Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid and Rodeo Suite; Ferde Grofé:Grand Canyon Suite

Aaron Copland (Composer), Ferde Grofe (Composer), Morton Gould (Conductor), Morton Gould & His Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Morton Gould & His Orchestra
• Conductor: Morton Gould
• Composer: Aaron Copland, Ferde Grofe
• Audio CD (May 11, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003FGZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,115 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #37 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Historical Periods > Modern & 20th Century
  • #81 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Ballets

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb recordings of American classics., April 26, 2004

By 

Janos Gardonyi "jgarch2002" (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid and Rodeo Suite; Ferde Grofé:Grand Canyon Suite (Audio CD)

I thoroughly agree with all other reviewers (though I wish some would spell Copland's name right!) Morton Gould conducts with great verve and sensitivity. "Rodeo" is terrific and it also includes the seldom heard "Honky-Tonk Interlude" which is a delight in itself.
The Grand Canyon Suite is a highlight with its marvellous orchestration and melodic richness. Although the score is influenced by a number of composers such as Dukas, Ravel, Respighi and even Richard Strauss, it nevertheless feels entirely
original. "On the trail" is beautifully rhythmical,one can really feel the trotting
of the donkeys, and the sound effects are pure joy. Note the
ee-ah-ing of the donkeys, so superbly part of the music. (somewhat reminescent of Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream overture.) The Cloudburst is a sonic triumph.
This recording comes from 1957, but digitally remastered. Sound is demonstration quality. Still probably the best available, highly recommended.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gould conducts Copland and Grofe, November 20, 2003

By 

Robert E. Nylund (Ft. Wayne, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid and Rodeo Suite; Ferde Grofé:Grand Canyon Suite (Audio CD)

It may surprise some to discover that American composer/conductor Morton Gould conducted such fine performances of other American composers' music. These RCA Victor "Living Stereo" recordings are vivid, excellent proof that Gould was a really fine conductor and not just of his own music.

The performances of the suites from Copland's ballets "Billy the Kid" and "Rodeo" are among the best ever recorded. They benefit not only from Gould's wonderful sensitivity and appreciation but from excellent playing by the "pickup" orchestra and the still remarkable "Living Stereo" recording process, in which RCA used only three microphones and advanced mastering techniques.

Ferde Grofe's "Grand Canyon Suite" was a "labor of love" as the skilled composer/arranger spent considerable time carefully depicting his impressions of one of the greatest natural wonders of the world. Grofe had been a very successful arranger for Paul Whiteman and is still remembered for the very first orchestration of George Gershwin's "An American in Paris," premiered by Gershwin at the piano with Whiteman conducting in New York's Aeolian Hall in February 1924.

Grofe composed a number of original orchestral works in later years and the "Grand Canyon Suite" is probably his best. It contains memorable melodies and is skillfully orchestrated throughout. It so impressed Arturo Toscanini that he recorded it in 1945 for RCA Victor, under the supervision of the composer. Grofe himself conducted a recording of the suite for Everest Records in 1960. Gould's recording is excellent. The final movement, depicting a spectacular thunderstorm, is absolutely awesome. I think this recording may surpass an earlier favorite, also recorded for RCA Victor, by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston "Pops" Orchestra.

This is all very fun and very exciting American music.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative performance of Copeland, December 25, 1999

By 

Rick Burtaine (Allentown, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid and Rodeo Suite; Ferde Grofé:Grand Canyon Suite (Audio CD)

Billy the Kid & Rodeo were both etched in my soul when as a young boy I listened along with my mother. This performance by Morton Gould remains for me above any other that I have heard and I have heard many given my love for them. This is a re-issue of an original 3 microphone/3 track TRUE stero recording made by RCA in their 'Living Stero' series and originally recorded in 1957. A must have for Copeland listeners. It is a bonus that it also contains 'Grand Canyon Suite.'