Works Voice(s) & Orchestra Arias and Barcarolles (1988)

Overview

After Bernstein's performance at the White House in 1960, President Eisenhower remarked, "You know, I liked that last piece you played: it's got a theme. I like music with a theme, not all them arias and barcarolles." This eight-part song cycle for mezzo-soprano, baritone, and piano four hands or two chamber orchestra versions was composed in 1988. The varied songs, most with lyrics by Bernstein himself, reflect many compositional styles that make this cycle charming and entertaining.

Throughout the Leonard Bernstein Centennial, Arias & Barcarolles received 40 performances by 26 ensembles in 7 countries and 17 US States.

*Words and music by Leonard Bernstein. ©1989
Frederica Von Stade, mezzo-soprano. Thomas Hampson, baritone
London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas
Orchestration: Bruce Coughlin. First performance with this orchestration, London, September 1993.
©1996 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Hamburg. 439 926-2

Details

(1988) 31 min
Text
Leonard Bernstein, Jennie Bernstein, Yankev-Yitskhok Segal (in English and Yiddish)
World Premiere:
April 22, 1989. Recanati Hall, The Tel-Aviv Museum of Art, Tel-Aviv, Israel | Amalia Ishak, Raphael Frieder, singers / Irit Rub-Levy, Ariel Cohen, pianos
Scoring
for mezzo-soprano, baritone, and 2 pianos
Version Notes
World Premiere dedicated to the memory of Ruth Mense
(1988) 31 min
Text
Leonard Bernstein, Jennie Bernstein, Yankev-Yitskhok Segal (in English and Yiddish)
World Premiere:
May 9, 1988. Equitable Center Auditorium, New York, NY, United States | Louise Edeiken, Joyce Castle, John Brandstetter, and Mordechai Kaston, singers / Leonard Bernstein and Michael Tilson Thomas, pianos
Scoring
four singers and piano four-hands
(1988) 31 min
Text
Leonard Bernstein, Jennie Bernstein, Yankev-Yitskhok Segal (in English and Yiddish)
World Premiere:
September 22, 1989. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, Long Island University, NY, United States | Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano / Kurt Ollmann, baritone / New York Chamber Symphony / Gerard Schartz, conductor
Scoring
for mezzo-soprano, baritone, strings, and percussion
Version Notes
Orchestrated with the assistance of Bright Sheng
(arr. 1993) 31 min
Text
Leonard Bernstein, Jennie Bernstein, Yankev-Yitskhok Segal (in English and Yiddish)
World Premiere:
September 26, 1993. Barbican Centre, London, United Kingdom | Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano / Thomas Hampson, baritone / London Symphony Orchestra / Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Scoring
1(=picc).1(=corA).1(=Ebcl,asax).1 - 2.1.0.0-perc(2)-strings(8.8.6.6.3 or 1.1.1.1.1)
Version Notes
Arranged for chamber orchestra by Bruce Coughlin

Purchasing Licensing Information

To perform Arias and Barcarolles, please contact Boosey & Hawkes. For general licensing inquiries, click here.

To purchase sheet music for Arias and Barcarolles, please visit our store.

Media

Bernstein: Arias And Barcarolles (1988) - 2. Love Duet
Frederica von Stade · Thomas Hampson · London Symphony Orchestra · Michael Tilson Thomas Frederica von Stade · Thomas Hampson · London Symphony Orchestra · Michael Tilson Thomas

Audio

 
 
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