Reviews

"I have rarely witnessed a conductor of any stature transform orchestra players to the extent that David Bernard did at a rehearsal I attended of a Mozart concerto. His vast knowledge, instinctive musicality, and personal manner with the orchestra achieves the best out of his players."
Seymour Bernstein
World Renowned Pianist, Composer and Teacher

 "Mr. Bernard, conducting the entire program from memory, brought forth splendid sound from a group of dedicated players. In Smetana's "Vlatava" (Moldau), Bernard's loving approach, from the early bars of chirping woodwinds that so suggest Vlatava's rippling waters, to the warm, embracing Bohemian melodies to follow, made the much played tone poem welcome and embracing.

It was with the playing of the second symphony of Sibelius that we arrived at a true test of the abilities of conductor and orchestra. It requires one who understands the often complicated structure that employs will-o-the-wisp thematic material for much of its duration. Bernard led this large work with full comprehension of its intricacies, eliciting a full, warm sound from his band of committed players."
Herbert Grossman
Protégé of Arturo Toscannini
Internationally known conductor with NBC Opera, New York City Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Baltimore and Pittsburgh Symphonies
Former Music Director, The Great Neck Symphony

"David Bernard's performance of Brahms First Symphony with The Park Avenue Chamber Symphony was most dynamic and dramatic, as the gorgeous melodies swept seamlessly, movement to movement. This majestic work is a delight on each hearing, and Maestro Bernard’s interpretation added depth, to an already textured masterpiece.  Kudos to Maestro Bernard for a magnificent performance."
RobertaOnTheArts.com

"'Pulcinella Suite,' Stravinsky's bold reworking of pieces by the Baroque composer Pergolesi, was played with zest by the admirable Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, conducted by David Bernard."
Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times

"David Bernard's conducting is infused with energy, enthusiasm, sound musicianship and penetrating musical intelligence. There is a special connection between him and his players. He draws performances from his orchestras that regularly exceed their own expectations. Through his leadership they discover new levels of confidence, expressive playing, rhythmic discipline, and unity around an exciting artistic interpretation. It is a pleasure to hear orchestra and conductor so aligned around serving the letter and spirit of the composer's score."
Roger Nierenberg
Music Director, The Music Paradigm
Former Music Director, The Jacksonville Symphony
Former Music Director, The Stamford Symphony

"I was delighted to have David Bernard and his Park Avenue Chamber Symphony play an important part in WALL TO WALL STRAVINSKY at Symphony Space. I admired his commanding professionalism which evoked a thoroughly delightful performance of a difficult Stravinsky orchestral work. Attending his concerts at Lincoln Center first made me appreciate that here was a musical director of fine taste and inspiring skill."
Isaiah Sheffer
Artistic Director, Symphony Space

"David Bernard did an excellent job of conducting the world premiere of my piece "Aha!" in Avery Fisher Hall. With great enthusiasm and diligence, David communicated the rhythmic intricacies of the music to the musicians in rehearsals, and he worked efficiently in the time he had to inspire and instruct the orchestra. I was very pleased with his grasp of the new score and his ability to bring out details as well as shape the large phrases. David brought a fine-tuned sense of balance and color to the music, and his energy infected the players in the best possible way. It was a fine experience, and I would welcome another opportunity to work with him."
Bruce Adolphe, Composer
Artistic & Education Advisor
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Founding Creative Director, Polyrhythm Productions

"I am so fortunate to have collaborated with David Bernard in a powerful and memorable performance of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with his Park Avenue Chamber Symphony in Avery Fischer Hall. David's talents are formidable to be sure. Through his conducting he is able to show immaculate precision, deep feeling, and true inspiration. His orchestra's obvious enthusiasm for him is a direct reflection of his own love and commitment to music and orchestral leadership. David's sensitivity and skill led the orchestra to a level of subtly matched nuance resulting in an undeniable freedom and comfort for me as a soloist. I am grateful for this opportunity and remain eager for the next chance we have to perform together."
Jon Manasse
International Clarinet Soloist
Principal Clarinet, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Principal Clarinet, Mostly Mozart
Faculty, Eastman School of Music

"It has been a both a pleasure and a privilege performing as concertmaster of the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony under the direction of Maestro David Bernard. Having played professionally for many years, and being fortunate to have performed in over 35 countries under a wide variety of musical directors, I can emphatically state that Maestro Bernard ranks as one of my all time favorite conductors. He brings to the podium a wealth of musical knowledge, as well as finely honed baton technique and a thorough understanding of string technical issues. But where he truly excels is in his ability to communicate and motivate the orchestras he conducts. In rehearsals, he is focused, extraordinarily well prepared, and has exceptional time management skills. His management of ensemble issues combined with his ability to paint the overall musical canvass creates performances that go far beyond the orchestra's own expectations. Maestro Bernard does all of this with a consistently cheerful and pleasant demeanor, making him a welcome addition to the podium of any top professional orchestra."
David Edelson
Concertmaster, The Park Avenue Chamber Symphony

"I thoroughly enjoyed performing Mozart's Flute Concerto in D with David Bernard and the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony. He was wonderfully prepared and brought fine ideas to the table with respect to phrasing and style. He communicates well with the orchestra, and was a sensitive and flexible accompanist. His passion for the music shows through in everything he does, and I found this to be so refreshing. I look forward to working with him again in the near future."
Bart Feller
Principal Flute, The New York City Opera
Principal Flute, The New Jersey Symphony

"David Bernard is a fine conductor who achieves a great rapport with the ensembles he conducts. His musical ideas are sound and convincing and his rehearsal style is courteous, clear and encouraging. The New Amsterdam Singers had a rewarding experience singing the Mozart Requiem under his direction."
Clara Longstreth, Music Director
The New Amsterdam Singers

"David Bernard's excellence as a conductor is clear to both performers and concert-goers. Distinctions in period styles are evident, as is ensemble clarity and balance. His programming has an internal, organic sensibility yet presents pleasant and unexpected surprises for the listener. Rehearsal times are used efficiently and insightfully. Ultimately he creates an environment where the orchestral musicians and the soloists have confidence in an outcome of high artistic accomplishment.

On top of all of this, Mr. Bernard has a great gift for empowering the musicians in his orchestras to perform to their best abilities without sacrificing his required control as a conductor. As simple as this seems, it is actually a very rare combination of skills found only in the best of conductors."
Shem Guibbory
Violinist, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

"Mr. Bernard's performance of Mozart's Jupiter Symphony exuded elasticity and elegance"
RobertaOnTheArts.com

"Mr. Bernard kept the solo timing and cello-orchestral blending to perfection with an obvious comfort with Dvorák's complex work"
RobertaOnTheArts.com

"Mr. Bernard does better…than similar conductors I have heard recently"
Bernard Holland, The New York Times

"The book, score, and lyrics to Iolanthe under David Bernard's peppy music direction…works very well indeed"
Leah D. Frank, The New York Times

"David Bernard's sure music direction [of Theater Three's production of Iolanthe]…is loving and amusing."
Newsday