Lennys longeurs?

Watched an old documentary last night (on video) on Lenny Bernstein ('Reaching for the Note' and was moved by his fortitude in his final months.

I then made a mental note to try and obtain (or, at the very least, hear) his final concert from Tanglewood (19.8.90) with Beethoven 7 and Britten's 4 Sea Interludes and his Berlin Wall version of Beethoven 9 (Ode an die Freiheit) from 1989.

2 questions then arise: a) Is his valedictory Beethoven 7 treasurable? I know it cannot ever be a library recommendation, but I would love to hear it (DG have axed it, but I hear it may be making a re-appearance in a double CD set - any ideas?). Is the slow movement as sublime as I am led to believe?

b)What do the group think of his sweat-soaked and brick dust-caked Beethoven 9?

I agree that these are, in emotional terms alone, unique and that there are oodles of alternative - and possibly preferable - versions, but do they speak loudly of their moment in time?

Thanks.

I just recently saw a copy of this CD for sale on ebay. The auction may still be active, so if you're quick, maybe you can snap it up.

I just checked and found three, minimum bids of $2.50, $5.00, and $7.00, none of them with any bids.

Most of the time when I listen to that performance it just sounds slow bordering on lethargic. Occasionally it seems grand and powerful. Either way I don't think the allegretto is sublime.

Undistinguished in every way. I doubt anyone would bother with it but for the context - which isn't to say you shouldn't want it for the latter, of course. I prefer his two earlier recordings (I'm especially fond of the exuberant scherzo in the NYPO recording).

It's pretty bad, frankly, and I'm not sure DGG did Bernstein any favor by issuing it. I see used copies all the time, suggesting that many buy it, play it once, and are disappointed.

Paul Goldstein

It's probably at least 3 previous - my public library has a VHS tape of a Konzerthaus recording with the VPO, Domingo among the solists. I quite like it.

Those three now sitting on eBay, with no bids, suggest the same to me.

Thank you, gentlemen - most enlightening (as ever).