Bernstein: Chichester Psalms

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Commissioned in 1965 by the Dean of Chichester, Bernstein’s colourful Chichester Psalms is one of the composer’s most successful and accessible works on religious texts, contrasting spiritual austerity with impulsive rhythms in a contemplation of peace. The composer fashioned his Oscar nominated score to the 1954 movie On the Waterfront into a symphonic suite, skillfully capturing the oppression of the New York dockyards in the ’50s. The Three Dance Episodes were extracted from the popular On The Town, Bernstein's first successful foray into musical theatre.

Tracks:

Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Academy And Chorus Of St Martin In The Fields
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Zadok The Priest - Ambrosian Singers
Miserere Mei, Deus - Gerald Finley
Veni Creator Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Lacrimosa - London Philharmonic Choir
For Unto Us A Child Is Born - Ambrosian Singers
The Heavens Are Telling - John Shirley-Quirk
Panis Angelicus - Halle Choir
Ave Maria - Groupe Vocal De France
Ode To Joy - The Westminster Choir
Va, Pensiero - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Chorus Of Slave Girls - Chorus Of The National Theatre Of Sophia
Coro De Romanticos - Coro Cantores De Madrid
In Paradisum - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Totus Tuus - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Song For Athene - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Celebration - London Symphony Chorus
Jerusalem - Royal Choral Society

Tracks:

Zion Hort Die Wachter - South German Madrigal Choir
Pleni Sunt Coeli Et Terra - Charles Brett
Hallelujah Chorus - Ambrosian Singers
Thou Knowest, Lord - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Veni Sancte Spiritus - Choir Of The Monks Of The Benedictine Monastery Of Santo Domingo De Silos
Awake The Harp - City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
And Then Shall Your Light Break Forth - New Philharmonia Chorus
L'Adieu Des Bergers - Choeurs Rene Duclos
Agnus Dei - Peter Barley
Cantique De Jean Racine - MONKS AND CHOIRBOYS OF DOWNSIDE ABBEY
Ave Verum Corpus - Schutz Consort
Begluckt Darf Nun Dich, O Heimat - Bavarian State Opera Chorus, Munich
Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie - Chorus Of the Royal Opera House
Laudamus Te - Radio France Chorus
Chichester Psalms - Rachel Masters
The Lamb - Vasari Singers
Agnus Dei - Winchester Cathedral Choir
Requiem Aeternam - Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge
Dies Irae - Philharmonia Chorus
O Fortuna - London Philharmonic Choir
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1 (Land Of Hope Glory) - Royal Choral Society

Customer Reviews:

I love it and I give it as a gift.......2006-12-11

This is the first collection of choral music that I've purchased and I love it. I own copies of operas and requiems and masses, but if you attend choral concerts, as I have been recently, you learn there is a huge colletion of choral music appart from the forms I've been listening to. I appreciate the producers selecting "Song for Athene" by Tavener and "Celebration (Standing Stone)" by McCartney. They are new to me and I love them. Disk 1 ends with "Jerusalem" and Disk 2 ends with "Land of Hope and Glory." As an American I rarely hear these and I am so glad they were included. I believe this album was intended to help popularize choral music and I believe the selections do fine job towards that end.

I know snobs rage against popularizing classical music, but everyone deserves exposure to the beauty of song. I will also mention here "The East Village Opera Company" because they work to popularize opera by setting it to a rock beat. They do a fine job but also get criticized for attempting to popularize classical music.

"The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever" was so popular with my teen-age daughter that it was hard to get it back from her. I give the album as a gift to nephews and nieces.

MarMSED.......2005-08-27

The music selections are extraordinary. The only problem has to do with the balance of sound. There are some parts that are very loud, and some that are so very soft. You have to continually adjust the volume.

Diverse range but the songs are butchered..........2005-07-24

Well, this CD isn't horrible by any stretch, but it is irritating to someone who's more than a casual listener of choral music. I'm by no means as musically "literate" as many reviewers out there, but I have a collection of probably twenty-five or thirty choral CD's and this is one that will probably be gathering dust in the back of the CD book.

The peices are well-performed for the most part, but they are hopelessly edited. Beethoven's Ode to Joy is somewhere around twenty four minutes, but this CD only includes an arrangement of about five minutes. The beautiful Miserere is, uncut, almost eleven minutes but is cut down to five and a half minutes here.

Looking back, I should have realized the major editing that would be involved, just by the sheer number of peices on it. I'm familiar with a great many of them and I know they're too long to fit onto a seventy minute disc without some major cutting going on. I just didn't reason that out before I shelled out the money for it.

Bottom line. This CD has decent singing, but is nothing special. If you're a newcomer to this genre, you might get this as a quick overview of the different types of choral music out there, but if you're any kind of an avid listener, this CD will drive you insane with the severity of the cuts. Beginners, if you're looking for a great collection CD, you'd do better to look at "Choral Moods". It doesn't have the diversity in styles of this one, but it will introduce you to incredibly talented composers. To the old hats out there, steer clear of this one and look to CD's by your preferred individual composers themselves. It's more money, but much less frustration in the long run. The old sayings are sometimes the best: You get what you pay for.

Bernstein: Symphony No. 3 ("Kaddish"); Chichester Psalms

Average customer rating:

Still the Kaddish of choice, probably
Bernstein at His Best
Magnificently Performed
ChichesterPsalms-A choral work or an orchestral work?
Breathtaking!

Bernstein: Symphony No. 3 ("Kaddish"); Chichester Psalms

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Bernstein Century - Symphony No. 1 "Jeremiah" & Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety"
Mass
Bernstein: Candide; West Side Story; On the Waterfront; Fancy Free
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms; Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2
Bernstein Century - Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, etc

ASIN: B000009CYI
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

Kaddish, Symphony No.3 ( To The Beloved Memory Of John F. Kennedy): I : Invocation (Kaddish 1)
Kaddish, Symphony No. 3 ( To The Beloved Memory Of John F. Kennedy): II : Din-Torah (Kaddish 2)
III : Scherzo (Kaddish 3) - Finale. Fugue-Tutti
Chichester Pslams For Chorus And Orchestra: I. Pslam 108(Verse 2) & Psalm 100 ( Complete)
Chichester Psalms For Chorus And Orchestra: II : Pslam 23 (Complete) & Pslam 2 (Verses 1-4)
Chichester Psalms For Chorus And Orchestra: III. Pslam 131 (Complete) & Pslam 133 (verse 1)

Amazon.com

Leonard Bernstein's Kaddish, Symphony No. 3, from 1963 is probably his most famous. It's dedicated to the memory of John F. Kennedy, and comprises spoken and sung texts from Jewish prayers for the dead. It's quite dramatic, very listenable, and not at all pretentious, as some critics have avowed. It ranks with Shostakovich's harrowing Symphony No. 14 and deserves more attention than it usually gets. Which is damned little. The same goes for Bernstein's Chichester Psalms (1964). It's a very engaging choral work that celebrates the practice of psalmody or choral festivals, a kind of celebratory music we don't hear much. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

Still the Kaddish of choice, probably.......2007-01-09

Anyone of a certain age can remember the flap caused by the premiere of Bernstein's Sym. #3 "Kaddish," which contains the composer's personal argument with God, as narrated by his wife, Felicia Montelegre. The text is full of ego and blather, and it created the first huge embarrassment for a beloved icon of American music. He would go on the decline as a composer and a public figure soon thereafter, with even more embarrassment over Mass, his ecumenical-hippie memorial to John F. Kennedy.

HOw does Kaddish sound in retrospect? It's still full of ego and blather, but that's part of LB's legacy. His estate has tried to soften the Lenny-give-it-to-God aspect by approving several revisions of the text, one of which LB himself conducts on DG. But why? The original is a rip-roaring show, and LB condeucts as if the world were coming to an end. The music in his first two symphonies is better by far, but Kaddish remains worthwhile. Chichester Psalms is a piece that has survived better, even if it is a direct imitation of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms. The composer's recording is more or less definitive. I am giving 5 stars to the performances--you'll have to assess the music on your own.

Bernstein at His Best.......2006-03-03

This recording is a digital remastering of the two works, as originally recorded and issued on Columbia records. I listened to my old, now broken-down vinyl copies again and again, and am very pleased to have the works on CD. The performances are stunning and authoritative; the singing and the playing, exquisite; and the music, electrifyingly dramatic. This album is well worth owning!

Magnificently Performed.......2003-02-05

Leonard Bernstein's Kaddish Symphony is a powerful mass reflected on a Jewish background. With both the composer who is a Jewish American, and the first Cathloic president John F. Kennedy, whom Bernstein dedicated the music to after the tragic assisination, being pious believers of heritage, it's partly fit to empasize and create this "requiem" based on the pure Jewish heritage.

Bernstein's Kaddish is an incredibly powerful piece. Although it's hard to understand the Jewish words sung by the choir, the music itself shows its emotions of savagry, pain, and lament, and to top it off, the narrating voice of the music, played by Bernstin's wife, is more than enough to give importance to the "deep sense of kinship and loss that Bernstein felt" after the president had died. The words can show how remorseful Bernstein, and his wife, must have been.

Regardless of the mediocre technology of digital recording on this performance, this music is a definite buy for those who want anything about Bernstein, or wants to give into an American Tragedy. I don't care how great other performances may be; Bernstein's performance is enough for me.

On the other hand, Chichester Psalms, like the Kaddish Symphony, has no specific story, being based, this time, on Psalms 2, 23, 100, 108, 131, and 133. The first movement is joyous, the second movement is a sort of a 'hymn' sung by a male solo high as a boy would sing, and the third movement closes peacefully. I was especially moved by the third movement. The melancholy sounds of the strings in the beginning of the movement reminded me of the grim, dark lifestyles during the Jewish Halocaust, even though the subject might not have been intended in the music. I can consider the words and the sentiment in the movement to be a song of resettlement after the Nazi's attempted genocide of the Jews.

This performance with the New York Phil too, despite its recording technology, is absolutly unmatched. The only other recording I would listen is the one Bernstein performed with the Isreal Phil on Grammophon during his later years of conducting. By noticing the recognizable use of energy of Bernstein's youthful earlier performance, though, I would recommened this performance than the latter.

Generally, the two pieces are magnificently performed, showing how great Bernstein was. Unless you want really cle-e-e-an recordings, you won't be dissapointed.

ChichesterPsalms-A choral work or an orchestral work?.......2001-02-01

Although at first listen this piece is full of screeching and wailing, it is definitively Bernstein. The syncopated rhythms, odd time signatures, nods to American popular, blues and jazz idioms, as well as the explosive dynamics of this piece make it a fascinating listen. WHat I didn't like about this particular recording, led by the Maestro himself, is that one cannot understand much of the text. It is mushily inarticulated. The orchestra, however, is superb, especially the percussion, and the dynamics on this recording are well differentiated. The boy soprano in the 2nd movement(emulating boy David with his harp)sings gorgeously, but one can't understand a word of the Hebrew text of the 23rd Psalm, too bad.If only Bernstein had paid as much attention to the choir as he did to the orchestra, this would be a fabulous recording of a distinctive work.

Breathtaking!.......1999-07-10

I was not alive when President Kennedy was asassinated, but the dramatic lyrics of the Kaddish helps me to understand and appreciate the tragedy in a way I have never felt. Likewise, The Chichester Psalms are done extremely well. I would recomend this cd to anyone that can appreciate good music. It is truly pure heaven.

Walton: Belshazzar's Feast; Bernstein: Chichester Psalms; Missa Brevis

Average customer rating:

Outstanding Outlandish Choral Works
One of Shaw's finest
The second best recording
WOW!
I Love Bernstein!

Walton: Belshazzar's Feast; Bernstein: Chichester Psalms; Missa Brevis

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Poulenc: Mass in G major; Motets
Paul Hindemith: When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd (A Requiem for Those We Love)
Poulenc: Gloria; Concerto for Organ; Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
Fauré · Duruflé - Requiem / J. Blegen · J. Morris · Atlanta SO · Shaw
Berlioz: Requiem; Boito: Prologue to Mefistofele

ASIN: B000003CV7
Release Date: 1989-11-21

Tracks:

Belshazzar's Feast
I. (Psalm 108:2-Psalm 100, Entire) - Derek Lee Ragin
II. (Psalm 23, Entire-Psalm 2:1-4) - Derek Lee Ragin
III. (Psalm 131, Entire-Psalm 133:1) - Derek Lee Ragin
Kyrie
Gloria
Sanctus
Benedictus
Agnus Dei
Dona Nobis Pacem

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding Outlandish Choral Works.......2006-04-01

Leonard Bernstein and William Walton were diverse composers, utilizing a variety of techniques, not only of their own time, but also from the past. Their most famous large-scale choral works are represented on this disk, works masterfully displaying their individualized styles: Walton's Belshazzar's Feast and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and Missa Brevis.

Walton's 37-minute oratorio, Belshazzar's Feast, is scored for large orchestra, including saxophone, two additional brass bands, a multitude of percussion (slapstick, anvil, castanets, xylophone, etc.), piano, organ, as well as a double chorus and baritone soloist. The text conveys the story of the Babylonian captivity and King Belshazzar/Nebuchadnezzar. The work features stunning choral writing, seen at the outstart for a cappella choir which first sets the scene and mood. The action moves to the pagan feast of King Belshazzar and their worshipping of heathen idols, an orgiastic musical setting of great invention. The famous "handwriting on the wall" is proclaimed by the baritone soloist, before a joyous exaltation of Alleluia's directed to the end of Israel's captivity. A great variety of choral writing is implemented throughout, including both orchestral and a cappella settings; lush chorales, grand fugues, and everything inbetween; all very difficult to perform, occasional colorings of dissonance, polytonality, and "English"-isms, and colorful, dramatic, music. Of interest, is the orgiastic feast praising the various metallurgical gods (featuring the outlandish orchestration) and the unashamedly English sounding, joyous conclusion. My love of this oratorio is unparalleled, intimate musical settings vs. extroverted, and is well programmed with the Bernstein compositions.

Commissioned for the Cathedral of Chichester, the Dean asked for something which would bring the spirit of West Side Story to a religious perspective. Chichester Psalms is just that and more. The text is from Psalms, but sung in Hebrew, and unusual choice for an English cathedral. After a forceful, angular, dissonant introduction, a whimsical dance is taken up in 7/4 time, sometimes forceful, other times light, altogether it is a riot. The second movement features, on this recording, a solo counter-tenor; a beautiful and emotional musical rendering, the simplicity of the harmonic movement and subtle jazz inflections, and scoring for women's voices is breathtaking. A frantic patter song takes over and eventually the two contrasting textures overlap. A re-orchestrated version of the opening begins the 3rd movement, angular and dissonant. But a peacefully flowing melody, first heard in men's voices with not-so subtle chromatic shifting of harmonies, brings the work to an uplifting close. Scored for large orchestra, Bernstein also dramatically shifts between outlandishly grandiose to simple intimate settings of orchestra and voice; a master of drama, this choral work is a sentimental and moving choral work. The unusual Missa Brevis, "Short Mass", also by Bernstein, was music originally written for a drama about Joan of Arc. The music is ancient and medieval sounding, rather transparent, scored for chorus, solo counter-tenor, and percussion only, the medieval rhythms and modern polytonality create quite a unique work. Both works are about 19 minutes long.

These highly dramatic and unique compositions by Leonard Bernstein and William Walton for chorus and large orchestra are masterfully performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under Robert Shaw. The astounding Telarc sonics make every orchestral voice and every vocal sound (text and tone) sound exceedingly clear. In addition, there is a feeling of unbridled passion which bristles throughout these works. While in the scheme of musical history these may seem minor works, they have grown to become my favorites; a great recommendation for some different, superb, dramatic choral works and performances.

One of Shaw's finest.......2005-11-26

A label on this CD proclaims "Grammy winner" (1990, Best Choral Performance). This disc definitely earned it.

Obviously, the main attraction is "Belshazzar's Feast," which here gets one of its finest recordings. Everyone rises to the occasion: the recording is incredibly well-detailed, with dozens of tiny little nuances missing in other recordings (the drum beat in the final "Sing aloud to the God of Jacob," to mention but one), and nearly flawless diction and intonation from the chorus.

The CD then adds two additional works by Bernstein, both of which receive noteworthy recordings here. Shaw's performance of the first, "Chichester Psalms", amply demonstrates its heritage in Bernstein's musicals (the first movement is from an abandoned musical, and the second a discarded chorus from "West Side Story"), while the second, the "Missa Brevis," receives its world premiere recording (and possibly its only recording).

In short: if you are a fan of Walton, Bernstein, or Shaw, you should definitely enjoy this disc.

The second best recording.......2005-07-01

There is much to like here. The diction and execution and marvelous. The hushed passages are amazing.

Yet, I rank this below the Previn RPO recording of several decades ago. In that recording the complexity of the structure becomes greater than the sum of the parts, and the ending will make you want to dance (it is after all a dance movement at heart).

Since the Previn is out of print, this recording is the way to go.

Chichester Psalms, by the way, has not had a more brilliant recording. This is vibrant, stunning, and thoughtful.

WOW!.......2003-05-24

I first heard this recording of the Walton "Feast" on a local classical station, and rushed out the next day to purchase it. It has been one of my "4 Favorite Pieces", and I have been blessed to have performed it twice. It is horrendously difficult to perform for both choir and orchestra, which makes me appreciate the Shaw recording even more. But for the listener, this is still a thrilling recording. I like to think of Shaw's interpretation as relentless: he never lets you go from the opening horn fanfare. The diction of the chorus never suffers from tempo, and the brass is spectacular. What is even more thrilling is to realize that Shaw set up his chorus and orchestra as the score demands: 2 seperate choruses and 2 seperate brass choirs. It is loud, it is bellicose, and it is gentle. The choir whispers the section "The trumpeters and pipers" all the way to the end of that section "shall shine no more." Married with this wonderful recording is the Bernstein "Chichester Psalms", a seldom heard but worthy piece of music. It is rousing, robust, and tender.

I Love Bernstein!.......2002-05-12

Chichester Psalms is hard to find. This piece deserves more credit than recieved. Written by Bernstein for Chichester Cathedral, the hebrew language really brings out the the overall meaning of the three movements. It's a very powerful work he's written and I think Robert Shaw does a fine job conducting this. The dynamics, tempo, and everything is nearly perfect! The Atlanta Symphony does a fantastic job as well. Be sure to keep your hand on the volume because the dynamic contrast is incredible! Just as it should be.

Leonard Bernstein: Kaddish; Chichester Psalms; Missa Brevis

Average customer rating:

Leonard Bernstein: Kaddish; Chichester Psalms; Missa Brevis

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bernstein: Symphony No. 1 "Jeremiah," Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety"

ASIN: B0001C9YP4
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

I. Invocation. Adagio - Poco Piu Andante - Movendo - Piu Andante Ancora - Subito Tempo I (Adagio) - Ann Murray
Kaddish 1. L'istesso Tempo - Allegro Molto (Wild!) - Pesante - Wild! - Adagio Come Prima - Allegro Molto, Come Prima - Ann Murray
II. Din-Torah. Di Nuovo Adagio - Rubato - Avanti - Ritenuto - Tempo I - Poco Piu Mosso, Ansiosamente - Doppio Movimento - Un Poco Meno Presto, Quasi Sostenuto - Furioso - Sostenuto - Meno - Adagio - Avanti - Ann Murray
Kaddish 2. Andante con Tenerezza - Sempre Con Moto Ed Un Poco Avanti - Molto Mosso - In Tempo Ma Un Poco Meno Presto - Tempo I Ma Poco Piu Moto - Sostenuto - Tempo I, Molto Tranquillo - Poco Meno - Lento - - Ann Murray
III. Scherzo. Presto Scherzando, Sempre Pianissimo - Agitato - Wild - Sostenuto - - Ann Murray
Kaddish 3. Sostenuto - Tempo I - Broadly - Poco Avanti - Grazioso Assai - Scherzando - Ann Murray
Finale. Adagio - Piu Adagio - Adagissimo - L'istesso Tempo - Fuga. Allegro Vivo Con Gioia - Marziale (Ma L'istesso Tempo) - Misterioso - Broadly - Wild - Piu Mosso - Ann Murray
I. Amestoso Ma Energico - Allegro Molto - Dolce, Tranquillo - BBC Symphony Chorus
II. Andante Con Moto, Ma Tranquillo - Meno Mosso - Ancora Meno - Tempo I, Con Moto - Meno - Ancora Meno - Allegro Feroce - L'istesso Tempo - Meno Come Prima - Ancora Meno, Quasi Adagio - Allegro Come Prima - BBC Symphony Chorus
III. Prelude. sostenuto Molto - Adagi o- A Tempo (Sostenuto MOlto) = Peacefully Flowing - Piu Lento - Lento Possible - BBC Symphony Chorus
1. Kyrie. Adagio - - BBC Singers
2. Gloria. Grave - Molto Piu Presto - Meno Mosso - Sempre A Tempo - BBC Singers
3. Sanctus. Allegro Molto - - BBC Singers
3A. Benedictus. Recitative - Prestissimo - Poco Piu Mosso - Ancora Piu Mosso - BBC Singers
4. Agnus Dei. Grave - Piu Mosso - - BBC Singers
4A. Dona Nobis Pacem. Grave Come Prima - Allegro - BBC Singers

Average customer rating:

can't hear the singers
Hauntingly Beautiful Chicester; this album's a keeper!
Marin Alsop's excellent Bernstein disc by NAXOS- a winner.
Stick with Bernstein's Own Recordings

Bernstein: Chichester Psalms

Manufacturer: Naxos American
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Bernstein: Symphony No. 3 ("Kaddish"); Chichester Psalms
Bernstein: Serenade, Facsimile, Divertimento
Britten: Saint Nicolas, Op. 42
Requiem & Magnificat/Rutter, Cambridge Singers
Messiah (George Frederick Handel) London Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B0000BX5KN
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Tracks:

Symphonic Suite
I. Psalm 108:2/Psalm 100
II. Psalm 23/Psalm 2:1-4
III. Psalm 131/Psalm 133:1
I. The Great Lover
II. Lonely Twon: Pas De Deux
III. Times Square: 1944

Album Description

Commissioned in 1965 by the Dean of Chichester, Bernstein's colourful Chichester Psalms is one of the composer's most successful and accessible works on religious texts, contrasting spiritual austerity with impulsive rhythms in a contemplation of peace. The composer fashioned his Oscar nominated score to the 1954 movie On the Waterfront into a symphonic suite, skillfully capturing the oppression of the New York dockyards in the '50s. The Three Dance Episodes were extracted from the popular On The Town, Bernstein's first successful foray into musical theatre.

Customer Reviews:

can't hear the singers .......2006-03-02

I bought this CD to hear the chorus and the soloists. All you can hear is the orchestra. I had it up REALLY LOUD and I could barely hear the singers at all. I threw it away.

Hauntingly Beautiful Chicester; this album's a keeper!.......2004-02-23

"Chicester Psalms" has long been one of my favorite contemporary choral works, possessing a passion and pathos typical of Bernstein works but without the customary weight or cynicism; more approachable, somehow. This recording of "Chicester" is warm, intimate, and-- unlike almost every recording of it I've encountered-- in tune! While I find the tempi a touch speedy to my liking, particularly the middle section of the second movement, the primary theme of the second movement moved me to an astonishing degree--absolutely gorgeous. My only real "criticism" of the recording is, perhaps, an insufficient sense of "blending" in the final mix (microphone placement emphasizing one or two voices, etc). Beyond that, and especially for the price!, this little gem is worth having in the library.

Marin Alsop's excellent Bernstein disc by NAXOS- a winner........2003-12-18

Armchair critics (just like armchair generals) are dime a dozen. The previous reviewers may be knowledgeable, but they miss the point.
This recording has already earned quite a bit of international recognition, not to mention
"Recording of the Month" of Gramophone Magazine, the most prestigious publication in classical music.
Marin Alsop, the New York born American conductor, just recently catapulted into word fame from "modest" beginnings(Colorado
Symphony) into succeeding Sir Simon Rattle to command the Bournemouth Symphony,
one of England's finest orchestras.Big step, isn't it? She is known for her imaginative programming, great personality, communicative skills and musicianship. A great proponent of modern, specially American works, she is great demand all over the world now. And she is still a relatively young woman.
I myself have luckily seen her in 2002 at a concert where she brought down the house with a terrific performance of the Barber Violin Concerto with Salerno-Sonnenberg as soloist.
The music on this disc has been adequately described by other reviewers.
The centerpiece : "Chichester Psalms" has both chorus, orchestra and soloists in top form. The third psalm with its tender evocation of peace (somewhat like the end of
the Faure Requiem) is especially inspired and evocative.
The flanking pieces "On the Waterfront" and "On the Town" are both excellent.
In the latter Ms. Alsop really manages the orchestra to swing like a jazzband and in the last movement she pulls out all the stops.
This is not what you might call "great" music,(definitely derivative of Gershwin and others) but our conductor definitely does justice to her teacher and mentor the unforgettable Lenny. And what a nice way to repay him for all the gifts she received and built a great career upon.
Not to sneer upon this disc. Specially for the price , it is a giveaway. Highly enjoyable, entertaining and recommendable. Great sound!

Stick with Bernstein's Own Recordings.......2003-10-15

This CD containing music of Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)--Symphonic Suite from 'On the Waterfront,' Chichester Psalms, and Three Dance Episodes from 'On the Town'--has several strikes against it. First, Bernstein himself recorded all these pieces, some of them more than once, and they are all still in print. Those are definitive performances with élan and sparkle that these performances don't have. Second, this disc only contains about 49 minutes of music, a shameful waste of CD space. Naxos knew the disc was short; generally they put the timing of a CD on the back cover in big print but this time the timing is nowhere to be seen, outside or even inside the booklet. Fie! And, finally, even Naxos's budget price can almost be met by the re-issues of Bernstein's own performances.

The question arises then, why buy this? Well, I suppose if you want this particular combination of pieces you might buy it. They do not appear in this specific combination anywhere else as far as I know. If you want an English chorus (and boy treble) this one would do. Young Thomas Kelly sings sensitively in the Twenty-third Psalm (the second of the three psalms set by Bernstein).

Even though the Bournemouth Symphony's wildly (and justly) acclaimed new conductor, Marin Alsop, was a protégé of Bernstein's, the rhythmic snap and idiomatic playing expected in these quintessentially American pieces just isn't there. The trumpet solo in 'Lonely Town,' the second of the 'On the Town' pieces, is played beautifully by the orchestra's unnamed principal trumpet. And the gritty world of 'On the Waterfront' is conveyed well, if a bit monochromatically.

It's not that these performances are bad, it's just that Bernstein is much better.

Tracks:

Il Barbiere di Siviglia: 'Largo Al Factotum'
Mazurka In G Major, 'Obertass,' Op.19, No.1
Contrasts For Violin, Clarinet And Piano: II. 'Piheno'
String Quartet In C Minor, Op.18, No.4: IV. Allegro - Prestissimo
Bachiana Brasileira No.5: Aria - Cantilena
Violin Concerto In E Minor, Op. 64: Allegro Molto Vivace
Rigoletto: 'La Donna E Mobile'
String Quartet No.4: II. Prestissimo, Con Sordino
Carnival Of The Animals: 'Fossils'
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra: III. Rondo. Allegro Spirituoso
Le tombeau de Couperin: I. Prelude
Hermit Songs: 'The Desire For Hermitage'
Variation 30 A 1 Clav. Quodlibet
From 'Goldberg' Variations: Aria
The Threepenny Opera: 'Mack The Knife'
Symphony No. 36 In C Major, K. 425 'Linz': III. Menuetto - Trio
Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major: III. Allegro Vivace Assai
Symphonie espagnole In D Minor, Op. 21: V. Rondo (Allegro)
'Battle Hymn Of The Republic'
Madama Butterfly: 'Un Bel Di'

Tracks:

Le Sacre du printemps: 'Danse Sacrale'
El Amor Brujo: 'Ritual Fire Dance'
Rodeo (Four Hour Dance): 'Hoe-Down'
Fugue In G Minor, BWV 578 'Little'
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I: Prelude No. 1 In C Major, BWV 846
Syphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: II. Allegretto Scherzando
Slavonic Dance No. 8 In G Minor, Op. 46
Symphony No.2 In C Minor 'Resurrection': IV. 'Urlicht'
Chichester Psalms: I. Psalm 108
Octet In E-Flat Major, Op.20: III. Scherzo: Allegro Ieggierissimo
Etude In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 2, No.1
Etude In A-Flat Major, Op. 72, No.11
Concierto de Aranjuez: I. Allegro Con Spirito
Karelia Suite, Op.11: III. Alla Marcia. Moderato
Canzon Septimi Toni No.2
Fanfare For The Common Man
'Beau Soir'
Suite For Flute And Jazz Piano: 'Baroque And Blue'
Piano Concerto No. 20 In D Minor, K. 466: III. Rondo. Allegro Assai
Daphnis et Chloe: 'Danse Generale'

Tracks:

Eubie's Classical Rag
Intermezzo In B Minor, Op. 119, No. 1
III. Alegro
Behind The Gardens - Behind The Wall - Under The Tree
Perhaps Love
Facades
O mio babbino caro
Passo pel prat
III. Finale. Allegro
I. Allegro
Promenade (Walking The Dog)
Sonata No.5 In D Major For Cello And Piano: III. Alegro fugato
Turangalila II
IV. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto
Mazurka In C Minor , Op. 56, No.3
String Quartet In D Minor, Op. 56 'Voces intimae': II. Vivace
Ch'ella mi creda libero e lontano

Tracks:

Main Theme From Star Wars
Andante
Salut d'amour, Op. 12
Minuet
Appalachia Waltz
Appalachia Waltz
Gershwin,
All The Delights Of The Season
Steam Engine
Summon The Heros
Prelude To Suite No. 1 In G Major
Brunnhilde's Battle Cry
Sonata In A Major
A Suite For Strings: The Murder
Flight Of The Bumblebee
Prelude To Suite No. 3 IN E
Libertango
Angel (Lust)
Theme From Schindler's List
I. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
La donna e mobile
Gymnopedie No. 3
Song Of Peace

Customer Reviews:

What I Bought From Sony Companies.......2005-08-20

Bach, Goldberg Variations, Gould, Haydn, L. Mozart, Hummel, Wynton Marsalis, Leppard, Joseph Haydn, Walter (Japanese), Mozart Piano Concertos & Rondos, Murray Perahia, Mozart Quartets by Ax, Stern, Laredo, and Ma, Mozart Concerto Violin, Zukerman, Chopin, Concertos Piano, Gilels, Ormandy, Watts, Schippers, Bruckner, L'Archibudelli, Johannes Brahms, Gould, Brahms, Stern, Trios and Quartets, Brahms, Ax, Ma, Bizet, Carmen and L'Arlesienne suites, Bernstein, Dvorak, Herbert, Ma, Masur, Faure, Quartets, Ax, Stern, Laredo, Ma, Janacek, String Quartets, Alban Berg, Lyric Suite, Juilliard String Quartet, Copland Collection, Debussy, nocturnes, Upshaw, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Canteloube, John Williams Plays Barrios, Ligeti Edition, Claude Bolling, suites and such Jazz, 4 CDs, Joshua Bell, Bernstein, West Side Story. Albert, Bartok, Bloch, Ma, Zinman, John McLaughlin, Concerto for Guitar, and with Katia Labeque, Kathleen Battle.Wynton Marsalis, Baroque Duet,Kathleen Battle Jean-Pierre Rampal in Concert, Bobby McFerrin paper music, with Yo-Yo Ma in Hush, Katia & Marielle Labeque, Love of Colours, Wynton Marsalis, Baroque Music for Trumpets, and Elliot Goldenthal, Fire Water Paper, A Vietnam Oratorio.
I list these because I am trying to figure out what of value is in the Columbia, CBS, and Sony sound legacy in case they come back to the U.S. and revive classical music recording in this country.
Duane Crawford

Strange interpretation of "classical".......2005-01-17

I bought this CD because it contained some songs I was having a hard time finding elsewhere, such as Passo pel prat, Chants d'Auvergne sung by Fredrica Von Stade. However, some of the songs on this CD do not seem to belong e.g. all three songs by John Williams, Mack the Knife, Barbra Streisand, and the Psycho Murder Theme for starters, and many more.

I gave the CD 4 stars only because I was happy that I was able to find a few somewhat rare tracks.

An interesting mix..........2002-05-18

This is a sampler in the truest meaning of the word. I bought this 4 CD work primarly for two tracks, but also because I was interested to see what else was out there without investing a fortune in CD's I wouldn't like! I was surprised by the wide diversity of music ranging from true classical and jazz to contemporary compositions and interpretations.

While I find some tracks divine (Williams's _Schindler's List_), I find other tracks unsettling (_Beau Soir_ performed by Barbra Streisand). But when you are trying to span 100 years of music, you will (and should) encounter all tastes and styles. Overall, I really enjoy listening to this set. My only regret is that I don't have a CD changer...

A touch of history...........2002-01-28

An exceptional set. The history of music making of the 20th century in 4 CDs. Even from the first track with Giuseppe Campanari and Charles Adams Prince you can see that people put much time in collecting the best interpretations and putting together an amazing collection. Other highlights include the "Mack The Knife" with Lotte Lenya, the Bachiana Brasileiras, The Fanfare For The Common Man with LSO conducted by the composer and so many more. An undespiuted *****

A touch of history...........2002-01-28

Average customer rating:

Outstanding Choral CD
Wonderful.

Bernstein & Britten
William Albright , Leonard Bernstein , Benjamin Britten , Aharon Harlap , Egil Hovland , Stephen Harrison Paulus , Einojuhani Rautavaara , Nancy Wertsch , and Dale Warland Singers
Manufacturer: American Choral
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000JN9T
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

Rejoice In The Lamb: Rejoice In God, O Ye Tongues
Rejoice In The Lamb: Let Nimrod, The Mighty Hunter
Rejoice In The Lamb: Hallelujah
Rejoice In The Lamb: For I Will Consider My Cat Jeoffry
Rejoice In The Lamb: For The Mouse
Rejoice In The Lamb: For The Flowers Are Great Blessings
Rejoice In The Lamb: For I Am Under The Same Accusation With My Saviour
Rejoice In The Lamb: For H Is A Spirit
Rejoice In The Lamb: For The Instruments Are By Their Rhimes
Rejoice In The Lamb: Hallelujah
Antiphon For God The Father
Pilgrims' Hymn
Bat Yiftach (Jephthah's Daughter) (1980)
Fragments From The Mass: Kyrie: From Chichester Mass
Fragments From The Mass: Gloria: From Mass Misericordiae
Fragments From The Mass: Credo
Fragments From The Mass: Agnus Dei: From Chichester Mass
Chichester Psalms: Maestoso ma energico (Psalm 108:2, Psalm 100)
Chichester Psalms: Andante con moto, ma tranquillo; Allegro feroce (Psalm 23:1-4, Psalm 2:1-4, Psalm 23:5-6)
Chichester Psalms: Prelude, Peacefully Fowing (Psalm 131:1-3, Psalm 133:1)

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding Choral CD.......2006-04-01

The Dean of Chichester Cathedral, Reverend Walter Hussey, is well-known for procuring great musical commissions from leading composers of the day. The two large works on this disk, Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb and Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, are the result of Rev. Hussey's commission. The two works, while one American and one English, share a certain quirkiness, but deep spirituality as well, and are now standard choral repertoire. Also on this disk are some shorter modern choral pieces, including fragments from the Mass by various composers, for a unique and inspired programmed choral CD.

Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb is a unique composition, mostly on account of the choice of text. Christopher Smart, an 18th century poet, wrote while institutionalized in an asylum; in his writings, including this one, Smart finds God in many places, including his cat. Britten's distinctive compositional styles play upon the interesting poetry: in seven sections, each describe many facets of religious thought. The opening introduction is mostly unison chorus and contrasting organ and sets the scene, while the following section, in a fast, uneven meter, describes many characters and animals from the Bible and their stories involving each other. A hushed, yet rhythmical, Hallelujah, calms the action before a male soprano, alto, and tenor soloists each praise God's creations of the cat, mouse and flower, respectively. Smart compares his situation in the asylum with Jesus: "For I am under the same accusation with my Savior" set in a dissonant chant. A joyous roundelay of imitation takes God's musical instruments and rhymes them with random words. The work ends with a reprise of the hushed Hallelujah. The odd text is surprisingly spiritual and personal, and Britten's musical language conveys both of those aspects; the 17-minute cantata for choir and organ is a miniature masterpiece.

Leonard Bernstein's 18-minute Chichester Psalms for chorus, organ, and percussion, is a three movement work, whose text uses Psalms. The unusual choice was Bernstein's setting of Hebrew, rather than English; but in the end, adds to the beauty and meaning of the work. After the first short, dissonant opening chorale, Bernstein's rhythmic finesse shows in a dance-like setting with a whimsical mood. The second movement is a beautifully lyric showcase for male soprano; a very tuneful melody is enrapturing; the men enter in a diabolical patter song and eventually the two ideas overlap for an interesting juxtaposition. The opening chorale reappears as an organ solo, but a gently flowing, peaceful theme permeates the final movement. The work ends in stunning beauty and calm. While completely different than the Britten, the work is uniquely spiritual and personal while having a bit of fun.

The rest of the 67-minute CD is taken up by single choral works by 20th century composers, some known, others not; each offer a different point of view regarding religion and spirituality. Nancy Wertsch's Antiphon for God the Father uses text from Hildegard von Bingen, and sets a solo soprano chanting with a cappella chorus in Latin and English. Stephen Paulus' beautiful Pilgrim's Hymn is an emotional, chorale-like setting. Ahron Harlap's Bat Yiftach is a Hebrew, dramatic setting of the story of Jephthah, who ends up having to sacrifice his only child for receiving the grace of God. In addition, Warland performs various parts of the mass by various composers: a Kyrie and Agnus Dei by William Albright, short settings with shimmering cluster chords that send chills down the spine; a Gloria by Norwegian composer Egil Hovland and a Credo setting by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara; both unique compositions.

The professional chorus, The Dale Warland Singers, under Dale Warland, was America's leading chorus until his retirement. They specialize in modern compositions and interpretations with a deep, rich choral sound. This CD presents moving performances of the single choral pieces on the disk and a good introduction to little known composers. While I still prefer the orchestrated Chichester Psalms for its sheer dramatic qualities, this is probably the best organ version available, the Britten is the finest American performance available, and the program of the CD is well-received. It is a great collection of standards and new compositions; highly recommended.

Wonderful........2002-05-31

This is a fantastic recording of some of the most important 20th century choral music in the repertoire. The Britten "Rejoice in the Lamb" and the Bernstein "Chichester Psalms" are represented here in what I think is the most perfect recording of these works available. Other wonderful additions are some works by Stephen Paulus, whose music has been so deservedly championed by the conductor. The Dale Warland Singers are one of the finest choral ensembles in the world. This recording helps to solidify an already stellar reputation. Buy it.

Average customer rating:

Great Choral Classics

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Franz Joseph Haydn: The Creation

ASIN: B00005JH7C
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

'Gloria All'Egitto'
'Agnus Dei'
'Magnificat Anima Mea'
'In Taberna Quando Sumus'
II. Psalm 23 & Psalm 2:1-4
'Laudamus Te'
'Kyrie'
'Tui Nati Vulnerati'
'Te Deum'
'Sing To God'
'Osanna In Excelsis'
'Cum Sancto Spiritu'
'Selig Sind Die Toten'

Average customer rating:

A Salute to American Music

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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ASIN: B00000E6PJ
Release Date: 1992-12-01

The Papal Concert to Commemorate the Holocaust

Average customer rating:

Just moved me to tears!!!!!!!

The Papal Concert to Commemorate the Holocaust
Howard Nevison , Lynn Harrell , Ludwig van Beethoven , Leonard Bernstein , Max Bruch , Franz Schubert , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Gilbert Levine , and Richard Dreyfuss
Manufacturer: Justice Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Bruch: Dol Nidrei; Bloch: Schelomo

ASIN: B000000NRD
Release Date: 1994-09-06

Tracks:

Kol Nidrei
Sym No.9 in c: III. Adagio Molto E Cantabile
Psalm 92
Sym No.3, 'Kaddish'
Chichester Psalms: Movt II
Chichester Psalms: Movt III
The Pope's Address - Pope John Paul II

Customer Reviews:

Just moved me to tears!!!!!!!.......2004-02-11

I was about 17 or 18 years old when I first purchased this CD, mainly because I'm a cellist and wanted a recording of the Kol Nidrei. After hearing Lynn Harrell's version of Kol Nidrei the first couple of times, I just couldn't stop crying. It was absolutely breathtaking! There's none other like Lynn Harrell. I also liked the Kaddish and the Psalm 23. Those were also moving. I'm not Jewish, nor have I had any family member die in the holocaust, but have cherished this music for quite some time now. A must-have if you like sorrowful, yet somber music.

Music Review:

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