Bernstein/NYPO: Copland Symphony No. 3 + Quiet City - DG 419 170-1 (DDD)

$

31

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This beautiful and rare LP from Deutsche Grammophon (419 170-1, German pressing, DDD stereo) features Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic’s magnificent account of Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3, taped “live” in Concert at Avery Fischer Hall, New York in December 1985 (producer: Hanno Rinke / recording supervision: Hans Weber / engineer: Klaus Scheibe). Filling out the disc is Bernstein and the NYPO’s hauntingly elegiac reading of Copland’s Quiet City (with trumpet solo by Philip Smith and English horn solo by Thomas Stacy), set down at New York’s Manhattan Center, also in December 1985.

Wrote the critic M.E.O. in his review for the November 1986 issue of The Gramophone:

“Copland intended this symphony as a 'grand gesture' and there is no doubt at any point in Bernstein's performance that a big statement is being made: there is passionate earnestness in the opening movement and tremendous impact to the brass and drums at the beginning of the scherzo, the central mood of the andantino is one of vibrant intensity, while the finale is a public address of great splendour. Even the innocent simplicity, rather Appalachian Spring-like, with which the trio section opens soon gives way to heartfelt rather than intimately confiding strings, and fullvoiced vehemence follows hard upon the bright glitter of the scherzo's return. All the more effective, then, the chill pallor of the violins ushering in the slow movement and the lovely, quiet solemnity of the finale's long-delayed 'third subject', but I could have done with more such moments, and suspect that they could readily be found in a symphony that is not all confidence and majestic optimism. It is not that Bernstein ignores ambiguities, shadows and uncertainties, but that he projects them, too, as public, slightly histrionic gestures.

“However, it is undoubtedly the 'positive' aspects of the work that have made its reputation, and they could hardly be more eloquently stated: the dance-like rhythms are crisp and springy, the Fanfare for the common man, quoted in its entirety as an earnest of the grandeur of the finale's gestures, is magnificently sonorous and the noble . conclusion of the work is vastly impressive. Quiet City is given a no less deeply felt reading; again, the vibrato of the solo trumpet and the soft richness of the strings in their fuller pages struck me as very slightly over-acted.

“The symphony was recorded at a public concert (before an exceptionally well-trained or uncommonly healthy audience: not a cough is to be heard) and the sound has plenty of power and edge but not quite enough richness to the bass; high strings sometimes take on a dazzling glare. The much more reticently scored Quiet City, made in the studio, has no such problems.”

Incidentally, the striking cover photo of Copland and Bernstein together was taken by Walter H. Scott. There are superb liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket in English, German, and French by Anthony Burton.

CONDITION:

The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.

The condition of the jacket is EXCELLENT. There is slight bumping/wear at corners, as well as minor creasing, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, owners' markings, bends, or other defects and the album remains solid, bright, glossy, and very attractive – overall, an excellent collector's copy. 

The condition of the LP itself is near-MINT. Although surfaces are not absolutely silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT), really this is a very fine copy and playback is truly superb. However, if you must have absolutely perfect surfaces, then please do not buy this LP. Overall, this rates as a very fine collector's copy.

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