Customer Reviews

Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Fanfare for the Common Man

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The performance by all is first-rate; and the sonic picture is terrific!

The interpretation of Appalachian Spring is one of my absolute favorites--I treasure it.

Atlanta sounds world-class. Worth the money, despite the short measure of the disc!

And now, something distinctly American: the music of Aaron Copland. I'm proud and happy to be an American, and so was Mr. Copland, apparently. I enjoy living in the southern Appalachians. It was getting acquainted with this region of the country that I got better acquainted with his music- which has a certain vivid photographic quality to it. That is, it conveys the social and even the topographic landscape of our wonderful country with brilliant imagery in music. The strong use of brass and percussion gives us the full, broad and rich sounds that match our American landscape, while the woodwinds and strings often capture the intimate woodland settings and quiet places of our forests.

I've heard a few interpretations of App. Spring, and this is a little on the fast side, in my opinion. Still very good...

I was pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of this recording. I used to think that only Angel Records could produce such quality. The people who did the mixing made me feel like I was standing next to the conductor. Every solo instrument seemed to sound its best.
I also liked the interpretation. I though it was traditional and being a tone poem I had no problem closing my eyes and "seeing" the action.

This CD contains three of Aaron Copland's more popular works: "Fanfare for the Common Man"; "Rodeo," and "Appalachian Spring." Louis Lane conducts the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and they play Copland's works well.

A few brief comments about each. "Fanfare for the Common Man" is one of my favorite fanfares. The name alone biases me in its favor. But the cadence is wonderful, beginning with percussion. Then, the soaring horn. Then percussion again. 3:14 of wondrous, powerful music. I often get goose bumps listening to this short piece. The liner notes comment that the key to this work's continuing popularity is ". . .the soaring, heroic character of its opening trumpet line. . . ."

"Rodeo" is another enjoyable work. Its four movements go from "Buckaroo Holiday" to the well known "Hoe Down.""Buckaroo Holiday" is a lively piece and will be familiar to many. It begins with a toe-tapping introduction, The final movement, "Hoe Down," has been used as a theme in advertisements put out by beef growers in the U. S, (as I recall, Robert Mitchum was one of the early pitchmen in this ad, with Copland's work backing him up). This is another fast-paced, lively piece. Its energy is maintained throughout. The title, "Hoe Down," is lived up to by the music (and by this performance) and if I could dance I'd probably get up and dance!

The final piece is the 22 minute "Appalachian Spring." The song "Simple Gifts" serves as a theme interspersed here and there. This work starts out at a slow, contemplative pace. This is a good version of Copland's composition.

All in all, this is a good version of these three works. If you like Copland, I would suspect that you would like this CD.

Wonderful collection of Aaron Copland Hits!
If a classical genius ever had a hit....like Britany. Luckily for us though. No Britany, Aaron yes! Very well done passages, Fanfare for the Common this NYS composers signature and a piece that has stuck with me since my college radio days 35 years ago! Eugene Ormandy, Leonard Bernstein and Louis Lane conducting these masterpieces, I had to have three renditions!

I've had this collection of Copland pieces, in album and cassette form, for many years. I consider it an essential part of my collection, which I listen to often. The only piece that's a little bothersome to my ear is Hoedown, which the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra played a little too fast. In copies of this CD I've made for myself and friends, I replace this version of Hoedown with one from another CD, where Copland himself is conducting...a much slower and more enjoyable version of the piece. All the other cuts on this CD are excellent interpretations of Copland, including his masterpiece, "Appalachian Spring." I highly recommend this CD to any Copland fans out there, or to anyone who wants a fine introduction to a great American composer and his work.

This was one of my first CD purchases several years ago. It was always one of my favorites. I always considered other recordings of these works, some of which I own, to lack the energy and clarity of this recording. Unfortunately I lost this recording on a recent business trip and need to replace it in my collection. While this CD was not the first I had heard of Copland this particular recording made me appreciate the truely american character of this composer. I now consider myself a true Copland fan.

The sound quality of this CD is nothing less than stupendous. The Fanfare will separate the men from the boys when it comes to exhibiting the potential (or lack thereof) of high end audio equipment. What a find.

This was one of my first CD purchases several years ago. It was always one of my favorites. I always considered other recordings of these works, some of which I own, to lack the energy and clarity of this recording. Unfortunately I lost this recording on a recent business trip and need to replace it in my collection. While this CD was not the first I had heard of Copland this particular recording made me appreciate the truely american character of this composer. I now consider myself a true Copland fan.

A good compilation of favorites, introducing a novice to the music of Aaron Copland. Good for the music library and a start for an inquisitive mind.