[ Naxos American Classics / CD ]
Release Date: Thursday 3 September 2015
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Three examples of Leonard Bernstein's vocal art can be heard in this recording. His Symphony No. 3 'Kaddish' shuns traditional symphonic ideas in favor of an eclectic theatrical and oratorio-like form with a prominent rôle for speaker. For this recording Marin Alsop has returned to the work's original narrative text, heard before the 1977 revision. The Lark - heard in a concert version with added narration - derives from Lillian Hellman's adaptation of L'Alouette on the life of Joan of Arc, and it was this music that Bernstein reworked into his Missa Brevis many years later.
Marin Alsop is a Bernstein protégé, and has written fondly and extensively about studying with him. He mentored her when he was conductor of the New York Philharmonic and few conductors today understand his music better. This disc presents Bernstein the vocal composer performed inlargely original editions by one of his best contemporary interpreters. The speaker in Kaddish is the great actress Claire Bloom.
"Claire Bloom delivers [Kaddish] in a calm, inward manner, as if at prayer, without the fierce anger generated on Bernstein's first recording…despite assured, purposeful contributions by the choirs..." - BBC Music Magazine
Symphony No. 3 'Kaddish'
Claire Bloom (narrator), Kelley Nassief (soprano 1)
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The Maryland State Boychoir, The Washington Chorus
Missa Brevis
Paulo Mestre (countertenor)
The São Paulo Symphony Choir, Members of The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra
The Lark
Claire Bloom (narrator), Paulo Mestre (countertenor)
The São Paulo Symphony Choir, Members of The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra