Customer Reviews

Copland: Rodeo/Billy The Kid

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Loved the music on vinyl and want it on CD. Sounds as good as the original only without the scratches.

No one else has come close to Bernstein's accounts Copland's music- including Copland himself. In every respect, this is best recording of Rodeo I've heard. The tempos are, if anything, a bit on the fast side of average. The recording quality is quite good, though the woodwinds can be a bit too quiet.

Leonard Bernstein's Columbia recording of Copland's "Rodeo" with the New York Philharmonic, made in 1960 still beats the competition hands down for sheer excitement and power. Lenny's "Buckaroo Holiday" (I) is wonderful: very fast and spirited, and no holes barred, like riding a bucking bronco. When I first heard this recording on LP in 1974, I could hardly restrain myself, as it is not only fast, but well accented, and the recording really backs up what Bernstein was trying to do in this piece. Tempos are all sensible, but fast where needed, especially in I and IV, "Hoe down." I have heard other recordings: Dorati/Detroit (London), Johanos/Dallas (Vox), Abravanel/Utah (MCA), and they all have their merits, but for sheer excitement, Bernstein is the best to have.

"Billy the Kid", recorded in 1959, is also well recorded and performed. Bernstein's tempos are sensible, and he does alot with the crescendos and repeats in the final movement, "The Open Prairie" to make it more interesting than some conductors do. I also like recordings of this work by James Judd/New Zealand Symphony (Naxos), Johanos/Dallas (Vox) and Dorati/London Symphony (Philips Mercury - more than just the suite recorded here), but again Bernstein is very fine in comparison with any of them, although he doesn't stand out as much as with "Rodeo."

Recommended, either in this recording, or the Bernstein Century edition, also on Sony Classical, which also includes Bernstein/New York Philharmonic's 1961 Columbia recording of "Appalachian Spring."

I first heard these recordings in college before CDs were even invented. They were the first performances of these works I listened to, and the performances are technically as good as anything available. Bernstein was a wizard conducting modern works, especially the Russians the the Americans. His recording of the Shostakovich Symphony 5 with the New York Philharmonic for years was considered one of the finest performances of his career. And I have always believed every recording of Copland he made for Columbia with the New York Philharmonic were the benchmarks for those works. The qualities that distinguish these recordings from other recordings? First of all, the excitement and sheer bravado of these performances. They are both ballet suites with western themes, and to my ears Rodeo presenting very melodic, almost romantic backdrops for a story, and Billy the Kid being a little more modern in approach. Both classic works, great American composer, ensemble, and conductor. I have heard Zinman's recordings of these pieces with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. As refreshing, and wonderful as those performances are, they seem at times to be an imitation of what Bernstein and the Columbia engineers had already captured here. Better recordings, no doubt. Recording technology has come such a long way since these tracks were recorded. The next factor that makes these so wonderful The concert hall acoustics, and perfect engineering. You can't beat the sound. Yes, old 1960s recordings. I have a real good system where you can hear every detail. Sometimes annoying because you can hear conductors breathing and leaning into the music, chairs squeak and pages turn. And tape hiss, especially on old analog recordings where the transfers to digital was careless and sloppy. None of that here. These things are quite subjective. Finally, not even Copland had a feel for the melody in these works like Bernstein. After hearing these recordings, Copland conducting Copland sounds a bit disjointed. Other conductors don't get the tempos, or seem to create the visuals or the sense of dance these pieces were intended to portray. This an important recording, essential for Copland collectors. Highly recommend.

Maravillosa obra musical. Con tan solo cerrar los ojos mientras se escucha parece sumergirte en el lejano oeste.
Muy pero que muy recomendable, para todas las edades.

It does not get better than Bernstein conducting Copland. I have seen both ballets many times and this CD brought back vivid memories. No one has ever captured the sounds, rythms and spirit of the West as well as Copland. The album is a treasure. I never tire of listening to it.

Bernstein and Copland, two of the giants of the American classical scene are here in this excellent recording of the latter's homage to the Old West. Every major filmed western of the 50's owes its score beginnings to themes found in Copland's music.

Just take a listen and "saddle up" for the musical ride.