Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – Mendelssohn: Symphony No.3, Hebrides Overture (1980/2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 49:10 minutes | 956 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon (DG)
The legendary Leonard Bernstein leads the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in this recording of works by Mendelssohn. The picturesque evocations of Scotland’s rugged landscape in the Symphony No. 3 are delightfully realized in this passionate and emotive interpretation and the highly Romantic Hebridesoverture is beautifully painted by Bernstein and his orchestra.
The Reformation is the least popular of Mendelssohn’s three best-known symphonies, though I suspect it means much more to any German listener, to whom the use of the Dresden Amen, the hymn Ein’ feste Burg, and other themes that lie deep in the German soul will mean more than it does to us. Bernstein gives it a rather uncommitted reading, underplaying a good many points. He gets notably good soft playing from the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and much of it is certainly passionate. The balance is not ideal, the bassoon often being much stronger than the clarinet, for instance. I found it difficult to get much enjoyment from such a routine performance but that may have been my lack of responsiveness to the music, especially to the last movement which seems to me very lacking in inspiration.“ (Gramophone)
Tracklist:
1-1. Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – The Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave), Op.26, MWV P7 (09:56)
1-2. Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – 1. Andante con moto – Allegro un poco agitato – Assai animato – Andante come prima (13:51)
1-3. Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – 2. Vivace non troppo (04:09)
1-4. Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – 3. Adagio (11:14)
1-5. Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – 4. Allegro vivacissimo – Allegro maestoso assai (09:58)
Personnel:
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Leonard Bernstein, conductor
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