American Masters: Harris / Thompson / Diamond (Bernstein Century)

Roy Harris (Composer), Randall Thompson (Composer), David Diamond (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), New York Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Roy Harris, Randall Thompson, David Diamond
• Audio CD (July 14, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000009CYH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,009 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Harris Third Available, December 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: American Masters: Harris / Thompson / Diamond (Bernstein Century) (Audio CD)

This a great CD. The sound is incredible and the works have been greatly underrated. They deserve a place in e4veryome's collection, not just those interested in American music.

There are two Bernstein Harris 3rds readily available at present (not counting the one issued by the NY Philharmonic in one of its 10-CD special editions) and this is the better of the two. The performance is sleeker and more rousing and the sound is more open and inviting. Even the coupling is better: Schuman's 3rd (on DG) is pleasant, but the Diamond and Thompson symphonies offered here will leave you wondering why these works aren't a staple of American orchestras. Highly recommended.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love It Or Leave It!, November 26, 2000

By 

"jdflynnno" - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Masters: Harris / Thompson / Diamond (Bernstein Century) (Audio CD)

I don't know if this CD is in the top five of all-time American symphonic recordings. Heck, it might be in the top two! All three of these symphonies are great, especially, of course, Harris' Third Symphony. I feared hearing that symphony at one time because I thought it might be overrated. It isn't. And this recording from the 1960s might even be better than Bernstein's later digital recording on DG, as good as that one is. I don't find Thompson's symphony dull as some, and Diamond's symphony is a cut above many (sorry about the pun!). Diamond, in fact, might be one of the most underrated composers ever. I'll put it this way, hoss -- This is All-American music recorded by the All-American team of Bernstein and the NYPO. If you are interested in American symphonic music, to not have purchased this CD is simply un-American!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific disc, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Masters: Harris / Thompson / Diamond (Bernstein Century) (Audio CD)

This is a great reissue of three of the best (and most accessible) symphonies from the middle of the century. My personal favorite is Diamond's gorgeous symphony, but how can one not love the lyrical Thompson also. Harris' symphony inaugurated the American sound that Copland and others developed in the 40s. All three pieces receive energetic, loving performances from Lennie whose earlier recordings of this (and other) repertoire are invariably better than later remakes. (The Harris was redone on DG, but this is far better.) The sound is good if a little dated. Don't let that scare you off, this is a special disc that all Americans should listen to at least once.