Copland: Symphony No. 3; Quiet City

Aaron Copland (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), Thomas Stacy (Performer), New York Philharmonic (Orchestra), Philip Smith (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Thomas Stacy, Philip Smith
• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Aaron Copland
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001G7A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,664 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #19 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( C ) > Copland, Aaron
  #34 in	Music > Classical > Symphonies > Modern & 20th Century
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Late in his career, Leonard Bernstein returned to the greatest orchestral work by his lifelong friend, Aaron Copland, with a performance that eclipsed all others, including Bernstein's own previous recording of the Symphony no. 3 on Sony. Though Copland's stock still hadn't climbed back to its present height, Bernstein gave the music a grandeur that made you forget how much of a cliché the Fanfare for the Common Man--which was worked into the finale of the Third--can be. In fact, many of the world-stopping qualities Bernstein brought to his second Mahler cycle for Deutsche Grammophon seem much in evidence here, with the New York Philharmonic playing as though its collective life depended on it. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Late, great Bernstein, July 2, 2004

By	Bruce Hodges (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was one of Leonard Bernstein's last recordings, and turns out to be one of his most memorable ones as well. Copland's Third Symphony uses his "Fanfare for the Common Man" as its climax, and Bernstein mines every bit of emotion you might expect. I'm not completely convinced that the symphony is necessarily one of the composer's tightest works, but Bernstein makes every minute sound essential, and the New York Philharmonic plays with terrific nobility and panache.

"Quiet City" is also beautifully done, with Bernstein capturing its plaintive, idyllic qualities perfectly. The orchestra has an excellent brass section, and some gorgeous work here just confirms it. The sound quality is excellent, not the least in the gleaming, closing pages of the Third Symphony that may have you cheering. A great document of Bernstein's electricity, a quality that was still present right up until the very end.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Rate Copland, December 11, 2000

By	127 (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This is an excellent CD in all respects: musicianship, conducting, recording quality, etc. The string sound at the opening is serene and beautiful and the brass and percussion are strong but never out of balance. The opening of the second movement on this CD is one of the finest brass orchestral passages that I've heard.

This is also Leonard Bernstein in outstanding form. He made a number of excellent recordings later in his life with DG, including this and his Mahler Symphony cycle, and I have yet to hear a bad CD from the lot. Bernstein recorded an earlier Copland Third that is (I believe) presently out as part of the Bernstein Century series on Sony. Both are excellent readings, but if you have to pick one, the later DG wins out.

The addition of Phil Smith, who is in the top handful of trumpeters in the world, playing Copland's beautiful and reflective "Quiet City" makes this hard to turn down. If you are a Copland enthusiast, interested in American music, or simply in search of a beautiful CD, this will not disappoint.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!, December 29, 1999

By	Noah Lambert "Noah Lambert" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This represents, to me, one of Leonard Bernstein's best efforts. Copland's Third Symphony is one of the best symphonies ever written. It has never received the type of recognition it deserves. This is the best recording of it. The New York Philharmonic gives Leonard Bernstein some of their best playing and they play wonderfully. As a trumpet student I have enviably seen and looked at Quiet City. It is one of the harder pieces in the trumpet repertoire. Philip Smith is one of the best trumpet players in the World, next to Adolph Herseth, he the best symphonic trumpet player in the United States. In Quiet City he shows off his tone and precision, and the it comes off nicely! This CD is very recommended!