Deutsche Grammophon: Bernstein — Candide (Final Revised Version, 1989) / London Symphony Orchestra (2CD)

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Product Details:

• Product Type: Audio CD (2-disc set)
• Brand / Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• Catalog Number: 474 472-2
• UPC / Barcode: 0028947447221
• Composer / Conductor: Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
• Performers: Jerry Hadley, June Anderson, Christa Ludwig, Adolph Green, Nicolai Gedda, Della Jones, Kurt Ollmann
• Orchestra / Chorus: London Symphony Orchestra & London Symphony Chorus
• Chorus Director: Richard Hickox | Chorus Master: Simon Joly
• Release Year: 1991 (reissued 2003)
• Recording Date: December 15-18, 1989, Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London
• Genre: Classical / Musical Theatre
• Style: American Opera / Broadway Musical

Product Features

• Format: 2CD
• Discs: 2
• Total playing time: 111:32
• Recording type: DDD (Digital)
• Version: Final Revised Version, 1989 — adapted from Voltaire and the book by Hugh Wheeler
• Lyrics: Richard Wilbur; additional lyrics by John La Touche, Dorothy Parker, Lillian Hellman, Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim
• Orchestrations: Leonard Bernstein and Hershy Kay
• Condition: Factory Sealed

Overview

Bernstein conducting Bernstein — and doing it at Abbey Road, four months before his death. This 1989 recording of Candide is the definitive version of a work he spent decades refining, and it shows. The cast is exceptional: Jerry Hadley brings warmth and sincerity to the title role, June Anderson's "Glitter and Be Gay" remains one of the most technically demanding coloratura showpieces on any cast recording, and Christa Ludwig as the Old Lady gives the comedy an edge that keeps it from ever tipping into mere pastiche.

Candide is based on Voltaire's satirical novella, following the relentlessly optimistic young Candide as he's thrown from his idyllic Westphalian home into a world of war, inquisitions, shipwrecks, and philosophical disillusionment. Bernstein's score mirrors the story's dizzying pace — from the famous Overture through waltzes, tangos, a barcarolle, and the soaring final chorus "Make Our Garden Grow," the music never stays in one place long enough to become comfortable, which is entirely the point.

This final revised version (1989) is the one Bernstein himself sanctioned as complete. Recorded over four days at Abbey Road's Studio No. 1 and produced by Hans Weber with balance engineering by Gregor Zielinsky, the sound is spacious and detailed — the London Symphony Orchestra's playing is precise without being cold, and the chorus work under Richard Hickox is outstanding throughout.

Interesting Facts

• Bernstein recorded this in December 1989; he died in October 1990, making it one of the last major recording sessions he completed.
• The Overture to Candide is one of the most frequently performed concert pieces in the American orchestral repertoire, often programmed entirely independently of the full work.
• Stephen Sondheim contributed lyrics to "Life is Happiness Indeed" — an early collaboration with Bernstein that predates West Side Story by a year.
• The work went through at least five substantially different versions between its 1956 Broadway premiere and this 1989 final revision, with the book, lyrics, and even the number of acts changing between productions.
• Nicolai Gedda, who plays the Governor / Vanderdendur / Ragotski, was in his 60s at the time of the recording — still in remarkable voice, and one of the most celebrated tenors of the postwar era.
• Adolph Green, who plays Dr. Pangloss and Martin, was primarily a lyricist and playwright (responsible with Betty Comden for Singin' in the Rain and On the Town), making his appearance here as a performer a notable casting choice.

Track Listing

CD 1 — Act One

1. Overture - Orchestra
2. Westphalia Chorale - Chorus
3. Life is Happiness Indeed - Candide, Maximilian, Cunegonde, Paquette
4. The Best of All Possible Worlds - Pangloss, Candide, Cunegonde, Maximilian, Paquette
5. Universal Good - Cunegonde, Paquette, Candide, Maximilian
6. Oh, Happy We - Candide, Cunegonde
7. It Must Be So (Candide's Meditation) - Candide
8. Westphalia (reprise) - Chorus
9. Battle Music - Orchestra
10. Candide's Lament - Candide
11. Dear Boy - Pangloss, Chorus
12. Auto-da-fé (What a Day) - Chorus, soloists
13. Candide Begins His Travels - Orchestra
14. It Must Be Me (Candide's Second Meditation) - Candide
15. The Paris Waltz - Orchestra
16. Glitter and Be Gay - Cunegonde
17. You Were Dead, You Know - Candide, Cunegonde
18. I Am Easily Assimilated (The Old Lady's Tango) - Old Lady, Chorus
19. Quartet Finale - Candide, Cunegonde, Old Lady, Captain, Chorus

CD 2 — Act Two

1. Universal Good (reprise) - Chorus
2. My Love (The Governor's Serenade) - Governor, Cunegonde
3. We Are Women (Polka) - Cunegonde, Old Lady
4. The Pilgrims' Procession / Alleluia - Maximilian, Paquette, Candide, Chorus
5. Quiet - Old Lady, Governor, Cunegonde
6. Introduction to Eldorado - Orchestra
7. The Ballad of Eldorado - Candide, Chorus
8. Words, Words, Words (Martin's Laughing Song) - Martin
9. Bon Voyage - Vanderdendur, Chorus
10. The Kings' Barcarolle - soloists
11. Money, Money, Money (Venice Gambling Scene) - Chorus, soloists
12. What's the Use? - Old Lady, Ragotski, Maximilian, Crook, Chorus
13. The Venice Gavotte - soloists
14. Nothing More Than This - Candide
15. Universal Good (Life is Neither) - Chorus
16. Make Our Garden Grow (Finale) - full cast

Publishers

Released by Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Hamburg, 1991. Reissued 2003 (cat. 474 472-2). Recorded at Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London, December 15-18, 1989. Produced by Hans Weber. A Universal Music Company release.

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