Bernstein

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 6/13/04 at 1:06pm

We all know Bernstein(even the youngest of us know West Side Story.), but this post is more about his other works. I performed Chichester Psalms when I was in a choir in Indy a few years ago. Due to the dynamics of the choir at the time I didn't truly enjoy this piece because I let myself get wrapped up in the drama at the time. Listening to it now though, I love it. I do not know as much about Bernstein as I probably should and being young I just heard about Bernstein's Kaddish that he dedicated to JFK. I have heard lots of critics think it was pretentious, but I am very interested in hearing it. I was wondering what everyone's opinion on the board is of Chichester Psalms and Kaddish are. Also does anyone know of a good biography to look for on Bernstein that includes his theatre credits along with his orchestral and choral works?

Updated On: 6/14/04 at 01:06 PM

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 12:04am

Bumpo

[edfu]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 3:06am

The best biography, and the one that covers both his classical and Broadway careers in great detail, is "Leonard Bernstein" by Humphrey Burton, published in 1994. It's not "authorized," but Burton had the full cooperation of Bernstein's family.

[MusicMan]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 3:07am

Has there ever been a more powerful and poetic composer? Bernstein is surely the greatest composer of musicals and among the finest writers of American post-war music in the classical field. Sondheim would be lucky to kiss the lint on the trailing hem of Bernstein's nethermost gown. Bernstein, however brilliant, glamorous, talented, and POPULAR, also had the misfortune to be writing in an era when the disastrous 20th century academic battles of tonal music vs. twelve-tone writing were in full tilt (it's similar to the ludicrous, New York Times-sanctioned popular/elitist, musical theatre/opera culture wars going on in musical theater today). Hence, his decidedly tonal palette and accessibility were regarded with suspicion and disdain by the pretentious classical 'mafia.'
CHICHESTER PSALMS and KADDISH are vintage Bernstein, deeply personal and truthful. Though you can hear his influences (a little Copland here, a little Sibelius there, etc.), LB's unique voice always comes through, along with his spiritual AND theatrical sensibilities, Jewish heritage and private concerns. I recommend you listen to the original recording with Bernstein conducting and his wife, Felicia Montealgre, narrating. You should also hear his JEREMIAH and AGE OF ANXIETY symphonies, the FANCY FREE, FACSIMILE, and DYBBUK ballets, his score to ON THE WATERFRONT, his song-cycle SONGFEST, and the MASS, his last great work.
For a classified list of compositions, check out FINDINGS, an anthology of Bernstein writings, LEONARD BERNSTEIN by Paul Myers and published by Phaidon or LEONARD BERNSTEIN: A GUIDE TO RESEARCH by Paul Laird. All three titles are available through the NY public library. Updated On: 6/14/04 at 03:07 AM

[edfu]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 3:09am

I should add that Burton does not cover up any of Bernstein's gay activities. Also, to show how complete the bio is, it runs to 600 pp. The Kaddish Symphony, No. 3, was indeed dedicated to Kennedy, just prior to its premiere in 1964, but Bernstein had finished writing it by that time. It was actually commissioned by the Boston Symphony way back in 1955. He was, of course, a very busy man and a bit of a prognosticator with his composing work. Updated On: 6/14/04 at 03:09 AM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 8:40am

Funny that this post should pop up now - we listened to Candide over the weekend (Original Broadway Cast) and I must say that there are passages in that show that, no matter how many times I hear them, always elicit tears. I don't know much of the Bernstein Repertoire, but I did work on a song of his a few years back in class - Simple Song (from Bernstein's Mass)...really lovely stuff, and of course I've always been a fan of West Side Story. These other pieces mentioned in this thread are new to me - but I'll have to check them out.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 10:18am

I have always liked "Kaddish
Resonates on many levels.
And if the bio hadthe co op of the family do u really think he'd be telling tales out of school. ( & yes I know there were a lot of "tails"- He was rarely discreet but funnily enough the newspapers of the day didn't print much)

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 11:04am

Just a sidenote: Stephen Schwartz wrote the lyrics to Bernstein's Mass (and Simple Song).

I still find the overture to Candide to not only be one of the best musical theatre overtures of all time (opera included) but one of the best compositions of the 20th century. I played it in orchestra in college. What a challenge and what a thrill.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 11:43am

Funny how Stephen Schwartz' music is good when taken out of context, but terrible in a show...wonder why that is?

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 11:49am

Well, in this instance, it's 'cause it's not his music. :)
It's still a shame his magnificent score for the Baker's Wife will never have the chance to give him a well-deserved Tony...but thank god it didn't happen for Wicked.
I still reiterate my claim that his best score in recent memory (sans a few very bad lyrics) is Children of Eden.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 12:03pm

"Funny how Stephen Schwartz' music is good when taken out of context, but terrible in a show...wonder why that is?"

Funny how Godspell is one of the most popular musicals in the US. From high schools, to national tours and international productions, it remains one of the most successful American musicals. Apparently, something worked.

PS - Baker's Wife is getting a major revival at Papermill next season. I'm curious to know how it works out.

Love Berstein.....anyone have a copy of his Peter Pan on CD? It's impossible to find.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 12:11pm

I hold to my convictions - I hate watching any of his shows - but I can listen to the songs alone out of context and like them as they stand apart - but they never make sense in a show he's written. Or should I say that his shows just don't make sense.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 12:47pm

Fixed the dedication thing. Thanks for all the information everyone, if you can think of anything else feel free to add it.

[secret-soul]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 12:53pm

I love the Sam Byck part of Assassins, thank you Mario Cantone: "Lenny, you just keep writing those love songs...they're beautiful, Lenny...TONIGHT, TONIGHT!'

[MusicMan]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 10:51pm

The Baker's Wife, rewritten and restaged countless times, simply does not work, regardless of the melodic invention of its score. The plot is simply too slender for a full evening's entertainment and the newly written songs for the villagers ends up as so much wheel-spinning filler. The concept is flawed and if Trevor Nunn couldn't make a go of it, then it's time to admit defeat, leave the show in the drawer where it (like Merrily We Roll Along) belongs and move on.

FYI, MisterMatt, I have the Arthur/Karloff/Bernstein Peter Pan on CD. Updated On: 6/14/04 at 10:51 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 11:32pm

Well, I can contribute to this post to applaude his PETER PAN.

His version of the musical was only produced ONCE on Broadway, with Jean Arthur as "Peter Pan" and Boris Karloff as "Captain Hook."

It's a shame, really. His score was nice, but because Arthur couldn't really sing, it was criticized. The next production Broadway would see would be with Mary Martin in the Leigh/Charlap production, and because it was so successful, we never got to see Bernstein's production again.

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 6/14/04 at 11:35pm

I'm gonna change things, Lenny...
-d.b.j-