A Total Embrace: The Conductor in Bloomington, MN

In addition to being one of America's most lauded composers,
Leonard Bernstein
(1918-1990) conducted
the New York Philharmonic
from 1943 through 1969. His no-nonsense approach to
classical
music was considered controversial, if not somewhat radical, yet his contributions are immeasurable, especially as he crossed cultural lines, exposing the masses to luminous works of symphonic art, many for the first time. He went so far as to demystify the masters, making them palatable for the common listener as well as the studious enthusiast. Since the maestro's copious catalog is undeniably daunting and to honor what would have been his 85th birthday, in 2003
Sony Music
created anthologies titled
A Total Embrace: The Conductor
and
A Total Embrace: The Composer
. The three-volume mid-price
Conductor
set contains nearly four hours of
Bernstein
's offerings from behind the podium. While not presented chronologically, the tracks span nearly a quarter-century, from
the Columbia Symphony Orchestra
's 1950 rendition of
Maurice Ravel
's
Sheherazade: II. La Flute Enchantee
through to a 1975 recording of
Hector Berlioz
Requiem, Op. 5 from Dies Irae: "Tuba Mirum."
In between,
's repertoire is thoroughly embodied with arguably definitive recitals ranging from the finale of
Mozart
Symphony No. 39 in E flat Major, KV 543
to
Charles Ives
'
The Unanswered Question
. The latter is just one of several complete compositions; others of note are an unequaled interpretation of
Aaron Copland
El Salon Mexico
and the legendary reading of
George Gershwin
"Rhapsody in Blue"
from
the St. George Hotel
in Brooklyn, NY, where
not only leads
but also plays the piano. The only thing that could have improved on the package would be more specific and detailed annotations, as interested parties are presumably novices. Otherwise,
are highly recommended entrees and sizable career overviews. ~ Lindsay Planer