This painstakingly remastered release of the live performance captures the electrifying drama of Carnegie Hall on April 6, 1962, when Glenn Gould and Bernstein, both at the height of their remarkable careers, performed together this unusual interpretation of the Brahms concerto. In fact, their interpretive collaboration had led to conflict, when Gould suggested an unconventional slower performance practice, whereas Bernstein urged a "traditionalist" approach. On this album, they play according to Gould's conception, though Bernstein delivers a comment before the performance, sublimely disassociating himself from the performance to come; Bernstein's masterful conducting following this disengagement affirms the agility of his creative genius. In any case, this performance remains a revelation and an important souvenir of two great musicians who could collaborate on an interpretation that was moving, original and significant, even while in major disagreement about the nature of that interpretation.

This album also features a rare New York Philharmonic interview with Gould, in which he describes his own feelings about the historic events of April 6, 1962.