Rating:
Genre: Classical
Release Date: 09/09/2003
Run Time: 231:39

In addition to being one of America's most lauded composers, Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) conducted the New York Philharmonic from 1943 through 1969. His no-nonsense approach to classical music was considered controversial, if not somewhat radical, yet his contributions are immeasurable, especially as he crossed cultural lines, exposing the masses to luminous works of symphonic art, many for the first time. He went so far as to demystify the masters, making them palatable for the common listener as well as the studious enthusiast. Since the maestro's copious catalog is undeniably daunting and to honor what would have been his 85th birthday, in 2003 Sony Music created anthologies titled A Total Embrace: The Conductor and A Total Embrace: The Composer. The three-volume mid-price Conductor set contains nearly four hours of Bernstein's offerings from behind the podium. While not presented chronologically, the tracks span nearly a quarter-century, from the Columbia Symphony Orchestra's 1950 rendition of Maurice Ravel's Shéhérazade: II. La Flute Enchantée through to a 1975 recording of Hector Berlioz's Requiem, Op. 5 from Dies Irae: "Tuba Mirum." In between, Bernstein's repertoire is thoroughly embodied with arguably definitive recitals ranging from the finale of Mozart's Symphony No. 39 in E flat Major, KV 543 to Charles Ives' The Unanswered Question. The latter is just one of several complete compositions; others of note are an unequaled interpretation of Aaron Copland's El Salón México and the legendary reading of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" from the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn, NY, where Bernstein not only leads the Columbia Symphony Orchestra but also plays the piano. The only thing that could have improved on the package would be more specific and detailed annotations, as interested parties are presumably novices. Otherwise, A Total Embrace: The Conductor and A Total Embrace: The Composer are highly recommended entrées and sizable career overviews.

~Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

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Leonard Bernstein - Piano
Leonard Bernstein - Conductor
Maurice Peress - Liner Notes
Steven Berkowitz - A&R
John McClure - Producer
Andy Schwartz - Artist Coordination
Glenn Gould - Piano
Thomas Z. Shepard - Producer
Erik Auerbach - Photography
Don Hunstein - Photography
Howard Fritzson - Art Direction
Howard H. Scott - Producer
Charles Harbutt - Mastering
Nancy Sacks - Design
Erik Smith - Producer
Michael Devlin - Tenor (Vocal)
Lee Venora - Soprano (Vocal)
Alan Titus - Baritone (Vocal)
Darren Salmieri - Artist Coordination
Liz Reilly - Photo Research
Stephan Moore - Project Director
Abe Vélez - Packaging Manager

Terje Rypdal: Lux Aeterna
    Terje Rypdal / CD / 2003
Anything Goes [1995 Studio Cast]
    1995 Studio Cast / CD / 2004
Ensemble Modern Plays Frank Zappa: Greggery Peccary & Other Persuasions
    Ensemble Modern / CD / 2004
Amore
    Andrea Bocelli / CD / 2006

Release Date: 09/09/2003
Genre: class
Run Time: 231:39