Bernstein: A Quiet Place

Bernstein: A Quiet Place

Steven Humes, Joseph Kaiser, Rupert Charlesworth, Claudia Boyle, Annie Rosen, Daniel Belcher, Kent Nagano, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, John Tessier, Maija Skille, Gordon Bintner, Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Lucas Meachem

2018

Bernstein’s final work for the stage is a biting commentary on dysfunctional family politics. Scored for an orchestra of more than 70 players, it was originally intended as a sequel to his one-act opera about a failing marriage, Trouble in Tahiti. This recording showcases a new re-orchestration for just 18 musicians. The result is brilliantly claustrophobic, an acute picture of a family battling with its differences and past traumas. Lucas Meachem’s portrayal of Sam, who struggles with the death of his wife and his children’s issues, is a highlight, as is conductor Kent Nagano’s grasp of one of Bernstein’s most varied, memorable, sparkling scores.

Prologue "The path of truth is plain and safe”

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Lucas Meachem, Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Maija Skille, Rupert Charlesworth, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Daniel Belcher, Steven Humes, Gordon Bintner, John Tessier, Claudia Boyle, Annie Rosen

3:37

Dialogue 1 "I am sorry, ma'am"

Kent Nagano, Maija Skille, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Rupert Charlesworth

1:17

Dialogue 2 “She wasn’t exactly what you would call a beautiful woman”

Rupert Charlesworth, John Tessier, Annie Rosen, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Maija Skille, Kent Nagano, Daniel Belcher, Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Steven Humes

3:30

Dialogue 3 “Dede! Darlin how’ve you been?” & Arietta “Fantastic, great!”

Claudia Boyle, Annie Rosen, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano

1:23

Dialogue 4 “You’re so like her”

Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Claudia Boyle, Annie Rosen

1:55

Dialogue 5 “Uh, Susie - You must be François”

Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Daniel Belcher, Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Claudia Boyle, Annie Rosen, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Steven Humes

0:38

Dialogue 6 “Oh François, come.”

Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Daniel Belcher, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

1:31

Dialogue 7 “Welcome to the Family.”

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Maija Skille, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano

0:44

Dialogue 8 “Say, who’s that character with…”

Kent Nagano, Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Rupert Charlesworth, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, John Tessier

1:17

Dialogue 9 “Dede, where’s your brother

John Tessier, Maija Skille, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Claudia Boyle, Annie Rosen, Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Rupert Charlesworth, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Daniel Belcher

1:53

Readings "Who can find a virtuous woman?" & Choral “God has his ways”

Claudia Boyle, Gordon Bintner, Annie Rosen, Steven Humes, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Daniel Belcher, Chœur de l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, John Tessier, Maija Skille, Rupert Charlesworth

5:43

Aria “You’re late…”

Kent Nagano, Lucas Meachem, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal

4:46

Trio “Dear Daddy, Daddy dear”

Gordon Bintner, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Claudia Boyle

3:24

Finale “Merry Christmas to you too, asshole”

Claudia Boyle, Gordon Bintner, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Lucas Meachem

2:29

Postlude

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano

4:07

Aria “I wish I could sleep"

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano, Lucas Meachem

3:56

Scene “What are you doing?”

Claudia Boyle, Lucas Meachem, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Gordon Bintner, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano

4:12

“First, I would like to sing you a little song”

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Gordon Bintner, Claudia Boyle, Lucas Meachem, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano

3:57

“I coming…closer”

Lucas Meachem, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Gordon Bintner, Claudia Boyle

3:30

Aria “I’ve been afraid”

Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal

4:41

Prelude

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Kent Nagano

4:37

Aria “Morning. Good Morning”

Kent Nagano, Claudia Boyle, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal

2:52

Scene “The one and only cereal”

Kent Nagano, Gordon Bintner, Claudia Boyle, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal

3:37

Tag #1 “Ha! Absence makes the heart grow fonder! & Trio “Oh! Bon anniversaire”

Gordon Bintner, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Claudia Boyle

2:28

Tag #2 “Watch it! Watch out!”

Lucas Meachem, Gordon Bintner, Claudia Boyle, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano

2:25

Aria “Oh, François, please. Somehow it’s meant for you”

Lucas Meachem, Kent Nagano, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal

2:01

Aria “Dear loved ones” & Laughing Chorus

Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Claudia Boyle, Gordon Bintner, Lucas Meachem

2:32

Scene “I like it here! You mean, maybe you would…”

Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Claudia Boyle, Lucas Meachem, Gordon Bintner, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano

4:25

Aria “Stop. You will not take another step!”

Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Lucas Meachem, Gordon Bintner

3:56

Aria “You see, Daddy, that death does bring some relief”

Gordon Bintner, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Joseph Kaiser, Kent Nagano, Claudia Boyle, Lucas Meachem

5:26

Leonard Bernstein

Composer
Steven Humes

Bass
Joseph Kaiser

Tenor
Rupert Charlesworth

Tenor
Claudia Boyle

Soprano

Carl Talbot

Associate Producer
Martin Sauer

Producer
Christopher Johns

Recording Engineer
Nicola Lombardo

Assistant Recording Engineer
Jack Kelly

Assistant Recording Engineer
Stéphane Brochu

Assistant Recording Engineer
Martin Sauer

Recording Engineer
Edwin Garth Sunderland

Editing Engineer