Bernstein Plays Brubeck Plays Bernstein
Encyclopedia
Bernstein Plays Brubeck Plays Bernstein is a 1961 album
by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
, and was inspired by the writing of Leonard Bernstein
and Steven Sondheim.
The whole first side of the album, the composition “Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra”, was composed by Dave Brubeck’s brother, Howard Brubeck. The second side consists of arrangements of five of the best known Bernstein/Sondheim tracks from the musical “West Side Story
”
series on December 10, 11 and 13th in 1959 – Leonard Bernstein conducting. This was considered at the time to be an early, successful jazz/classical crossover (music)
project – similar to those that had already been initiated by the Modern Jazz Quartet
, Gunther Schuller
and their peers in the study of what Schuller termed “Third Stream
” music.
- Howard Brubeck (Original LP liner notes)
and Steven Sondheim.
Musical
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
The Dave Brubeck Quartet is an American jazz quartet, founded in 1951 by Dave Brubeck and originally featuring Paul Desmond on saxophone and Brubeck on piano...
, and was inspired by the writing of Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
and Steven Sondheim.
The whole first side of the album, the composition “Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra”, was composed by Dave Brubeck’s brother, Howard Brubeck. The second side consists of arrangements of five of the best known Bernstein/Sondheim tracks from the musical “West Side Story
West Side Story
West Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins...
”
Overview
The album started to take shape when “Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra” was premiered at a New York PhilharmonicNew York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
series on December 10, 11 and 13th in 1959 – Leonard Bernstein conducting. This was considered at the time to be an early, successful jazz/classical crossover (music)
Crossover (music)
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers appearing on two or more of the record charts which track differing musical tastes, or genres...
project – similar to those that had already been initiated by the Modern Jazz Quartet
Modern Jazz Quartet
The Modern Jazz Quartet was established in 1952 by Milt Jackson , John Lewis , Percy Heath , and Kenny Clarke . Connie Kay replaced Clarke in 1955...
, Gunther Schuller
Gunther Schuller
Gunther Schuller is an American composer, conductor, horn player, author, historian, and jazz musician.- Biography and works :...
and their peers in the study of what Schuller termed “Third Stream
Third stream
Third Stream is a term coined in 1957 by composer Gunther Schuller, within a lecture at Brandeis University, to describe a musical genre which is a synthesis of classical music and jazz...
” music.
The Dialogues
“In this work as attempt is made to construct a score giving the orchestra an important part to play which adheres strictly to written notes, while the particular combination, or “combo,” of jazz instruments, is free to improvise on the material of the movement…”- Howard Brubeck (Original LP liner notes)
Side A
- "Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra (Allegro)" – 6:55
- "Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra (Andante-Ballad)" – 5:13
- "Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra (Adagio-Ballad)" – 4:46
- "Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra (Allegro-Blues)" – 5:34
Side B
- "MariaMaria (1956 song)"Maria" is a song from the Broadway musical West Side Story, sung by the lead character Tony. The music was written by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The song was published in 1956....
(Bernstein, Sondheim)" – 3:16 - "I Feel Pretty (Bernstein, Sondheim)" – 5:06
- "SomewhereSomewhere (song)"Somewhere" is a song from the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story which was made into a film in 1961. The music is composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and takes a phrase from the slow movement of Beethoven's 'Emperor' Piano Concerto, which forms the start of the...
(Bernstein, Sondheim)" – 4:13 - "A Quiet Girl (Bernstein, Comden, Green)" – 2:23
- "TonightTonight (1956 song)"Tonight" is a popular song with music written by Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and was published in 1956.It was introduced in the Broadway musical West Side Story. The song was revived in 1961 on single records in versions by Ferrante & Teicher and Eddie Fisher, whose...
(Bernstein, Sondheim)" – 3:48
Personnel
The “Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra” was composed by Howard Brubeck, Most other selections were composed by Leonard BernsteinLeonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
and Steven Sondheim.
Musical
- Dave BrubeckDave BrubeckDavid Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
— pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Paul DesmondPaul DesmondPaul Desmond , born Paul Emil Breitenfeld, was a jazz alto saxophonist and composer born in San Francisco, best known for the work he did in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for penning that group's greatest hit, "Take Five"...
— alto saxophoneAlto saxophoneThe alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions... - Eugene WrightEugene Wright"The Senator" Eugene Wright is an American jazz bassist, best known for his work as a member of The Dave Brubeck Quartet, in particular on the group's most famous album Time Out , with pianist Brubeck, drummer Joe Morello and saxophonist Paul Desmond.Wright, nicknamed "The Senator", had played...
— double bassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2... - Joe MorelloJoe MorelloJoseph Albert Morello was a jazz drummer best known for his 12½-year stint with The Dave Brubeck Quartet. He was frequently noted for playing in the unusual time signatures employed by that group in such pieces as "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo à la Turk"...
— drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Leonard BernsteinLeonard BernsteinLeonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
— Conductor New York PhilharmonicNew York PhilharmonicThe New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...