Customer Reviews

American Visions

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops score well with this nicely laid out varied program of orchestral American music. I wouldn't call the album patriotic like the post 9/11 discs that flooded the market. It rather colorfully hits the geographics of this great land. The familiar Copland and Bernstein entries are obviously thrown in for commercial appeal. Tracks by Hanson, Nelson, and Harl McDonald are what caught my interest. Though none are particularly great music, the novelty of instrumentation will more than hold your interest. The Grofe and Kern pieces are excellent additions. I'm glad Lockhart included them in favor of those composers over recorded masterpieces.("Grand Canyon Suite" and "Showboat")I would have passed this disc up if that were the case. John Williams "Hymn to New England" comes off brilliantly, though it ends abruptly, leaving one wanting for more. The Ives piece is out of place with this program with it's dissonance harmonics. This compilation taken as a whole is worthy addition. The recording varies from demonstration quality to coarse and harsh. Keith Lockhart and the Pops are at their best performance wise. Nice annotation included.

Another grand achievment for Mr. Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra. American Vision is his second CD (hence the title of this review). This CD contains music dealing with the absolute majesty and grandure of America, starting off with John Williams' Hyme to New England (the best place on Earth). Every piece that is on this ablum is wonderful, and you should here it.

Thoroughly rewarding CD! What a delight to find a new performance of Savannah River Holiday by Ron Nelson. A successor to Hanson's Mercury LP from the 50s. Highly recommended!

I purchased this item as a Christmas present for my mother a few years ago. I think my mother appreciated it very much. As a New Englander I like to support the local music scene.

DB