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Leonard Bernstein

The Best of Bernstein

Deutsche Grammophon

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Bernstein - Complete Recordings on DG and Decca (Trailer)
Complete Works (Trailer)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 / Bernstein & New York Philharmonic Orchestra
1 Bernstein: Candide Overture  
2 Beethoven: Symphony No.7 in A Major, Op.92 / Allegro con brio  
3 Bernstein: Maria from West Side Story  
4 Bernstein: America from West Side Story  
5 Bernstein: I Feel Pretty from West Side Story  
6 Bernstein: Ballet Sequence - Somewhere from West Side Story  
7 Brahms: Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op.102 / Andante  
8 Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue  
9 Dvorak: Slavonic Dances, Op.46, B.83 / No.3 in A-flat  
10 Bernstein: Slava! - A Political Overture / Fast and Flamboyant  
11 Bernstein: New York, New York from On The Town  
12 Debussy: Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune L.86  
13 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 (Pathetique), Op.74 / Allegro molto vivace  
14 Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op.77 / Allegro giocoso  
15 Mozart: Piano Concerto No.17 in G Major, K.453 / Allegretto  
16 Beethoven: Symphony No.9 / Presto - Allegro assai - Rezitativo  
17 Bernstein: Chichester Psalms / Psalm 131 - Psalm 133  
18 Barber: Adagio for Strings, Op.11  
19 Mendelssohn: Symphony No.4 in A Major, Op.90 - Saltarello  
20 Haydn: Die Himmel erzahlen die Ehre Gottes / Dem kommenden Tage sagt es der Tag  
21 Stravinsky: Berceuse from The Firebird Suite  
22 Stravinsky: Finale from The Firebird Suite  
23 Copland: Quiet City  
24 Shostakovich: Symphony No.1, Op.10 / Allegretto - Allegro non troppo  
25 Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, Op.36 - Nimrod  
26 Bernstein: Make Our Garden Grow - From Candide  
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Leonard Bernstein unquestionably was one of the most astonishing and magnetic personalities in the world of music. He bestrode the musical scene in the second half of the 20th century like few others: composer, conductor, pianist, educator; but it was as a great communicator – of music and through music – that every facet of his life and legacy is bound together. He was a Renaissance man, a multifaceted genius, but it was his career as a composer that meant the very most to him.

Deutsche Grammophon joins the Bernstein centennial celebrations with a range of offerings including box sets, LPs and new recordings.

The Best of Bernstein is a 3-CD compilation featuring some of Bernstein's very best recordings for Deutsche Grammophon. This album is only available to classical radio stations at an exclusive rate to support fund drives and even includes a special note of thanks to listeners and donors for their support. The album is programmed as a celebration of Bernstein's work as both a composer and conductor and features excerpts from Candide and West Side Story as well as ever-popular works by Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Gershwin, Mozart, Shostakovich, Stravinsky and others.

  • A rescue operation salvages Leonard Bernstein's final opera; 'A Quiet Place' / The New York Times
    Posted At: March 10, 2022 12:00 AM
    Review:  In Paris, a new production of “A Quiet Place” makes a strong case for a work that has long struggled to join the repertory.

    The New York Times - Joshua Barone writes…..“We’re going to listen to music that describes emotions — feelings like pain, happiness, loneliness, anger, love,” Leonard Bernstein once said during an episode of his beloved, televised “Young People’s Concerts.”“I guess...
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  • Leonard Bernstein Biopic, directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, moves forward with Netflix / The Bulletin Time
    Posted At: January 22, 2020 12:00 AM

    On the heels of Oscar nods for The Irishman and Marriage Story, Netflix has secured the rights to the in-development biopic of Leonard Bernstein from Bradley Cooper. The Oscar nominee will direct and star throughout the film; he moreover co-wrote the script with Josh Singer and is among the many many producers. The deal marks Paramount's departure from the Amblin mission. Producing alongside Cooper, ...
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  • PBS: Great Performances - The Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood, debuts on stations around the country / PLAYBILL
    Posted At: December 28, 2018 12:00 AM

    The summer concert spotlighted Bernstein's talents as a composer, his gifts as a great interpreter and champion of other composers, his role as an inspiration to a new generation of musicians, and his presence as a driving musical force at Tanglewood from 1940–1990. The Boston Symphony Orchestra was joined by members of the New York Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel Philharmon...
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  • Miami-Dade's 'Jazz Roots' series celebrates the Leonard Bernstein centennial / South Florida Times
    Posted At: November 2, 2018 12:00 AM

    Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County recently announced the launch of the 11th season of its internationally acclaimed Jazz Roots series with "Leonard Bernstein 100 and Beyond," a centennial celebration of one of America's greatest and best-loved music superstars, on Friday, Nov. 9. The one-night-only tribute to the world-renowned composer, conductor and pianist features...
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  • Watch, perhaps the greatest 5 minutes of music education
    Posted At: September 7, 2018 12:00 AM

    p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #606060} p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #606060} Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was a world-renowned musician throughout his entire adult life. He served as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and conducted the world's major orchestras,...
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  • Leonard Bernstein at 100, a monument to Los Angeles / LATimes
    Posted At: August 25, 2018 12:00 AM

    Before I dive into this week's edition, I gotta say I'm all about this photo of Leonard Bernstein baring some chest and holding a cocktail. Times classical music critic Mark Swed has a thorough accounting to mark the 100th anniversary of the composer's birth, which is Saturday. "Had he not conducted exuberant and shamanistic concerts seeming to inject music from his inner being directly into your blo...
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  • Jamie Bernstein - NPR Q&A
    Posted At: August 25, 2018 12:00 AM

    Jamie Bernstein can't call her childhood a typical one. On any given weekend, she might find Lauren Bacall, Isaac Stern, Richard Avedon, Mike Nichols, Stephen Sondheim, Lillian Hellman or Sidney Lumet hanging out at her house. Jamie's father was Leonard Bernstein. The celebrated conductor, composer of West Side Story and host of television's Young People's Concerts was born 100 years ago,...
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  • What Lenny means to me / Los Angeles Times
    Posted At: August 24, 2018 12:00 AM

    Some wanted to talk about his legacy. Others recalled how he was inspirational or what "Lenny" was like as a person. The president of Bard College celebrated his political and social engagement. Violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Lara Downes cited him as a continuing touchstone. Leonard Bernstein would have turned 100 years old Saturday, and in honor of the centennial, The Times reached out to the music w...
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  • Join Classical101 for Lenny party
    Posted At: August 23, 2018 12:00 AM

    Over the last few months, during Classical 101's Bernstein Summer, you've enjoyed our Bernstein Minutes on-air and online, along with countless performances of Leonard Bernstein's fabulous music in the run-up to the Aug. 25 centennial of his birth.  The big day arrives Saturday, and The American Sound is marking the occasion with a special Bernstein Centennial celebration honoring the ma...
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  • 89.7WCPE members celebrate Bernstein centennial with 'The Best of Bernstein'
    Posted At: August 20, 2018 12:00 AM

    To celebrate the Leonard Bernstein Centennial, The Classical Station is offering for a limited time The Best of Bernstein 3-CD compilation featuring some of Leonard Bernstein's very best recordings for Deutsche Grammophon. This album is not available for purchase. You can only get it by supporting your non-profit classical radio station. The Best of Berstein is programmed as a celebration of Bern...
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  • Bernstein's letters and songs fit together for 'Dear Lenny' revue / Minneapolis Star Tribune
    Posted At: August 20, 2018 12:00 AM

    The composer's letters and songs fit together in a revue that pays tribute to Bernstein's enduring legacy. Dan Chouinard, Prudence Johnson, Bradley Greenwald and Diana Grasselli toast Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday in "Dear Lenny." Six excellent musicians perform a new Open Eye Figure Theatre production; "Dear Lenny: Bernstein's Life in Songs & Letters," running from Aug...
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  • The Best of Bernstein is WFMT: Featured New Release
    Posted At: August 20, 2018 12:00 AM

    Leonard Bernstein unquestionably was one of the most astonishing and magnetic personalities in the world of music. He bestrode the musical scene in the second half of the 20th century like few others: composer, conductor, pianist, educator; but it was as a great communicator – of music and through music – that every facet of his life and legacy is bound together. He was a Renaissance man, a m...
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  • The Best of Bernstein is KDFC - Album of the Week
    Posted At: August 19, 2018 12:00 AM

    This week's Album of the Week also benefits KDFC: San Francisco ! Become a member of KDFC for just $10 a month (or $120 all at once) and we will send you this week's Album of the Week, "The Best of Bernstein." It's a special 3-CD set featuring Bernstein the conductor, the composer and the performer, created especially for public radio – not available anywhere else! We only have a limited quantity o...
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  • The Best of Bernstein is KUSC - Album of the Week
    Posted At: August 19, 2018 12:00 AM

    This week's Album of the Week also benefits KUSC: Los Angeles ! Become a member of KDFC for just $10 a month (or $120 all at once) and we will send you this week's Album of the Week, "The Best of Bernstein." It's a special 3-CD set featuring Bernstein the conductor, the composer and the performer, created especially for public radio – not available anywhere else! We only have a limited qu...
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  • How much do you REALLY know about Leonard Bernstein? / Take the WFMT quiz
    Posted At: August 15, 2018 12:00 AM

    Leonard Bernstein was born on August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Flamboyant, inspired and voracious in his conducting style, Bernstein got his big break conducting the New York Philharmonic in 1943. He was one of the first American-born conductors to lead world-class orchestras. He composed the score for the musical West Side Story. After battling emphysema, he died at the age of 72. ...
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  • WOSU public media posts their 'Lenny List'
    Posted At: August 14, 2018 12:00 AM

    p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #606060} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #606060; min-height: 14.0px} It's simply too difficult to create a list of recordings made by conductor Leonard Bernstein that could be called "The Best of Lenny" or "The Definitive Bernstein List." Instead, this Lenny List calls ...
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  • Why Bernstein still inspires - New BBC doc / The Guardian
    Posted At: August 13, 2018 12:00 AM

    "Dear Lenny. I have faith in very little these days … problems with the Soviet Union, problems with Cuba, problems with South Africa – get me down … Nothing seems to make much sense any more…" So begins a heartfelt letter to America's greatest 20th century composer and conductor, written in June 1978 by a 15-year-old girl who'd never met him, but who believes, four decades late...
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  • Star-studded Tanglewood gala concert celebrating Leonard Bernstein centennial set for PBS broadcast / OPERAWIRE
    Posted At: July 27, 2018 12:00 AM

    Tanglewood has announced that its star-studded gala concert, celebrating Leonard Bernstein's centennial on August 25, 2018, will be recorded by Great Performances and broadcast on PBS, bringing this event to audiences in their homes throughout America, Europe, and Asia on December 28, 2018. The concert will be hosted by Audra McDonald and directed by James Darrah; among the names appearing in the con...
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  • Bobby Sanabria remakes 'West Side Story' / WBGO
    Posted At: July 16, 2018 12:00 AM

    Leonard Bernstein's progressive musical West Side Story is having a moment. Steven Spielberg has been casting a highly anticipated new film adaptation, with a script by Tony Kushner - and just last week, a new Broadway production was announced, with director Ivo van Hove and choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. In the mist of all this clamor comes West Side Story Reimagined, a new album by drummer-b...
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  • Brace yourself for a Leonard Bernstein summer / Los Angeles Times
    Posted At: July 12, 2018 12:00 AM

    There will be no escaping the heat or Lenny. Brace yourself for a Leonard Bernstein summer. The greatest and most inspiring all-around musician this country (or arguably any country) has produced would have turned 100 Aug. 25. "Bernstein 100, the official international centenary celebration, has reached just about everywhere ("Wonderful Town" in Latvian, anyone?). Recordings, new and reissues alike, ...
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  • BSO is turning this Tanglewood season into an 8 week birthday party, celebrating Leonard Bernstein's 100th / Connecticut Public Radio
    Posted At: July 2, 2018 12:00 AM

    Leonard Bernstein's ghost has hung discreetly around the grounds of Tanglewood for the past 28 years, ever since the maestro died in the fall of 1990. This summer, Lenny's ghost will pretty much have the run of the place. Bernstein would have turned 100 on August 25. To observe the occasion, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is basically turning this Tanglewood season into an eight-week running birthday part...
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  • Bernstein centennial spotlights Tanglewood summer season / Worcester Telegram
    Posted At: June 24, 2018 12:00 AM

    The great American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein had a 50-year association with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood, the orchestra's summer home in the Berkshire Hills. Bernstein, a Lawrence native, was a student at Tanglewood in 1940, and as a conductor returned virtually every summer to work with both the Boston Symphony and Tanglewood Music Center (student) orchestras. On Aug. 29, ...
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  • 'Leonard Bernstein at 100' set for the Skirball / LA Times
    Posted At: June 23, 2018 12:00 AM

    The Leonard Bernstein Office says that more than 2,300 events have been planned worldwide to celebrate the centennial of the composer and conductor - the vast majority of them only touching on some aspect of this protean figure, whose reputation seems to grow with each passing year. Here in Los Angeles, however, you can experience much of Bernstein's world in one place: The Skirball Cultural Center is ho...
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  • Help Montana Public Radio commemorate Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday
    Posted At: June 2, 2018 12:00 AM

    The energetic and thrilling sounds of American composer Leonard Bernstein have influenced much of our listening experience and music-making today.  Join MTPR this August 20-26 as we commemorate the 100th birthday of the composer, conductor, performer, educator, and humanitarian. Montana Public Radio wants to hear from listeners reflecting on the impact Bernstein's music, performances, educationa...
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  • Jake Gyllenhaal will star In Leonard Bernstein biopic / /FILM
    Posted At: May 7, 2018 12:00 AM

    Leonard Bernstein, famous for composing the music for West Side Story and for being the only lyric anyone can remember from R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)", is getting a biopic courtesy of Cary Fukunaga. Now, it looks like Fukunaga has found his leading man: Jake Gyllenhaal. Jake Gyllenhaal is coming for that Oscar, so you better watch out. The actor has joined Ca...
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  • 'Leonard Bernstein at 100' exhibition comes to Skirball Center / LA Weekly
    Posted At: April 27, 2018 12:00 AM

    If you combine Lin-Manuel Miranda's command of the stage, Hans Zimmer's skilled compositions and Gustavo Dudamel's conducting flair, you could access a peephole view of the 20th century's quintessential Renaissance man, Leonard Bernstein. Far more multifaceted than any millennial, Bernstein is the youngest ever conductor of the New York Philharmonic, the composer of both stage and film versions of West S...
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  • How L.A. is celebrating Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday / Los Angeles Magazine
    Posted At: April 11, 2018 12:00 AM

    To people under 50, Leonard Bernstein is a line in an R.E.M. song. But from the 1957 Broadway debut of West Side Story (for which he wrote the music) to his stint conducting Beethoven at the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Massachusetts-born composer and conductor was among the most protean and dynamic characters alive. Whatever you think he was, Bernstein, who died in 1990, was always something else: m...
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  • Kate Baldwin celebrates Leonard Bernstein at Lyric Opera / WTTW: Chicago Tonight
    Posted At: March 11, 2018 12:00 AM

    Legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein died nearly 30 years ago, but his legacy continues to loom large. That's because his prodigious talent and charisma made him a superstar on many fronts, as the composer of "West Side Story" and "Candide," film scores, symphonies, ballets and operas. And he was a conductor who could find the unexplored depths of many scores. He also had great skills in co...
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  • Leonard Bernstein worried that he would only be remembered as the man who wrote 'West Side Story' / Minneapolis Star Tribune
    Posted At: February 9, 2018 12:00 AM

    As a composer, critics argued, Leonard Bernstein was a dabbler. A dilettante. A musical magpie who filched other people's ideas. A part-time composer who hogged the spotlight as the New York Philharmonic's flamboyant conductor. "Bernstein does not compose with either originality or much skill," wrote composer Virgil Thomson from his bully pulpit as music critic for the New York Herald Tribune. "M...
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  • Bernstein100, find out what I'm all about / WRTI: Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection
    Posted At: January 30, 2018 12:00 AM

    There's that video that's made the rounds on YouTube for years-Leonard Bernstein not conducting the Vienna Philharmonic in the Finale of the Haydn Symphony No. 88. Right, not conducting: It's an encore, and as the applause dies away, he starts the music, then drops his hands to his side. Coming up on Discoveries from the Fleisher Collection on WRTI 90.1, February 3 at 5 pm. For the rest of the moveme...
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  • Leonard Bernstein 100th anniversary celebrations set to begin / AP - WTOP
    Posted At: September 21, 2017 12:00 AM

    He was a wunderkind: the youngest music director ever to lead the New York Philharmonic and the genius behind the score to "West Side Story." The late Leonard Bernstein would have turned 100 next year, and on Friday, the Boston Symphony Orchestra kicks off a new season dedicated to the Massachusetts-born composer-conductor, one of America's most famous maestros. Carnegie Hall gets into the act, too, ...
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  • Leonard Bernstein & New York Philharmonic get 2014 GRAMMY Nomination for 'Stravinsky: Le Sacre Du Printemps'
    Posted At: December 7, 2013 12:00 AM

    Congratulations to Crossover Media Artist: Leonard Bernstein & New York Philharmonic on their 2014 GRAMMY Nomination for: 'Stravinsky: Le Sacre Du Printemps' on Sony Classical, in the Best Album Notes category. The 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards will air Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, on CBS....
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  • Sony Classical Celebrates 100th Anniversary Of Stravinsky's Le Sacre Du Printemps
    Posted At: May 8, 2013 12:00 AM

    A century ago, on May 29, 1913, the premiere performance of Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring shocked a Paris audience that included Debussy, Ravel, Picasso, and Proust. Audience members rioted at the work's "unexpected eruption of rebarbative dissonances, off-kilter rhythms, obsessive-compulsive ostinati and agitated mood-swinging dynamics," as Jonathan Cott puts it in the al...
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