Customer Reviews

Copland: Greatest Hits

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4 star:		(1)
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Aaron Copland is for me one of three of America's greatest composers of the 20th Century. Bernard Herrmann and Jerome Moross are the other two. Aaron Copland would have been 100 years old on November 14, 2000. In reflection I turn back to my first Copland album, "Copland's Greatest Hits." I was familiar as most people are with "Hoe Down" and that was the springboard for me. What attracted me was that distinctive "American" sound and "American" quality of the piece. This "American" sound is very present in Jerome Moross' score for the epic Western film, "The Big Country." One can also find similar influences in Bernard Herrmann's score for "The Kentuckian" and very much like Copland, Herrmann researched and interpolated regional folk songs and integrated them into his own unique style. Because I always liked film scores and also very much liked Copland's "Hoe Down" I always thought there had to be some connection with the musical approach. When I got this album and listened to "Appalachian Spring" for the first time I knew that I had discovered pure "Americana" and I have found that sound replicated in so many films. If you listen to the scores for "The Natural" or "Field of Dreams" or even recently to "Saving Private Ryan" this sound is present. This is a tribute to Copland and American music. Copland reinvented American music by giving it his unique structure. Copland's music is so simply melodic yet richly textured that it has an inherent sophistication that defines our nation. This is my favorite Copland album. That may be sentimental, but it helped me try to define a sound that I personally found moving and uplifting. I highly recommend this album of collected recordings. The recording of "Appalachian Spring" on this CD performed by the New York Philharmonic and conducted by Leonard Bernstein is my favorite recording of this piece to date.

Although I agree with a previous reviewer, that the connection with Bernard Herrmann is apparent to at least *some* of us, I have to disagree on one crucial fact: It's not Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic playing "Appalachian Spring" on this recording.

It's Aaron Copland himself conducting the Boston Symphony. That's a treat, although I like others' interpretations a bit better. If only for sentimental reasons, this stands out.

And, since this is a potpourri of recordings, here's the lineup:
Aaron Copland/Boston Symphony: "Appalachian Spring" and "The Tender Land (orchestral music from the opera)"
Eugene Ormandy/Philadelphia Orchestra: "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Billy the Kid"
Arthur Fiedler/Boston Pops: "Rodeo: Hoedown"

This is no doubt one of the most beautiful classical CD's I have ever listened to. Copland was and is an extremely gifted composer.

Every cut on this CD is very good. My personal favorites are "Appalacian Spring", and the "The Tender Land - Finale: The Promise of Living." I would recommend this CD to anyone who is a fan of Classical Music.

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!

The music of Copland is wonderful. It's classic and upbeat. It fills our house with excitement. Our girls dance and march around to the music. It stimulates their intellect and they're having fun while maturing.

I am really enjoying this CD, Copeland was such an amazing talent but somehow under the radar to so many people. His Fanfare for the Common Man has been heard by millions of people but I wonder how many people know the rest of his music. This CD and the Orchestras on it are top notch and I recommend it to all.

It's okay but I dont listen to it much. I have other things I would rather listen to like Chris Isaak Lawrence Welk Bee Gees etc