Customer Reviews

Copland: Orchestral Works

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

 

 

This is a collection for the true Copland fan. Because you don't buy this one for the serviceable but undistinguished renditions of the famous pieces - Fanfare, Appalachian Spring, Rodeo and El Salon Mexico. For those, look no further than Bernstein's seminal recordings with the NY Phil plus his second version of Appalachian Spring with the LA Phil, as well as Slatkin's with St. Louis. What a die-hard Copland-phile cannot live without, though, are the superb renditions of many of Copland's lesser-known but terrific compositions here that are rare or would otherwise take several purchases to cover: Mehta's Lincoln Portrait that is taut, brassy, dramatic and perfectly patriotic - with Gregory Peck fittingly authoritative and sounding close to what we would imagine when Abe Lincoln speaks; possibly the best version out there of Copland's underperformed masterpiece Quiet City from Marriner - just listen to the exquisite trumpet playing!; a charming Marilyn Horne singing excerpts from Old American Songs - poignantly evoking colonial Americana; Dorati's perceptive and atmospheric Dance Symphony; and a colorful Music for Movies from the London Sinfonietta playing highly American music with European flair. Furthermore, the Decca engineers provide demonstration-quality sound. Subtract one star for the casual Copland listener, but for the enthusiast: ****

Other references: Recommended by Gramophone, Penguin Guide and Classical Music: Third Ear.

I bought this release for Appalachian Spring, unsatisfied with the "usual" performances that many of these other reviewers seem to hold so dear. Quite frankly, for me, these typical performances turned me off to this work for years. But it was this performance by Zubin Mehta and the LA Phil that brought out the work's true essence.

Through Appalachian Spring, Copland demonstrated a new musical language that was distinctly American. Earnest, but informal. Simple but sophisticated. But most importantly, it exists on multiple levels. Behind all of the foreground frivolity and catchy tunes is a tonality that brilliantly coheres the work.

While the "usual" performances opt for a self-indulgent approach that leaves the listener with a superficial experience, Zubin Mehta takes on the whole work--bringing out all of the important dimensions and putting them in clear relief for the listener. With this recording, Appalachian Spring is a substantial work--a brilliant masterpiece.

The only redeeming value this grabbag has are the excellent Dorati presentations. The rest is middlin' to start and it tapers off from there. It tapers very far with the raw sound of Horne and the at-sea concepts of a young Zubin Mehta who obviously recorded this material before he was ready. His LA Phil isn't anything to write home about, either, which makes you wonder how just a few years earlier it was so superb for Leinsdorf and Wallenstein.

The manufacturer is just trying to make hay on some old recordings here. Dorati's are fairly recent, though, and you can buy his things elsewhere, so WHY would anyone want this?

The Fanfare for a Common Man could arguably be the best recording out there. Despite it's faster tempo, the LA Phil brass play it almost flawlessly(there are two notes of the entire song that the trumpets don't quite lock in). The trombones and percussion are phenomenol as well as the horns. The Appalachian Spring is done superbly also. The lesser known songs were a fresh introduction to less familiar Copland. The entire set(with the exception of the Lincoln portrait and Rodeo) is great. Definately recommended.

i totally love this Aaron Copeland classic.