Bernstein Century: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” & “How a Great Symphony Was Written”—New York Philharmonic/Leonard Bernstein, narrator (Sony 60692 CD)
Leonard Bernstein’s birthday August 25 and Hershey Felder’s extraordinary one-man show, Maestro: Leonard Bernstein have inspired the selection of four discs this month devoted to the art of “Lenny.” Here he leads a blazing performance of the Eroica, then explains—as only he could—how Beethoven’s music smashed early 19th century expectations.