Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Filmed on tour at Berlin's Philharmonie, this account of the valedictory Ninth Symphony is an intense interpretation, expressing Bernstein's conviction that modern man had at last caught up with the message encoded in Mahler's last completed work. Having made his famous 1966 studio recording of "Das Lied von der Erde" in Vienna, Bernstein re-recorded this in Israel with the same searing subjectivity. René Kollo draws on the voice of a great Wagner tenor, while Christa Ludwig, the greatest exponent of the contralto songs at the time, is unbearably poignant in the final movement's fusion of elation and sadness.

Celebrated conductor Paavo Järvi -- who has led the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to acclaim -- joins forces with eminent pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja for this 2001 concert with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. The program features performances of Brahms's Piano Concerto no. 2, Schumann's Symphony no. 1 and Glinka's "Ruslan and Ludmilla" Overture. The results are potent: A delightful evening with two classical greats.

Pinchas Zuckerman, Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Israel Philharmonic

Leonard Bernstein performs three of his own compositions with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at the Philharmonic in Berlin.