An American in Paris with the Orchestre National de France - 100th Anniversary on August 25th

PART ONE: EMI STUDIO RECORDINGSFive LPs (4½ CDs) were recorded in Paris by EMI in 1976-79.Overlapping the tail end of Bernstein’s Columbia contract and the start of his Deutsche Grammophon contract.Newly remastered by Art & Son Studio, Annecy in 24bit/96kHZ from original tapes.I have no complaints about the sound which strikes me as minimally better than previous masterings.Packaged in modified “original jacket” format with original LP artwork on the front and track listings on the back.24 page booklet.--- Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique (1976)--- Berlioz: Harold en Italie with Donald McInnes viola (1976)--- Bloch: Schelomo with Mstislav Rostropovich cello (1976) *--- Milhaud: Le Boeuf sur le toit (1976) **--- Milhaud: La Creation du monde (1976) ***--- Milhaud: Saudades do Brasil (1976) **--- Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto 3 with Alexis Weissenberg (1979) **--- Schumann: Cello Concerto with Mstislav Rostropovich (1976) ** The Bloch and Schumann with Rostropovich were recorded in concert, and are also available on a Deutsche Grammophon DVD:  Rostropovich: Life & Art [DVD Video ] (photo 1)** Bernstein’s only recording of these works by Milhaud and Rachmaninov.*** Bernstein’s only stereo recording of ‘La Creation du monde’ (there were two previous recordings, for RCA and Columbia, both mono).Recorded with the Orchestre National de France, previously known as the French National Radio Orchestra (Orchestre national de l'Office de radiodiffusion-télévision française - ORTF).It was France’s best orchestra in the 1970s (despite the newly created Orchestre de Paris).PART TWO: ORTF BROADCAST RECORDINGSThe major attraction of this box is the first CD release of French radio broadcasts (2½ CDs), newly remastered by INA (France’s national sound archive).Unfortunately, unlike the studio recordings, the broadcasts contain nothing new to Bernstein’s recorded repertoire, except 33 minutes of interesting rehearsal segments (in French).--- Bernstein: On the Waterfront: Symphonic Suite (1979)--- Bernstein: West Side Story: Symphonic Dances (1979)--- Ravel: Alborada del gracioso (1975) + rehearsal--- Ravel: Bolero (1975)--- Ravel: La Valse (1975) + rehearsal--- Ravel: Sheherazade with Marilyn Horne mezzo-soprano (1975) + rehearsal--- Ravel: Piano Concerto with Bernstein conducting from the keyboard (1975) + rehearsal--- Ravel: Tzigane with Boris Belkin violin (1975)Warner’s publicity claims that the 1975 Ravel Centenary Concert is previously unreleased.That may be true on CD, but in 2006 it was released on a Kultur DVD: Bernstein in Paris: The Ravel Concerts (photo 2)Following the concert, most of the Ravel works were recorded in the studio by CBS and issued on CD by Sony.The 1975-76 Berlioz and Ravel recordings in this box are Bernstein’s final thoughts on these two composers.Bernstein programmed a lot of Berlioz and Ravel during his New York years, but avoided them during his final fifteen years (DG issued Ravel’s Piano Concerto with the Vienna Philharmonic, but that was recorded in 1971).

I really do believe that my title captures the essence of what I want to say in this review. I defer to John Fowler (above) as I have on occasion, re: the details of the set. I can only add that the remastering is not merely "marginally better - in some cases (e.g., the Symphony Fantastique) is sounds a lot cleaner, and fuller. Certainly when compared with the EMI studio release. Perhaps not as "witchy" as his (Bernstein's) initial r3corded performance with the NYP. Still - it manages to elicit goosebumps in all th right places.The longer he's gone, the more I miss Bernstein. Brilliant, frustratingly idiosyncratic - still, he conducted personalized accounts of the repertoire that remain uniquely his. The two Ravel discs are brilliant (Bernstein always was an under-rated pianist). And the previously released Weisseneberg / Rachmaninov piano concert remains a one-off gem. It may not be your only recorded performance of the work - but the performance is elegantly beautiful. Not words that are often used in describing this Rachmaninov piano concerto.A strong, small, affordable box set that provides much pleasure.

This was a birthday gift to my husband, a man who doesn't want anything or needs anything. However, he loves anything with Leonard Bernstein, probably because they share the same date of birth (not the year, of course). Being that this recording is in honor of his 100th anniversary, I knew it would be something he would cherish for years to come. He has been listening to the cd morning, noon and night. Loves it. The sound is amazing, makes you feel that you are right there. watching every movement from the orchestra and Mr. Bernstein, himself.

Seven CDs for $20?! Unbelievable! And exceptional performances all. I loved that the individual cd jackets are the original LP album covers. Rarely do you see this care put into the packaging. And the sound of the new transfers is exceptional!

Arrived on time, well packaged, everything exactly as described

Programme varié et excitant, superbe orchestre, chef au sommet de son inspiration !Tout cela respire la joie, le plaisir de faire de la musique ensemble.C'est merveilleux.Bernstein in Paris ?! Absolute FUN !!!

We don’t need to pay all. Just one or two cds have value

Ces reçus correctes et livrés en avance par la poste. Doublons pour la valse et le boléro de Ravel avec l'édition Bernstein de Sony.

Bernstein au mieux de sa forme. Que de belles interprétations sur cet albums. Vraiment TOP. Ravel sonne ici comme je l'ai trop rarement entendu. BRILLANT.