Wiener Philharmoniker, Leonard Bernstein – Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (1987/2022) SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Wiener Philharmoniker, Leonard Bernstein – Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (1987/2022)
SACD Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 01:15:02 minutes | 3.01 GB
Genre: Classical | Publisher (label): Deutsche Grammophon / Esoteric – ESSG-90266

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New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82 & Pohjola’s Daughter, Op. 49 (1965/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82 & Pohjola’s Daughter, Op. 49 (1965/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 45:27 minutes | 452 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical

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Zino Francescatti, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Thomas Schippers, Leonard Bernstein – Sibelius: Concerto in D Minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 47 / Bruch: Concerto No. 1 in G Minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 26 (1965/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Zino Francescatti, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Thomas Schippers, Leonard Bernstein – Sibelius: Concerto in D Minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 47 / Bruch: Concerto No. 1 in G Minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 26 (1965/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 50:43 minutes | 501 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical

Bernstein – Remastered Edition: Sibelius – The Symphonies collects Bernstein’s complete Sibelius recordings, newly remastered from the original analogue tapes using 24 bit / 96 kHz technology in a 7CD limited original jackets collection.

Bernstein regarded Sibelius alongside Mahler as one of “the key turning points” in the development of the 20th century symphony, though his reputation as a Mahler exponent has overshadowed a lifelong dedication to the Finnish composer. His advocacy goes back to the time of his association with Koussevitzky, with whom he studied at Tanglewood in 1940, later becoming his assistant. At Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute in 1941, he conducted the Second Symphony. And following his sensational New York Philharmonic debut in November 1943, one of Bernstein’s first engagements was a Montreal Symphony Orchestra concert in March 1944 that included his first performance of the First.

The Finnish composer’s centenary year, 1965, brought a flurry of activity. In New York, Bernstein conducted all the symphonies in a single season (only his mentor Serge Koussevitzky had done that in the US, three decades earlier in Boston). For his efforts, Bernstein was made a Commander of the Order of the Lion by the president of Finland. By this time, he was already well into his recorded Sibelius cycle, begun in February 1961 with the Fifth Symphony, completed in May 1967 with the Sixth.

Bernstein’s Sibelius, like his teacher’s, was “warm like the sun” rather than a more orthodox evocation of cold northern soundscapes. He once called Sibelius “a great and strange kind of genius”, but in his New York cycle he favors visceral excitement over strange remoteness.

This set also contains his recording of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto with the French virtuoso Zino Francescatti. Also included are Valse triste, The Swan of Tuonela, a rather brash Finlandia, a thrilling performance of Pohjola’s Daughter and Luonnotar – Sibelius’s haunting setting of words from the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic (with American soprano Phyllis Curtin) – as well as Bernstein’s only recording of Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suites. But it’s the Sibelius symphonies that are the chief attraction here, and this often stunningly well-played, first completed stereo cycle has lost none of its freshness and authority in the half century since it was recorded.

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New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7 (1968/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7 (1968/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 49:28 minutes | 494 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical

Bernstein – Remastered Edition: Sibelius – The Symphonies collects Bernstein’s complete Sibelius recordings, newly remastered from the original analogue tapes using 24 bit / 96 kHz technology in a 7CD limited original jackets collection.

Bernstein regarded Sibelius alongside Mahler as one of “the key turning points” in the development of the 20th century symphony, though his reputation as a Mahler exponent has overshadowed a lifelong dedication to the Finnish composer. His advocacy goes back to the time of his association with Koussevitzky, with whom he studied at Tanglewood in 1940, later becoming his assistant. At Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute in 1941, he conducted the Second Symphony. And following his sensational New York Philharmonic debut in November 1943, one of Bernstein’s first engagements was a Montreal Symphony Orchestra concert in March 1944 that included his first performance of the First.

The Finnish composer’s centenary year, 1965, brought a flurry of activity. In New York, Bernstein conducted all the symphonies in a single season (only his mentor Serge Koussevitzky had done that in the US, three decades earlier in Boston). For his efforts, Bernstein was made a Commander of the Order of the Lion by the president of Finland. By this time, he was already well into his recorded Sibelius cycle, begun in February 1961 with the Fifth Symphony, completed in May 1967 with the Sixth.

Bernstein’s Sibelius, like his teacher’s, was “warm like the sun” rather than a more orthodox evocation of cold northern soundscapes. He once called Sibelius “a great and strange kind of genius”, but in his New York cycle he favors visceral excitement over strange remoteness.

This set also contains his recording of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto with the French virtuoso Zino Francescatti. Also included are Valse triste, The Swan of Tuonela, a rather brash Finlandia, a thrilling performance of Pohjola’s Daughter and Luonnotar – Sibelius’s haunting setting of words from the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic (with American soprano Phyllis Curtin) – as well as Bernstein’s only recording of Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suites. But it’s the Sibelius symphonies that are the chief attraction here, and this often stunningly well-played, first completed stereo cycle has lost none of its freshness and authority in the half century since it was recorded.

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Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 7 (2007) MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 7 (2007)
PS3 Rip | 2 SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 37:03 (Disc 1), 42:7 (Disc 2) | 6,49 GB Total
2 Discs FLAC 2.0 Stereo (PS3 ISO extract / Weiss Saracon conversion) 24bit/88,2 kHz | 1.68 GB Total
Label: Sony Music Japan | Year: 1965, 2007 | 3% Recovery Info

Sony should issue this recording at birth to everyone! It’s simply amazing! I originally heard Bernstein do this performance live and have lived with it ever since it was issued, first as LP then as CD. However, with this Japanese SACD issue, it’s like I’m really there. It comes to life like never before!

Mahler’s 7th Symphony, the “Song of the Night” as it is sometimes called, is perhaps Mahler’s most ambitious symphonic work, in five movements with two “nachtmusik” movements as the second and fourth movements, and a brilliant rondo as the last movement where the light finally breaks through. This recording is among the most acclaimed of the all the Mahler 7 recordings, superbly played and recorded with life-like brilliance.

My only complaint about the SACD issue that Sony makes us pay a usurious price. Do they think that only the Japanese enjoy SACD quality, and make the rest of us pay through the nose for it?

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Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (2007) MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (2007)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 56:12 minutes | 4,18 GB
FLAC 2.0 Stereo (PS3 ISO extract / Weiss Saracon conversion) 24bit/88,2 kHz | 1,05 GB
Label: Sony Music Japan | Year: 1960, 2007 | 3% Recovery Info

This new remastering by Andreas K. Meyer is nothing short of sensational. Some of the finest performances of Mahler & Bernstein, it’s amazing how much detail Sony/CBs can get from this stunning SACD!
The Fourth Symphony of Gustav Mahler stands apart from his others for a number of reasons. This is his “sunny” symphony; it is filled with delicate harmonies, a catchy ornamented rhythmic pattern, and it has an almost pastoral feel to it. While scored for large orchestra, it comes off as a chamber work. The last movement, with its soprano solo “Wir geniessen die himmlischen Freuden” from ‘Des Knaben Wunderhorn,’ talks of heaven from a child’s innocent perspective.

This recording from 1960 features the preeminent Mahler interpreter of the twentieth century, Leonard Bernstein along with the New York Philharmonic, joined by the radiant soprano Reri Grist in the last movement. One could not ask for a better ensemble of players. Indeed, there are times when Bernstein seems to take off (if not fly into orbit) with the tempi, but his innate understanding of this music cannot be argued. Grist, a great singer at the height of her artistic powers, sings perfectly. A beautifully remastered and essential recording. – Gramophone

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Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 3 (2007) MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 3 (2007)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 99.31 minutes | 5,92 GB
FLAC 2.0 Stereo (PS3 ISO extract / Weiss Saracon conversion) 24bit/88,2 kHz | 1,88 GB
Label: Sony Music Japan | Year: 1961, 2007 | 3% Recovery Info

One can hardly believe the SACD sound Sony has achieved here, trumping even the “Carnegie Hall Presents” remaster! It is almost unbelievable that the original sound we were able to hear back in 1961 has been so revived from that original recorded in New York’s Manhattan Center.

The Third was among the first and most successful of Bernstein’s Mahler recordings. Leonard Bernstein’s reading is refreshingly unmannered and free from overstatement. There is no lack of drama or tension in the long first movement: the inner movements are done with great charm and the second in particular is quite winning. Matha Lipton is in top form in the fourth movement, “0 Mensch, 0 Mensch!”. Her voice has excellent quality and she sings with great feeling. The singing of the boys’ choir in the fifth movement is fresh and vigorous in the finale. The recording is beautifully engineered. The acoustic is warm and open, detail emerges clearly and the perspective is for the most part truthful. Strongly recommended! – Gramophone

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Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” (2007) MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection” (2007)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 84:35 minutes | 6,38 GB
FLAC 2.0 Stereo (PS3 ISO extract / Weiss Saracon conversion) 24bit/88,2 kHz | 1,57 GB
Label: Sony Music Japan | Year: 1963, 2007 | 3% Recovery Info

“DSD Remastering on a Legendary Recording!

“This legendary first commercial recording by Leonard Bernstein of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 has until now, only been available in generally inferior-sounding LP, open-reel, and CD formats, using a master tape derived from the original recording session tapes. It has never until now, been given the opportunity to show the sonics it likely had, and which it now reveals via SACD. This performance is a true “desert island” recording of the work in audiophile format. Remastering Engineer Andreas K. Meyer was tapped to remaster via the Direct Stream Digital (DSD) process, the entire Columbia/Sony Masterworks cycle for the domestic Carnegie Hall label of Mahler symphonies as recorded by Leonard Bernstein, and the results show improvement, not only on that issue, but on this one as well. Copies of Meyer’s DSD remasterings were sent to Japan for issuance on SACD (including this issue), but for some odd reason, the remasterings of these recordings still have to appear as a domestic issue SACD, at least as of this writing.

“Among the improvements of the DSD/SACD remastering vs. the original issues using the old master tape: There is a better sense of “air” around the individual instruments, and a better semblance of the halls in which the recordings were made, adding to a greater sense of “live” presence. Dynamics have been slightly increased, as well as a slight deepening of the bass frequencies. Also, the dynamics at the point of the last movement huge drum roll are improved; one of the best on all Mahler 2nd recordings.

“The greatest benefits overall, have been the increase in presence of the recording to allow individual instruments to stand out, as well as a slight increase in dynamics, which helps the impact of this recording. If you have one of the earlier formats that didn’t use the Meyer remastering, I’m sure you’ll be able to pick up the improvements in this issuance vs. the earlier. A superb recording!” – Stereophile

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Berliner Philharmoniker, Leonard Bernstein – Mahler: Symphony No.9 (1980/2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Berliner Philharmoniker, Leonard Bernstein – Mahler: Symphony No.9 (1980/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:22:08 minutes | 3,16 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon (DG)

Recorded in West Berlin in October 1979, this live album stands as a document of the only time Leonard Bernstein ever conducted the Berliner Philharmoniker. Described by Gramophone as “an extraordinary night,” the performance brings together a world class orchestra, a legendary conductor and one of Mahler’s greatest symphonies.

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Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (2007) MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (2007)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 52:38 minutes | 4,0 GB
FLAC 2.0 Stereo (PS3 ISO extract / Weiss Saracon conversion) 24bit/88.2 kHz | 0.99 GB
Japan Import | Year: 1966, 2001 | 3% Recovery Info

“This performance remains one of the most thrilling and committed performances of “The Titan” to be issued. The DSD/SACD remastering is excellent I look forward to the entire Sony cycle in this wonderful high resolution format.”

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Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Janet Baker – Mahler: Symphony No. 10 (Adagio) & Kindertotenlieder (2007) MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Janet Baker – Mahler: Symphony No. 10 (Adagio) & Kindertotenlieder (2007)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 55:312minutes | 4,14 GB
FLAC 2.0 Stereo (PS3 ISO extract / Weiss Saracon conversion) 24bit/88.2 kHz | 1.0 GB
Japan Import | Year: 1974/5, 2007

One can hardly believe the SACD sound Sony has achieved here, trumping even the “Carnegie Hall Presents” remaster! It is almost unbelievable that the original sound we were able to hear back in the 60s and 70s has been so revived from those original recordings in New York’s CBS Studios and Tel Aviv.
In the Kindertotenlieder, Janet Baker’s signing is unmatchable. She shines radiantly in every song. The last sung passage of In diesem Wetter is exquisite. Baker keeps her voice steady and is never lacking in purity throughout. She sounds haunting at times, too. It is a truly amazing musical experience. The 10th Adagio is a masterpiece. It’s power sends shivers throughout. This is a definitive recording of the only movement Mahler got to complete of his last Symphony.

As good as the LP vinyl version of this music, the transfer to SACD is heavenly. It completed, for me the entire set of Bernstein/Mahler symphonies reissued on SACD (Japanese imports), and it was a wonderful finale.

The sound is is stunning. Few of the Adagios and Kindertotenlieder available come close. The DSD sonic transfer highlights the wonderful strengths in these performances. The entire set of Bernstein/Mahler SACDs, expensive imports that they may be, is the best things in my SACD collection!

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Kenneth Riegel, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – Liszt: A Faust Symphony, S.108 (1977/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Kenneth Riegel, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – Liszt: A Faust Symphony, S.108 (1977/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:16:59 minutes | 1,32 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon (DG)

“David Gutman’s absorbing booklet-note for the Leonard Bernstein release tells how at a Tanglewood concert in 1941 Bernstein scored a triumph in modern American repertoire and Serge Koussevitzky conducted the first two movements of AFaust Symphony. Some 20 years later Bernstein himself made a distinguished recording of the work, faster than this superb 1976 Boston remake by almost five minutes yet ultimately less involving.

The passage of time witnessed not only an easing of tempo but a heightened response to individual characters, be it Faust’s swings in mood and attitude, Gretchen’s tender entreaties or the unpredictable shadow-play of ‘Mephistopheles’. Orchestral execution is first-rate, the strings in particular really showing their mettle (such biting incisiveness), while Bernstein’s pacing, although often slower than average, invariably fits the mood. The sound too is far warmer and more lifelike than its rather opaque New York predecessor, although when it comes to the tenor soloist in the closing chorus, Kenneth Riegel is rather strident.” –Gramophone

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Leonard Bernstein – Stravinsky: L’Histoire du soldat & Octet – Milhaud: La Création du monde, Op. 81 – Bernstein: Afterthought (Remastered) (2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Leonard Bernstein – Stravinsky: L’Histoire du soldat & Octet – Milhaud: La Création du monde, Op. 81 – Bernstein: Afterthought (Remastered) (2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:01:39 minutes | 599 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical

It was in these terms that Ferruccio Busoni greeted the publication in 1908 of the 14 Bagatelles, in which Béla Bartók conveyed the violent aesthetic impact of his discovery of authentic Hungarian peasant music. Over the next 20 years, up to the magisterial Sonata of 1926, he indefatigably refined an innovative pianistic language: pungent, dissonant, percussive, with multiple new playing techniques, that was to influence the entire 20th century. A master of every style, from Haydn to Boulez by way of Chopin and Chabrier, Alain Planès stands revealed here as a Bartókian of the front rank.

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Leonard Bernstein – Schuman: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5 (Remastered) (2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Leonard Bernstein – Schuman: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5 (Remastered) (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 47:39 minutes | 1,90 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical

On the eve of his centenary in 2018, Sony Classical releases the most important collection, Leonard Bernstein’s classic American Columbia recordings, remastered from their original 2- and multi-track analogue tapes. This has allowed for the creation of a natural balance (for example, between the orchestra and solo instruments) that brings the quality of these half-century-old recordings, excellent for their time, up to the standards of today’s audiophiles. In addition, there has been a meticulous restoration of some earlier masterings in which LP surface noise was too rigorously eliminated at the expense of the original brilliance.

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Montserrat Caballé, Nicolai Ghiaurov & Leonard Bernstein – R. Strauss: Selections From “Salome”, 5 Songs; Boito: Mefistofele (Prologo) (1978/2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Montserrat Caballé, Nicolai Ghiaurov & Leonard Bernstein – R. Strauss: Selections From “Salome”, 5 Songs; Boito: Mefistofele (Prologo) (1978/2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:06:40 minutes | 1,20 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon (DG)

This album offers Leonard Bernstein in some quite rare (at least for him, on disc) operatic repertoire. Given his flair for the dramatic, it’s not surprising that Bernstein would take so winningly to Strauss’s Salome. The Dance of the Seven Veils is full of color, sparkle, and cloying sensuality […] Montserrat Caballé sings with solid, beautifully produced tone and communicates a sense of unbearable longing […] She’s also very good in the lighter, sweeter Strauss songs that follow. There hardly could be a more extreme contrast with Salome than Boito’s Mefistofele, yet Bernstein – never one to shy away from the grandiose – pulls out all the stops in conjuring up the heavenly realm, with its clarion trombones and angelic choirs. Bass Nicolai Ghiaurov gives an arresting portrayal of the title character.” (Classicstoday)

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