If I Could Choose Only One Recording By...LEONARD BERNSTEIN

[@rameau1124]

I love your enthusiastic recommendations. Love this channel..!!

[@hendriphile]

What a heartfelt love letter to 2 great creative and re-creative artists.

[@Bobbnoxious]

It seems that Lenny was familiar with that old s.o.b Cancrizans. He once said that if all his recordings were to be destroyed he'd beg for one to be spared: the string orchestra arrangement of Beethoven's Op. 131 Quartet (Vienna Phil, DG). He dedicated it to the memory of his wife Felicia, and the video of the performance was part of his classic Beethoven series. Seeing this on PBS in my teens helped inspire my lifelong love affair with classical music.

[@langsamwozzeck]

I remember he said that you needed to understand that piece in order to understand Mahler, which is definitely food for thought.

[@staalman1226]

​@@richardkavesh8299I like your big words funny man

[@jgesselberty]

Yes, there was Mahler before Bernstein. But, Bernstein made Mahler a household word. He put the spotlight on Mahler and brought him into regular programming on concert schedules. I often think he did Mahler so well, because he knew and loved Haydn.

[@bbailey7818]

​@frankpiccione8571 I dislike Klemperer's late and sclerotic 7th, but it is, in any case, not typical of his Mahler. His 2nd (the Decca live with Ferrier) is quite fast. As for Walter, his Vienna 9th is far faster than Bernstein's as is most of his Mahler. Bernstein's Adagietto from the 5th is around 11 minutes. Walter's AND Mengelberg's, both of whom knew and worked with Mahler directly, are under 8 minutes. In the last mvt of the 9th, the "too fast" Bernstein clocks in at near a half hour. Walter in 1938 is around 18 minutes. His later version is slower but not as expansive as Bernstein's. I'm not saying one is necessarily superior to another, just that Bernstein was anyt🎉hing but a speed demon in Mahler.

[@f.scottwalters7349]

A clue to understanding how he did Mahler b/c he knew Haydn can be heard in his Harvard lectures, The Unanswered Question: LB had a deep and comprehensive sense of the symphonic arts which began with Haydn/Mozart and arced its way through the Post-Romantic period.

[@barryguerrero6480]

Agreed. I consider the Schumann symphonies as being something of a prerequisite for Mahler, along with the the crazier works of Smetana; the late Dvorak tone poems, and the wilder works of Tchaikovsky (Nutcracker and the Manfred Symphony).

[@erb07032]

Wonderful choice, wonderful performances.

[@catfdljws]

In one of his Young Persons Concerts ("The Sound of an Orchestra", Dec '65), Bernstein specifically played Haydn "badly" - the full 96 person orchestra, tons of dynamics changing, overloads of vibrato from the strings, a lot of tempo ritardandos. Just overloading it with every Wagnerian and Brahamsian romantic "shlock" he could. Just to show them why it was wrong for Hadyn and the classical era. "Now you may have found the noises we've been making very pretty ones, perhaps even moving; but they are not the sound of Haydn. They are the sound of an orchestra showing off." So he then kicks out a third of the players, and plays it the way a classical orchestra would, the way Hadyn wrote it, and it really works. I have the Bernstein Century releases of some of his Hadyn. I don't know how much overlap there is between those and the Royal Edition you're showing here.

[@anttivirolainen8223]

This recording has been one of the greatest discoveries of this KZbin channel. I have received many excellent recommendations through this, but this one is among the very best. Shamefully, I had not listened to this recording before, even though I was aware of it. I love Haydn, and especially Bernstein's Haydn.

[@stephenleeb8759]

Thank you very much. I just want to tell you as someone who loves music but knows next to nothing about it, you have enriched my life.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It's my pleasure. Thank you for watching.

[@barrygray8903]

Bravo! A great choice to represent Bernstein the conductor. Back in the 60's, even though I was young budding musician, I was bothered by the constant flogging Bernstein received from listeners and certain critics ( many of them always found something to trash in a Bernstein performance). My appreciation of him grew as I listened to his Mahler and that Beethoven cycle from Vienna. I came to his Haydn later; excellent and revelatory. Thank you for your advocacy of a great multi-faceted artist.

[@robertjewell9727]

Being that Haydn is my favorite of the big 3 of the classical era , you sold me. Ordering now. Thanks.

[@robertjewell9727]

Well, dang. Not available in CD format. 🥴 At least on that Amazon thing.

[@steve.schatz]

With Dave's help I've been doing a bit of a deep dive into the Haydn symphonies and his remarks about Bernstein/Haydn/Mahler ring true to me. Perhaps the biggest idea among the many Dave's brought to this channel is the notion that Haydn is truly something special, to be ranked among the first of the first rank, second to none. I've taken to listening to Haydn as if it were Mahler, and Mahler as if it were Haydn. It's an approach that's really worked for me.

[@BeammeupSpotty]

wow. you're on fire. right again. really enjoyed the bernstein paris symphonies of haydn. special!!!

[@loganfruchtman953]

You know how much Haydn loved his winds and in Bernstein’s recordings of the Paris Symphonies you really hear them.

[@eddihaskell]

i have to agree, I purchased those per your recommendations and they are fantastic.

[@stradivariouspaul1232]

I have only recently begun to appreciate Haydn's symphonies and largely I have you to thank for that Dave. Your enthusiasm for Bernstein's Paris Symphonies made me investigate them, and I soon came to realise how great they are both sonically and performance wise. My search to find an affordable copy paid off as they have become one of my faves. In contrast the other big band option, Karajan's set are good but seem a little heavy in comparison and that all important baseline is not so clear. And I think his symphony 86 is just amazing. Thank you for your insights!

[@RetiKingKnight]

There’s a reason Mozart respected Papa Haydn above all composers - as did Beethoven. Read “The Classical Style” by Rosen for an appreciation of all three composers. Haydn is the father of the symphony and his symphonies are exciting, entertaining energetic and brilliant. I love them.

[@nicolasgomezamin4076]

Dave, I wanted, first and foremost, to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do. Your videos have been an incredible source of learning and enjoyment since I discovered them! I was thinking that, perhaps, a good series could be about a particular composer and the conductor who, in your opinion, interprets them the best and is referential for the understanding of their music. For example, before learning it from you, I would’ve never thought to go to Bernstein for Haydn, and what a revelation it was when I heard his recordings! I apologize if you have already done something like this. You have a vast amount of material, and I might have overlooked a few things. But I feel that, as a conductor in formation, I would find it very helpful to have a reference about an artist I could learn from when studying a particular composer. Thanks again!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you. That's an interesting idea and I will certainly give it some thought.

[@jacksonhanson154]

Your taste in Vivace pieces and Overtures is unbelievable. Thank you for all the recommendations. #87 is Fantastic!!

[@jacksonhanson154]

I found you from a Rossini overture breakdown.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

My pleasure!

[@DanielRehn-v6m]

I'm a big fan of Bernstein, having listened to his NYP Tchaikovsky and Sibelius almost daily this summer. (Good for powerwalking). And Haydn is a composer never off my personal top 3 list. There are composers I admire equally and sometimes more, but Haydn is the composer closest to my heart. STILL I had never listened to this recording before I saw this video. Wow. Beautifully played and energentic and you can feel how much Bernstein loves this music in every bar. The most important ingredient for me when it comes to Haydn is joy. Or as Oprah Winfrey would have said: "JOOOOOOOOYYYY"

[@waynesmith3767]

Such an interesting and excellent choice.

[@scottthomas7870]

Dave Hurwitz makes me laugh as much as I appreciate his commentaries. After fawning over Bernstein's treatments of Mahler, he pulls out . . .Haydn! Whatta surprise! Just as Haydn's Symphony No. 94, it couldn't have been a coincidence.

[@mattbalfe2983]

I think people who think Bernstein is over sentimental and sloppy watch his conducting more than they actually listen to it.

[@aljacobsen6877]

Dave, your "impression" of weak sounding violins during the 1st mvt. of most 86 recordings around the 10:25 mark is priceless and made this listener cry laughing. Anytime you want to impersonate anyone on recordings not doing what they should be doing is fine by me! Thank you.

[@idflux]

Ebay had one Royal Edition, but I decided to watch this whole video. It was gone when I got back, so I got vinyl instead. You snooze, you lose. It's brutal out there.

[@catfdljws]

I had the Bernstein Century releases. Not sure how much overlap there is between those and the Royal Edition here.

[@thomasherreng3903]

I love the records he made in France for EMI. If I had to choose only one recording outside of his Mahler would be his Milhaud. He manages to balance the french charm of this music with an accute sense of rhythm ans a wonderful attention to thé details of orchestration. The same is true of his Ravel.

[@b1i2l336]

Lord, that would be an impossible choice for me! If pressed against the wall, knife at throat, and forced to name only one recording for this conductor it would have to be the NYPhil. Dvorak 'New World' Symphony. There has NEVER been a better recorded performance of the dozens I've heard. In one word: THRILLING!

[@jg5861]

Hello Dave! Thanks for the video! I was just now listening to an artist who would be a great one to talk about in this series, and not one who would come to the mind of many people: Andreas Scholl. I dare you! Cheers! Pedro Almeida

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

He's on the list. I should get to him in March, 2438.

[@jg5861]

@@DavesClassicalGuide I'm glad to know, I was sure he was going to be part of that list. I'm also sure that Theodor Currentzis will be at least 6439, so it's ok. (Hope that Cancrizans won't keep listening past 3690, otherwise music will be lost forever!)

[@danielo.masson353]

Thank you for this video. Was thinking of Bernstein Haydn 88 and 92 in Vienna yesterday as I was listening to.. André Cluytens recordings of symphonies 94 and 96 with the Paris Conservatory Orchestra in the mid 50's. I did not even know about these (alongside he recorded Haydn 44 and 104 with the same forces, and these are available in a Cluytens box). May be I am wrong but the virtues you mention about Bernstein conducting Haydn seem to my ears shared by Cluytens : elegance but also energy, balance, contrasts, dynamics and, supposedly, an equal attention to the score and the spirit. A pity he did not do more than these popular works.

[@DavidJohnson-of3vh]

YAY! I have those recordings. So fine.

[@felipeechavarria7229]

I'll say it again, Bernstein had a great love and appreciation for Haydn, which comes out in the performances..

[@stephenschroth3616]

Great choice. I didn't appreciate Mahler until I was 40, and that appreciation came from Bernstein's Mahler 2. That being said, I love Haydn so great pick.

[@maestroclassico5801]

Oh now this is interesting. Haydn wanted his PARIS symphonies played by a bigger Orchestra!! He wrote them that way.... it's like flipping off all of the period instrument chamber orchestra versions.

[@fltwwq]

I couldn't agree more. I am especially dazzled by the exquisite woodwind playing in the slow movements. Nowadays ppl play classical music like they're afraid to be impolite..soooo boring.

[@lesgoe8908]

Great video again. Looking forward to your take on the Bradley Cooper's "Maestro" film.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I have no plans to see it.

[@corgansow6173]

If there's one recording of Bernstein to keep, it's his Sibelius 1 with the Vienna Philharmonic. His heart-on-the-sleeve approach plus his staggering climaxes worked better here than with other Sibelius symphonies he conducted.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It's a disappointing recording sonically--very dry and tinny.

[@robertdandre94101]

If I had to choose just one Bernstein record, I would think of this Columbia Masterwork LP that I got when I was young, and which included the overtures of ''Mignon'' ''Zampa'' ''Guillaume Tell'' ''poet and peasant'' ''raymond'', irresistible record, very close and perfect sound recording, and Bernstein's ''effectiveness'' is well present on these two sides, which I always listen to with happiness.of course there are other and multiple.....discs like the west side story from dgg, but how can you not love bernstein....?

[@oakwoodian4465]

I agree - that's a great record. One of the best "William Tell" Overtures ever and "Raymond" is terrific too.

[@peacearchwa5103]

Bernstein's "Paris" Symphony performances have given me much joy ever since first buying them as a Columbia 3-LP set in 1977, then buying the Royal Edition 2-CD set in 1992. Did you know that the exceedingly opinionated and harsh music critic B.H. Haggin, who generally was quite negative towards Bernstein's live performances and recordings, actually praised and recommended these particular Bernstein Haydn recordings?

[@st.lukechamberorchestra5074]

Absolutely great choice. My personal favorite would be his live performance of Mozart's Requiem on DG, at tempos not even Celibidache would have dared try, with that last open 5th fading away into the cathedral ceiling.

[@moshegoldstein4663]

Dear dave Although im part of the musical business,for many years,i learned so much from you,and we are at the same age..having said this,im happy to try and answer the puzzle you raised..why haydn is still underated ... My answer is simple and maybe painful..try and ask the everage music lover to whistle or sing one or two of Haydn's melodies he loves...the answer would be difficult in away...in opposite to Beethoven or mozart....thats the answer to my opinion,at least...and i love haydn tremendously...

[@philippecassagne3192]

For Haydn's Paris symphonies, Kurt Sanderling interpretation seems to me excellent too. What is your comparative opinion of both, Dave ?

[@SoiledWig]

Of course the Columbia "100 Years 100 Discs" remastered set contains nos. 82 and 83 only.

[@davidaiken1061]

An understandable and appropriae choice. Bernstein was undoubtedly one of the greatest Haydn interpreters, and his set of the Paris Symphonies deserves its reference status. However, I still think Bernstein's historical significance as a conductor has more to do with his advocacy of Mahler at a time when that commposer was not omnipresent in American concert halls or on record.

[@richardfrankel6102]

Oh, if only Bernstein's London Symphonies were as well recorded as his Paris Symphonies! And, oh, if only Jochum had continued his Dresden recordings of the London Symphonies.

[@kyoban6673]

Why they didn't reissue this in recent times? The last cd reissue was in 2001

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Because Haydn doesn't "sell."

[@musiconrecord6724]

If Sony ever gets around to doing a genuinely complete "Remastered Bernstein" box (rather than the ridiculous effort of a couple of years ago), these recordings would be amongst the jewels in the crown. In the meantime it would be nice if Sony did a reissue of their Bernstein/Haydn box that included both sets of Paris and London symphonies, plus assorted masses. Don't hold your breath though! I couldn't agree with your positive comments regarding these recordings more. They are very special indeed.

[@jasonklein8102]

You must know who agreed with you wholeheartedly regarding LB's Haydn--H. C. Robbins Landon. I have it firsthand.

[@tip3y592]

we need to do the 1recording by karajan next time🎉

[@WesSmith-m6i]

This was fabulous! Thank you for such a ringing endorsement of Bernstein. I love him to pieces. Your choice of the Haydn Paris Symphonies surprised me, but that's more a reflection on how I've ignored Haydn, not on Bernstein. I need to learn more about Cancrizans. Is he alive and well?

[@dennischiapello7243]

Fascinating discussion about orchestral forces. Haydn seems to have struggled against the underpowered orchestras of his day, in the way that Beethoven wrote for a piano that hadn't been developed yet. Of course, that means Beethoven, too, must have been frustrated by contemporary orchestral forces. The difference is that his music was readily perceived by later generations as demanding powerful sound, whereas Haydn was viewed differently. I blame those damn white wigs!

[@Warp75]

I have a feeling my bank balance is not going to like this series

[@guillaumechabason3165]

😂😂

[@howard5259]

Thanks Dave - I never thought of Bernstein in relation to Haydn but I get what you're saying and can't wait to listen to those wonderful symphonies conducted by him. Do you think some composers need 'abandon' and others maybe do not in the same sense? Well, anyway, Haydn doesn't get enough abandon elsewhere.

[@philipmay3548]

Bernstein has a wide repertoire. Plenty of good potential choices. I would have gone with Copland.

[@daawesomedude6119]

Dave - Speaking of exceptional Mahler, I hope if you do one of these videos for Barshai, you choose the obvious choice of his Mahler 5!!! (Not that I think you're contrarian, but I do know that you don't like being predictable.) No matter how much of a following that recording gains, I will never stop advocating for how criminally underrated it is! They should just make students listen to that recording and burn their counterpoint textbooks! I am so strangely passionate about that recording, I simply had to request that you cover it at least once. Any fan of Mahler needs to do themselves the favor of listening to it...at least 5 times.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Watch my Mahler 5 video.

[@robhaynes4410]

It'll be interesting to see whether Haydn figures at all into "Maestro". Mahler is all over the trailer, of course.

[@TheAndrewJBaker]

The Capriccio in 86 as played by Bernstein is astounding - Haydn entering the romantic world - like a scene from the Mysteries of Udolpho. It might be Haydn’s most astounding movement.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

There are a couple of slow movements in the Op. 76 quartets that are equally amazing.

[@TheAndrewJBaker]

@@DavesClassicalGuide I agree. There’s a lifetime of music to discover in Haydn. As your excellent book explains!

[@maudia27]

Very funny...I was expecting Haydn and you convinced me it would be a Mahler recording...and then boom.

[@littlejohnuk]

Must admit when it comes to Haydn Symphonies I only listen to Bernstein

[@peterpierce52]

Sony or Dgg?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

He didn't record these for DG.

[@cedmcclish9008]

I thought for sure the Paris Symphonies would have been your pick for Harnoncourt…

[@stevouk]

Didn't Bernstein add a timp/bass drum to the last crotchet of his Concertgebouw Maher 1, contrary to the score? I love Bernstein, but I'm not sure it's true he was always faithful to the score.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

No conductor is "always faithful" to the score. You miss the point bigly.

[@NealSchultz]

The symphony before Beethoven definitely lives with Haydn. I find myself saying Papa Haydn IS the father of the symphony. NOT Mozart. Mozart and his operas - terrific. His symphony works - Mozart is generally BLAH (the 41st, 35, 38th are his only exceptions). For symphonies Haydn is SO STRONG....and important. It would have been interesting if Bernstein had recorded Daphnis. (Did he?).

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes.