emotions.

This retooling of "West Side Story" also attests to Leonard Bernstein's staying power. While classical purists mired in the 19th century aim to dimiss Bernstein as just a flash in the pan, the "West Side Story" suite suggests that his music will endure. This is one "crossover" that's worth buying.

I also got one for my doctor--.......2001-10-17

When we saw The Red Violin and we fell madly in love with the film and the music we had to own it. And we do. Then we saw Joshua Bell doing something from the West Side Story CD on Today and had to buy the album. Today I bought another and we're looking to buy more. There are no words to describe this genius. There is nothing to compare the beauty of the sounds that eminate from his talent. He is incomparable. No one ever could equal him. No one has and no one will. We thank him for hours of sheer enchantment found nowhere else. And with all that has happened since September 11, this is the only thing that has rescued us from the depths of hell. Thank you Joshua Bell. May you ring forever and ever and ever.

I also got one for my doctor--.......2001-10-17

Leonard Bernstein / West Side Story Suite / Joshua Bell

Average customer rating:

Leonard Bernstein / West Side Story Suite / Joshua Bell
Joshua Bell
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00005KIZO
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

West Side Story Suite - Joshua Bell, The Philharmonia Orchestra, David Zinman
On the Town/Lonely Town - Joshua Bell, The Philharmonia Orchestra, David Zinman
Candide/Make Our Garden Grow - Joshua Bell, The Philharmonia Orchestra, David Zinman
Serenade After Plato's "Symposium" for Solo Violin, String, S Harp and - Joshua Bell
Serenade After Plato's "Symposium" for Solo Violin, String, S Harp and - Joshua Bell
Serenade After Plato's "Symposium" for Solo Violin, String, S Harp and - Joshua Bell
Serenade After Plato's "Symposium" for Solo Violin, String, S Harp and - Joshua Bell, The Philharmonia Orchestra, David Zinman
Serenade After Plato's "Symposium" for Solo Violin, String, S Harp and - Joshua Bell
On the Town/New York, New York - Joshua Bell, The Philharmonia Orchestra, David Zinman

Average customer rating:

Bernstein: West Side Story Suite
Joshua Bell-violin , Philharmonia Orchestra , and David Zinman-conductor
Manufacturer: Sony Classical
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000MCXE0O

Product Description

1. West Side Story Suite~~~2. "Lonely Town" from On The Town~~~3. "Make Our Garden Grow" from Candide~~~4. Serenade after Plato's "Symposium"~~~5. "New York, New York" from On The Town.

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