Copland Lincoln Portrait conducted by Bernstein

Aaron Copland - Lincoln Portrait
NY Philharmonic
Leonard Bernstein, conductor
William Warfield narrator
Royal Albert Hall, 1976

[@silentgreybox]

Copland, Bernstein, Warfield, Lincoln. Four Great Americans.

[@michaeljudge3401]

The best Lincoln Portrait orchestral perfomance ever, the best conducting of it ever, and the best recitation of it ever.

[@herbvanderven5154]

In the summer of 1971 I was privileged to be in the orchestra of the NC School of the Arts summer session in Siena Italy. The Lincoln Portrait was one of the works that we performed in various cities on our tour of Italy. This piece is a great representation of our country's aspirations. Sad that 51 years later I find we still fall quite short of fully achieving our goals of freedom, equal opportunity, and equal justice for all our citizens. Be hopeful and do what YOU can to help the USA become what we aim to be.

[@seekstruth5968]

I agree. Vote for trump. Must end Biden authoritarianism, corruption, incompetence, and WEOPONIZING the DOJ and neo- communist influences. Notice wars breaking out all over inflation broken southern border and crime waves-- all under joe bidens democrat regime. This is inequality and suffering for ALL Americans. The world is the world is aflame because of Joe Biden he is destroying America and destroying the world and Iran China are on the March

[@muslit]

Me too, although I was paid as an extra, since I participated in the program in 1969. I'm a violinist. I remember those summers of '71 and '69 very well. I ended up living and working in Italy from 1980 to 1989. Saludos.

[@chunchinchen2559]

This is my favorite version of this piece. Mr. Bernstein and NY phil created a strong sense of hierarchy. The most amazing is William Warfield’s reading. I was deeply touched.🥰

[@Twentythousandlps]

The artists toured Europe with this and Warfield spoke the text in French and in German as required. That would be interesting to hear. William Warfield is probably the only person to have memorized the short text, and it adds a great deal. Bernstein himself once spoke the text in a 1983 performance.

[@tlcdc60]

Thanks so much for posting this. I’ve been looking for this since the first time I saw it on tv in 1976. I was a teenager and was blown away by William Warfield’s powerful performance. I never thought I’d see it, again.

[@danschunks6345]

Magnificent! The words are as true today as in the time they were spoken.

[@seekstruth5968]

have heard many orators. but warfield expresses those words with true meaning and musicality and drama--like no other. its so very much superior to all the other narrations.

[@jedienclave]

Interestingly the note that Copland put in the score at the beginning was that there was to be absolutely no dramatization or acting. Only a plain text reading of the words.

[@dobermanpac1064]

A man loving what he does!

[@robinfort5359]

We played this is orchestra when I went to Governor's School in Conway, AR in 1994. It was amazing.

[@etucker82]

Gerard Schwartz on the all-important principal trumpet. Later he'd make his own recording of this piece with James Earl Jones. Probably the best yet set down.

[@alexleach6307]

Yes this is the finest version I've heard, even accounting for excellent performances by Gregory Peck, Adlai Stevenson, James Earl Jones and others. Copland didn't want the words declaimed in an 'actorish' way, and Warfield gets this right with a fluent, natural and almost conversational style - but full of power. It's the difference between speaking a text and simply reciting it.

[@davidjared3402]

Beautiful music, and wow did William Warfield remind me of James Earl Jones! Very similar accent, diction, and mannerisms. Well done!

[@robertwbecker]

William Warfield is truely magnificent as is this piece of music and it’s performance with maestro Bernstein! “ government by the people for the people shall not perish from this earth”

[@drdanandsondra]

Thanks, John for posting this🙂

[@johnrandolph6121]

Hi Sondra!

[@AnneTortorahassomething2say]

What a gift. Thank you.

[@hugosanchez7599]

The last chords blow my mind

[@jochanaan58]

The best. And William Warfield seems to need no microphone! Not surprising, since he was a great operatic bass.

[@mitchkirton7901]

And a fine human being, to boot.

[@sharonhill3732]

Just can't be topped for presentation. Sound is lousy, but my favorite of all-time. Gerard Schwartz on trumpet, who became a star in his own right with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and Stanley Drucker on clarinet, who played in the New York Philharmonic for 60 years. William Warfield's powerful performance is the greatest contribution

[@20alevilla]

Brutal

[@johnburns5860]

THanks for sticking your annoying ads in the middle of this , KZbin

[@robertwbecker]

OMG, LISTEN TO THIS!

[@dennismiddlebrooks7027]

This was performed during the Bi-Centennial of the USA.

[@charlesbarry6730]

Echoes of Stephen Foster . Definitely American music.

[@ernestobuch]

Copeland definitely knew how to write American music.

[@peterrollins1173]

@@ernestobuch Yes and he was from Brooklyn, New York and created the most beautiful full American music that brings tears to your eyes and a lump in your throat for capturing the sweeping heartland of the United States.

[@davidmathews7804]

😊 😊

[@BytomGirl]

These words are more meaningful today then they ever have been before. People ... listen and have your eyes wide open.

[@charlesbarry971]

The themes in this piece are clearly American. Stephen Foster is clearly heard.

[@sarahjones-jf4pr]

This speech is as current today as it always has been bet who puts it into true practice.?

[@dr.jerrycuster5698]

how many of us went here today as Nancy Pelosi spoke these opening words? i could not NOT hear this music.

[@guavajellyjam]

Back here a year later .

[@finchborat]

Pelosi and the Dems don't deserve to associate themselves with Lincoln. They're complete garbage.

[@chrisb5823]

What a lame crowd. I would have been standing on my chair.

[@adelyashahidi]

I thought the same 😂