Cleveland Bernstein M2

[bruce]

Does anyone know where a recording of the 1970s Bernstein Cleveland M2 can be found? I have been told the sound is poor, but I would still like to hear it, and have been unable to find it anywhere. I think Berkshire once had it (maybe on the Memories label?)

[barry guerrero]

Wasn't it in one of the Cleveland Orchestra's own cd box sets? Maybe one or two of those are still floating around.

[Freddy van Maurik]

Downloadable copies are circling on the net (OperaShare Yahoo-group for example).

[waderice]

I obtained the Bernstein/Cleveland performance, and as stated, the sound is poor, being afflicted with static and other electronic interference (it sounds like a recording made off the air), but the performance is magnificent!  I have various contacts looking for a better source recording and await news of their efforts.

Interpretively, I would have to place it as somewhere between his 1963 NYPO recording and the later 1973 LSO recording.  It does not compare at all to his DG NYPO digital in-concert recording.

Being as the performance was outside at the music shed of Cleveland's Blossom Music Center in July of 1970, interestingly enough, during one of the quiet passages of the music, you can faintly hear a whippoorwill in the distance.  Quite a fitting touch to a magnificent performance!  Incidentally, this was Bernstein's ONLY EVER appearance with Cleveland.

[bruce]

The Bernstein-Cleveland Mahler 2 used to be on a label called "First Classics". At one time it was available from Berkshire. Don't know if the sound was better than what was downloaded from Yahoo Operashare.

[waderice]

The Bernstein-Cleveland Mahler 2 used to be on a label called "First Classics". At one time it was available from Berkshire. Don't know if the sound was better than what was downloaded from Yahoo Operashare.

Was it on CD or LP?  Do you remember when it was available, or if it is still available?  I've never heard of the "First Classics" label.  Are they still producing recordings?  Do you have a website address for Berkshire?  Thanks!

[bruce]

First Classics appears still to be carried at Berkshire. But among that labels few available releases, the Cleveland Bernstein Mahler is not listed. See below.





www.berkshirerecordoutlet.com/search.php?row=0&text=&filter=all&Label=FIRST+CLASSICS&genre=&RPP=25&pprice=&submit=Search

[bruce]

Occassionally posters on this board have inquired about Leonard Bernstein's 1970s Cleveland M2, a difficult recording to secure and one that is allegedly blessed with a great performance but damned withwith poor sound. It was LB's only appearance with the Cleveland Orchestra and was recorded at the Blossom Festival. I just ordered a copy (2cds, very expensive: $37 with shipping) from a site called "Classical Video Rarities". It's a CD, not a DVD.

[waderice]

Occassionally posters on this board have inquired about Leonard Bernstein's 1970s Cleveland M2, a difficult recording to secure and one that is allegedly blessed with a great performance but damned withwith poor sound. It was LB's only appearance with the Cleveland Orchestra and was recorded at the Blossom Festival. I just ordered a copy (2cds, very expensive: $37 with shipping) from a site called "Classical Video Rarities". It's a CD, not a DVD.

When you get this and have had a chance to listen to it, please let us know what the sound is like, particularly if the distortion has been eliminated.  The .MP3 files I have of this are afflicted with on-air FM interference.

Why the Cleveland Orchestra hasn't issued this in optimum sound as a premium for their fund-raiser marathons is beyond me.  Perhaps it might have something to do with the Bernstein estate.