Leonard Bernstein

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:31 pm

Hi Everyone

Don't know if anyone caught the superb program 'Bernstein - 10 of the Best' on BBC4 at the weekend?
I really enjoyed it, wonderful music and some really interesting insights in music writing.

'Maria' made the list of Bernstein's top ten compositions - a tune which has been hot debated elsewhere in the forum!

Also included were 'America', 'New York, New York' & the theme from 'On The Waterfront'.

Gray

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:53 pm

What about Glitter And Be Gay, the soprano aria from Candide? That should be on any top 10 Bernstein list.

I hope One Hand One Heart didn't make the list. I heard that sung at too many weddings in the 1960s and 1970s! It's one of the most uninteresting and sappy songs ever written.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:41 pm

I have a cd and dvd by Leonard Bernstein called "New York" featuring stars of US musicals --like Mandy Patinkin, Audra Macdonald, Dawn Upsahw, Richard Muenz--great music--mostly unknown to me previously, as I only ever associated him with West Side Story---it includes "One hand, One Heart" and I disagree with Jeff, as I think it is a beautiful song, especially when it is performed by good singers.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:43 pm

I must admit that I only know about Leonard Bernstein throught West Side Story. The BBC did a documentary about 25 years ago showing him remake it with Dame Kiri Ti Kanawa playing the part of Maria and Jose Carreras as Tony ( i hope I spelt their names right!). With some other fantastic operatic voices, and the backing of a full orchestra, the songs took on a whole new life, far removed that of the classic movie (although I think that in itself was an amazingly vibrant picture). The recording was published by Deutsche Gramphon and is well worth a listen.

From that version, my favourite song was 'Tonight', as it goes from being a bright tune (as Maria plans to meet Tony) to a more sinister one as the rival gangs plan 'the rumble'. 'America' is a wonderfully comic song as the migrants discuss the pros and cons of there new lives in America with the misery they have left behind in Puerto Rico'. Finally, 'Officer Krupke' is another witty observation, this time of the treatment of 'juvenile
delinquents'

Sorry Mariana - I have to say that 'One hand, one heart' isn't on my list of favourites - although 'Somewhere' is (Bobby Darin did a lovely version

)

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:39 am

Hi Jeff

Don't think Glitter and be Gay didn't make the list, sorry!
Neither did One Hand One Heart though.

Mike, the program showed plenty of clips from the show you mentioned, including Jose Carreras singing 'Maria', which I thought was electric, and is the best I think I've ever heard him sing.

Gray

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:26 pm

Mike, have you heard Matts version of "Somewhere" - best ever

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:01 pm

Sorry, forgot I wa on the MM website

I have indeed Robert heard Matts version, and it is smashing!

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:03 pm

Gray - even Jeff may like 'Maria' as song by Jose Carreras!

I think they went on to repeat the same format, using Kiri and Jose to sing 'South Pacific'. It was less memorable, but the treatment they gave to West Side Story was brilliant

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:47 pm

Yes, now you mention it Mike, I do remember the South Pacific show.
I never saw it, but it can't of topped Morecambe & Wise's magnificent spectacle

Gray

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:02 pm

Ahh - the BBC Newsreaders lol! One of my fave M & W moments only beaten by Shirley Bassey and Adnre Preview!

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:37 pm

Yes, Andrew Preview of Fingle's Cave, isn't it?

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:08 pm

I remember the "South Pacific" studio recording, mainly because it had Mandy Patinkin singing "Younger than Springtime"---it was just brilliant !!!!

And I do remember the Morecambe and Wise "There is nothing like a Dame" with all the newsreaders of the day ---likewise-just brilliant. But a different brilliant.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:10 pm

Not sure who Mandy Patinkin? I thought that song was sung by a man?

And not sure about Fingles Cave either Gray?!

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:19 pm

Mandy Pantinkin is a Broadway artist. He's been in many shows and has done many recordings. I believe he even sang with Madonna on her (comic strip character) Tracy CD, but I may not recalling that properly. He has a good voice, but a bit too theatrical for my tastes.

Isn't Fingal's Cave something written by Felix Mendelssohn? Is it an actual place or a TV show?

I only want to hear Maria sung by Matt Monro. I don't like the song, but I like it sung by Matt Monro. Generally I don't care for opera singers singing show tunes.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:26 pm

You are quite right Jeff--Mandy Patinkin does occasionally go over the top--but other times he just sounds so good---and such an unusual voice !!

I think I mentioned before that his cd called "Experiment" is one of my top 5 cds--I love it--every track on it.