Leonard Bernstein

At the time of this recording in 1984, no one could have known that Leonard Bernstein -- then 65 years old -- was entering the last phase of his career. The resulting release, on LP and later on CD, featuring Kiri Te Kanawa, Tatiana Troyanos, José Carreras, Kurt Ollmann, and Marilyn Horne, became a favorite of opera enthusiasts for the obvious reason that it was a dream cast, in terms of range and capabilities (though it has its critics, who've cited the fact that these are far older voices than one would ever have for the actual roles, as well as players -- lacking dancing ability -- who would never actually be able to do the roles on-stage). Now Deutsche Grammophon has belatedly reissued it in a deluxe CD/DVD package, remastered in state-of-the-art sound and appended with the documentary film about the making of the album. The main interest will, as expected, be the CD with its remastered edition of the 1984 recording. It's bright and sharp, and it's obvious that Bernstein was having the time of his life, much as the cast was reveling in the chance to work with the composer on this project (Bernstein had never conducted the score of +West Side Story all the way through, so this was just a special for him). And the 100-page booklet provides you with as clear a profile of the piece and the project as one is ever likely to need. And the DVD, with a crisp, bright full-screen (1.33-to-1) image, also offers a healthy volume level, though there are no significant extras of any sort. The only real complaint concerning the release is the packaging itself -- the two discs are held in what are essentially very tight mini-LP jackets, but they don't have mini-LP sleeves to protect them, with the result that the CD in the package (which was sealed) will get minor scratches on it; none of them are sufficiently deep to affect play, but this is still the sort of flaw that one shouldn't find in front-line releases from a major label. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide