ABSTRACT
An intelligent review of many recordings of Bernstein's music as well as a few releases of Bernstein conducting American music. Anderson offers useful comments on: the three symphonies, Chichester Psalms, Serenade (AJter Plato's Symposium), Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs, On the Town, Fancy Free, Trouble in Tahiti, Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront, Mass, Dybbuk, Concerto Jor Orchestra, Candide, and Arias and Barcarolles. Although he admits that it was too early to assess his true achievement, Anderson suggests that Bernstein the composer will be remembered as a successor of Gershwin who lacked the self-discipline to realize his ambitions. He allows, however, that we must appreciate what Bernstein did compose.
