Maestro (Original Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2023 film Maestro that is centered around the life of composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre. Directed by Bradley Cooper, and starring himself as Bernstein with Carey Mulligan as Montealegre, the film's soundtrack features Bernstein's works from musicals and operas as well as compositions from Gustav Mahler and Ludwig van Beethoven, amongst others. All of Bernstein's compositions were arranged and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The soundtrack was released by the Deutsche Grammophon label digitally on November 10, 2023 and in physical formats on December 1.
| Maestro (Original Soundtrack) | |
|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | November 10, 2023 (digital) December 1, 2023 (physical) |
| Recorded | 2021–2023 |
| Studio | AIR Studios, London |
| Genre | |
| Length | 62:59 |
| Label | Deutsche Grammophon |
| Producer | |
Background
editThe soundtrack consisted of compositions from Bernstein's musicals and operettas such as West Side Story, Candide, On the Town, Mass, Chichester Psalms and Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3, which were handpicked by Cooper. Apart from that it also featured works from Gustav Mahler, Ludwig van Beethoven, W. C. Handy, Robert Schumann and William Walton that were used to illustrate key moments in Bernstein's career and marriage.[1]
All of Bernstein's compositions were performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of pianist-conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who also served as Cooper's conducting coach and trained him for six years to perform the orchestral conducting live on sets.[2][3] Though Nézet-Séguin never met Bernstein in his life (he was 15 when Bernstein died in 1990) he cites him as the biggest inspiration "how emotional he was on the podium and how he was unashamed of being very physical when he conducted".[3] While simultaneously conducting the orchestra, Nézet-Séguin would rehearse thoroughly with the members and interpret them and guide Cooper while filming on sets.[3][4][2]
In the final act of the film, the 1987 single "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" from the American rock band R.E.M. is heard when Bernstein teaches young students on conducting. Given that the song's release was three years before his death, it signifies on how Bernstein enjoys his final years in his life as he is seen dancing with the young male student in a club as the credits near.[5] Time-critic Olivia B. Waxman described its appearance "a cheeky, self-aware nod to Bernstein's legacy and his influence on musicians of all genres" but also its placement being timely due to the song's resurgence of popularity in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
Release
editOn October 19, 2023, Deutsche Grammophon announced the release of the soundtrack album set for November 10 in digital streaming platforms and physically on December 1, in CD and vinyl formats.[6] An excerpt from the finale of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection" was released as a single on October 20. It was performed by soprano vocalist Rosa Feola, mezza-soprano vocalist Isabel Leonard, the London symphony chorus and orchestra conducted by Cooper.[7][8]
Deutsche Grammophon president Clemens Trautmann said that the album "reflects our ongoing passion for collaborating with film-makers and bringing the worlds of cinema and classical music together". The company which re-issued several of Bernstein's compositions, had produced a 10-CD box set Digital Library A–Z that presented complete recordings of Bernstein's works encompass over 260 hours that were remastered in Dolby Atmos and released in conjuction with Decca Records during October and November 2023.[7]
As a "Deutsche Grammophon" store exclusive, the physical editions consisted of CDs and 180-gram double LP variants of black colored, and crystal clear grey colored CD packaging that includes a photobook regarding the music production process. The prices range from €18.99–57.99 (US$20.74–63.33).[9]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer(s)/Conductor(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bernstein: Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront / Manfred, Op. 115: Overture / Fancy Free: Var. 1 (Galop)" |
| 5:16 | |
| 2. | "On the Town: Lonely Town. Pas de deux" | Bernstein |
| 2:24 |
| 3. | "I Get Carried Away / You've Got That Look (That Leaves Me Weak)" | Bernstein |
| 3:38 |
| 4. | "Trouble in Tahiti: Interlude" | Bernstein |
| 0:32 |
| 5. | "Candide: Paris Waltz" | Bernstein |
| 0:53 |
| 6. | "Facsimile: Molto adagio" | Bernstein |
| 1:12 |
| 7. | "Fancy Free: Enter Three Sailors / Fancy Free: Var. 3 (Danzon) / On the Town: New York, New York" | Bernstein |
| 3:34 |
| 8. | "Anniversaries for Orchestra: X. For Felicia Montealegre / Interview (Dialogue) / Songfest: To What You Said" | Bernstein |
| 6:07 |
| 9. | "St. Louis Blues (Concerto Grosso) / Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor, Pt. 3: Adagietto" |
| 3:50 | |
| 10. | "Candide: Make Our Garden Grow" | Bernstein |
| 2:09 |
| 11. | "West Side Story: Prologue" | Bernstein |
| 1:25 |
| 12. | "Mass: XVII. Pax Communion" | Bernstein |
| 7:24 |
| 13. | "Façade – An Entertainment: Sir Beelzebub" | William Walton |
| 0:33 |
| 14. | "Symphony No. 2 in C minor "Resurrection": V. Finale. In Tempo des Scherzos" | Mahler |
| 6:16 |
| 15. | "Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety", Pt. 1. A. The Prologue" | Bernstein |
| 0:58 |
| 16. | "The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap)" | Lincoln Chase | Shirley Ellis | 1:13 |
| 17. | "A Quiet Place: Postlude" | Bernstein | Victoria Ruggiero | 2:00 |
| 18. | "Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93" | Ludwig van Beethoven |
| 3:03 |
| 19. | "Chichester Psalms: Psalm 23" | Bernstein |
| 4:59 |
| 20. | "Candide: Overture" | Bernstein |
| 4:36 |
| 21. | "Symphony No. 3 "Kaddish": II. Din-Torah" | Bernstein |
| 0:57 |
| Total length: | 62:59 | |||
Chart performance
edit| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Traditional Classical Albums (Billboard)[15] | 5 |
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | November 10, 2023 | Deutsche Grammophon | [7] [16] | |
| December 1, 2023 | CD | [9] | ||
| Vinyl |
References
edit- ^ Tilden, Imogen (November 13, 2023). "Wigs, kisses and the pope's jumpsuit: can Maestro reveal the real Bernstein?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "How Bradley Cooper Nailed the Conducting Scene at the Heart of Maestro". GQ. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c Lenker, Mauren Lee (November 20, 2023). "Watch Bradley Cooper recreates Leonard Bernstein's conducting in Maestro". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Sharf, Zack (November 15, 2023). "Bradley Cooper Spent Six Years Learning to Conduct Six Minutes of Music So He Could Film It Live on Maestro Set: 'I Was Absolutely Terrified'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "About That R.E.M. Needle Drop in Maestro". TIME. November 22, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ "'Maestro (Original Soundtrack)': Deutsch Grammophone's Soundtrack For Bradley Cooper's Biopic Releases Digitally On November 10 [Exclusive]". The Playlist. Archived from the original on November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Maestro (Original Soundtrack)". Deutsche Grammophon. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Hernández, Javier C. (September 30, 2023). "Conducting Lessons: How Bradley Cooper Became Leonard Bernstein". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ a b Maestro (Original Soundtrack) – Deutsche Grammophon Store exclusives:
- "Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein (OST), featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Bradley Cooper, London Symphony Orchestra – CD". Deutsche Grammophon Store. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- "Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein (OST), featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Bradley Cooper, London Symphony Orchestra – 2 Vinyl". Deutsche Grammophon Store. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- "Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein (OST), featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Bradley Cooper, London Symphony Orchestra – Exclusive Limited Crystal Clear 2 Vinyl". Deutsche Grammophon Store. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- "Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein (OST), featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Bradley Cooper, London Symphony Orchestra – CD + limited photobook". Deutsche Grammophon Store. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- "Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein (OST), featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Bradley Cooper, London Symphony Orchestra – 2 Vinyl + limited photobook". Deutsche Grammophon Store. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- "Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein (OST), featuring Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Bradley Cooper, London Symphony Orchestra – Exclusive Limited Crystal Clear 2 Vinyl + limited photobook". Deutsche Grammophon Store. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein (Original Soundtrack) by London Symphony Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin & Bradley Cooper on Apple Music, November 17, 2023, retrieved January 4, 2024
- ^ Jetzt anhören - Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein (Original Soundtrack) von London Symphony Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Bradley Cooper (in German), retrieved January 4, 2024
- ^ "YouTube Music". YouTube Music. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ "Maestro". www.amazon.com. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein (Original Soundtrack), November 17, 2023, retrieved January 4, 2024
- ^ "Traditional Classical Albums – Week of December 2, 2023". Billboard. December 2, 2023. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ "Maestro Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.