BERNSTEIN - BEETHOVEN • PART IV

Bernstein : Beethoven Missa Solemnis Choral Fantasy 

" The DVD recording of Bernstein's Missa Solemnis, as always very well directed by Humphrey Burton, captures concerts in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw in February and March 1978. The generous filler works, minor but thoroughly enjoyable Beethoven, were recorded in Vienna in 1978 (Prometheus) and 1985 (Choral Fantasy) respectively. We can thank the heavens that we have so many documents, both visual and acoustic, from ..... 

Release 15 Sep. 2008

Bernstein's incredibly productive period in the 1970s and 1980s, then at the peak of his career as a musician, and of his highly felicitous collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic. His Missa Solemnis is exceptionally clear, transparent and, at the same time, both monumental and sublime. Supported by the four absolutely outstanding soloists and the most refined playing from the Concertgebouw Orchestra and equally fine singing from the Radio Hilversum Chorus, this is a great performance that has stood the test of time already in its CD version and is even more welcome in the DVD format. Shame on DG for not crediting the superb concertmaster Herman Krebbers for his heavenly solo in the Benedictus in the DVD notes. The Prometheus excerpts are delivered with much gusto and panache by the conductor and orchestra alike, in the Choral Fantasy the piano soloist Homero Francesch displays brilliance and tact when he brings off some of Beethoven's more banal inventions very convincingly. It appears that this DVD is out of print. If you can still find it, grab it!  

 By gpk (Forest Grove, OR, United States)  

Bernstein - Beethoven Cycle Part 4

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Beethoven:

Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123 Hanna Schwarz (mezzo-soprano), Edda Moser (soprano), René Kollo (tenor) & Kurt Moll (bass) Chorus of Radio Hilversum & Concertgebouw Orchestra Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80 Homero Francesch (piano) Wiener Jeunesse-Chor & Wiener Philharmoniker The Creatures Of Prometheus: Excerpts from the Ballet Music Wiener Philharmoniker

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Leonard Bernstein & Humphrey Burton (director)

Recording Place & Date:
Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, February/March 1978 (Missa solemnis)
Musikverein, Vienna, October/November 1985 (Choral fantasy)
Musikverein, Vienna, November 1978 (The Creatures of Prometheus)

 [ LINK ]  (image nero + cover hidden in dvd)