Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Bernstein's 'Jeremiah' was written in the composer's early 20 and is based on the troubled life of the Biblical prophet. Bernstein described his symphony as depicting a crisis of faith and those who remember that Jeremiah lived to see the Temple in Jerusalem destroyed will get the point. The mezzo-soprano Helen Medlym sings the texts in Ashkenazic Hebrew. Fear not: a translation is supplied. The second piece on this disc is one that the composer worked on over his career. It started off as a two-movement work to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra with a "Benediction" added in time for Bernstein's own recording in 1988 and, later, a new opening entitled "Free-Style Events" that may be intended as an Overture but that had this reviewer reaching for the fast-forward button. Perhaps it works in concert but, on disc, it is unappealing. But do not let the opening deter you, as there are some treasures to follow. The "Diaspora Dances" represent Bernstein at his colourful best and the "Benediction", sung by Nathan Gunn, is as beautiful as anything he ever wrote. At the usual budget price from Naxos this is worth a listen.

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