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Bernstein: Symphony No. 3 ‘Kaddish’
Claire Bloom (narrator), Kelley Nassief (soprano 1), Paulo Mestre (countertenor)
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The Maryland State Boychoir, The Washington Chorus, The São Paulo Symphony Choir, Members of The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop
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...
Bernstein: Symphony No. 3 ‘Kaddish’
Claire Bloom (narrator), Kelley Nassief (soprano 1), Paulo Mestre (countertenor)
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The Maryland State Boychoir, The Washington Chorus, The São Paulo Symphony Choir, Members of The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop
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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...
About
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.
Contents and tracklist
- Paulo Mestre
- Coro da Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
- Marin Alsop
- Claire Bloom, Kelley Nassief
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Washington Chorus, Maryland State Boychoir
- Marin Alsop
- Claire Bloom, Paulo Mestre
- Coro da Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo
- Marin Alsop
- Recorded: 29-30 November 2012
- Recording Venue: Sala Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Spotlight on this release
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Leonard Bernstein
25th Aug 2018
On the composer's 100th birthday, Chris recommends some favourite recordings of his key works across all genres, from the ever-popular West Side Story to comparative rarities like Trouble in Tahiti and the song-cycles.
Awards and reviews
November 2015
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 and Alsop's excellent Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the narration's gentleness of tone nullifies an essential element of the work
September 2015
[Kaddish is] recorded here in a performance of great conviction from Marin Alsop, with the wonderful Claire Bloom achieving a happy medium between the declamatory and the confidential…there are instances of pure gold - a consoling lullaby at the heart of the piece (featuring limpid soprano Kelley Nassief) which Bernstein called his 'Pietà'.
20th September 2015
Alsop’s account of the Kaddish outclasses the composer’s second recording (DG) with Montserrat Caballé and the Israel Philharmonic...The piece itself seems to grow in stature, and the conductor’s Baltimore forces perform with blazing conviction.
17th September 2015
Alsop gets colour and intensity from the orchestra, but the singing voices are far back in the mix and sound thin. In the other works, the energetic São Paulo Symphony Choir emerges more impressively.
