One is New York and London's rivalry on maintaining/overtaking the title of World's Financial Capital.
And the other, is Times' music critics giving their list of best Bernstein recordings. My own list as follows:
- MAHLER: SYMPHONY NO. 5 Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Bernstein (Deutsche Grammophon; CD).
- BEETHOVEN: SYMPHONY NO. 3 New York Philharmonic, conducted by Bernstein (Sony Classical; CD).
- BERNSTEIN: SYMPHONY NO. 2; ‘SERENADE’ Lukas Foss, pianist; Isaac Stern, violinist; Symphony of the Air, New York Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein (Sony Classical; CD).
- COPLAND: APPALACHIAN SPRING, RODEO, BILLY THE KID, etc New York Philharmonic, conducted by Bernstein (Sony Classical, CD)
- MOZART: SYMPHONIES NO 40 & 41 Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Bernstein (Deutsche Grammophon Masters; CD)
Finance and music are indeed the odd couple. But even if, as the Times article pointed out, London's ascendance in financial sector is threatening New York's egos and bragging rights and more, New York still has a better orchestra=)
