John Williams: Violin Concerto No. 1 & Bernstein: Serenade

Description

The St. Louis Symphony and their\u202Fmusic director\u202FStephane Deneve\u202Fpresent a wonderful program featuring two of the most accomplished American composers in history: Leonard Bernstein with his\u202FSerenade\u202Fand John Williams\u202Fwith his\u202FConcerto for violin and orchestra,\u202Fboth\u202Fperformed by star James Ehnes, one of the most exceptional North American violinists. John Williams himself\u202Fwas present at\u202Fthe recording of\u202Fhis\u202Fviolin concerto, working\u202Ftogetherwith the St. Louis Symphony, Deneve, and Ehnes.\u202FBoth works evolve around love: Bernstein's Serenade was inspired by musings on love from Plato's Symposium while Williams's work was arguably inspired and eventually dedicated to his suddenly deceased wife. By combining these two concert pieces, this album puts the symphonic work of Bernstein and Williams at the center,\u202Ftwo composers who weren't afraid of crossing the boundaries between film music and "serious" classical genres at a time when these worlds were generally kept far apart. Especially in Williams' concerto,\u202Fthere are still\u202Fhints of his work as a film composer;\u202Fthe slow movement brings to mind a scene of emotional gravity.