Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Barenboim (CD)

Discs: 1
Record Label: Warner
Release Date: April 6, 2009

Daniel Barenboim leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in music about love and dance. Gershwin’s Cuban Overture is an exuberant musical souvenir from the composer’s vacation in Havana, inspired by local musicians playing the rumba and other indigenous dance music. West Side Story is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, filled with brilliant dance sequences inspired by Latin American dance rhythms and countless songs known worldwide. Continuing the theme of love and dance are Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe, a ballet retelling of Longus’ ancient Greek romance and Richard Wagner’s iconic love story, Tristan und Isolde.

Contents:

Gershwin Cuban Overture
1997, Medinah Temple, Chicago

Bernstein West Side Story, Symphonic Dances
1997, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Ravel Daphnis and Chloe Orchestral Fragments (Second Series)
1991, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Wagner Tristan und Isolde, “Prelude und Liebestod”
1994, Orchestra Hall, Chicago