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I admit to being a rabid fan of Leonard Bernstein. I rank him right up there with Fritz Reiner and Herbert von Karajan as the greatest conductors of the 20th century. I suppose that's why I was attracted to this disc in the first place. I was certainly not disappointed! Bernstein has been knocked by his critics as "slowing down" during his senior years. Perhaps this is true. This CD covers Bernstein's career from 1960 to 1988, well into his dotage. On some of the later selections, he seems to slow down the tempo slightly. Is this such a bad thing? I don't think so. I hear things on this disc that I never remember hearing on other recordings of the same material. Furthermore, the music almost sounds better to me being played at a slower pace. Of course, that may be because I am no spring chicken myself. Certainly, not all of the music on the CD is played at a slower tempo. In fact, just a few cuts reflect his more mature approach to the music. Most all of the offerings are played at a brisk tempo. All of the material on this disc is delightful. Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic provided decades of the finest classical music ever recorded, and much of it is included on this CD. This is Vol. II of a three volume set. I now have to find Vols. I and III to add to this fantastic offering. I can't recommend it too strongly! Add it to your collection while it is still available. You certainly won't be sorry!!Read full review
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