Copland: The Tender Land (complete opera) [Box set]

James Bohn (Performer), Aaron Copland (Composer), Philip Brunelle (Conductor), Janis Hardy (Performer), Plymouth Music Series Orchestra (Orchestra), Soloists of Plymouth Music Series (Orchestra), Elisabeth Comeaux (Performer), Sue Herber (Performer), Dan Dressen (Performer), Agnes Smuda (Performer), LeRoy Lehr (Performer), Maria Jette (Performer), Merle Fristad (Performer), Vern Sutton (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: James Bohn, Janis Hardy, Elisabeth Comeaux, Sue Herber, Dan Dressen, et al.
• Orchestra: Plymouth Music Series Orchestra, Soloists of Plymouth Music Series
• Conductor: Philip Brunelle
• Composer: Aaron Copland
• Audio CD (September 23, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Virgin
• ASIN: B000002RZP
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,386 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #73 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Languages > English

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. The Tender Land, opera: Prelude

2. The Tender Land, opera: Act 1. Scene 1.: The front yard of the Moss home

3. The Tender Land, opera: Act 1. Scene 1.: 'Two little bits of metal'

4. The Tender Land, opera: Act 1. Scene 1.: The arrival of the postman

5. The Tender Land, opera: Act 1. Scene 2.: Opening the package

6. The Tender Land, opera: Act 1. Scene 2.: 'This is like the dress I never had'

7. The Tender Land, opera: Act 1. Scene 2.: Dance and exit

8. The Tender Land, opera: Act 1. Scene 3.: 'Once I thought I'd never grow'

9. The Tender Land, opera: Act 1. Scene 3.: Ma's entrance

10. The Tender Land, opera: Act 1. Scene 3.: 'Remember the boy that used to call', Ma's exit

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 1.: The graduation eve supper

2. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 1.: The supper ends

3. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 1.: Grandpa's toast: 'Try makin' peace'

4. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 1.: Laurie's reply: 'Thank you, thank you all'

5. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 1.: The invitation to dance

6. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 1.: The dance: 'Stomp your foot upon the floor'

7. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 2.: Dance music and dialogue

8. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 3.: Party music back in the house

9. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 3.: 'Oh, I was goin' a-courtin' '

10. The Tender Land, opera: Act 2. Scene 3.: The dancing resumes

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 1-APR-1996

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So many unknown but great songs, January 5, 2000

By 

Cory Anderson (Bluemont, Virgina (USA)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Copland: The Tender Land (complete opera) (Audio CD)

I found this opera to contain a very well layed plot. To accompany the plot, Copland has added some very beautiful mealodies for both vocal and orchestral. The music is no surprise for the first time it is listened to. It's typical Copland. Out of my entire collection of music, I treasure this CD the most. The best part about it is that the oprea is in English! I can actually understand what the characters are saying. It's also a great opera to introduce to a preteen or a teen. There is no violence and a rape is only mentioned in a very 'proper' manner. I, myself, am a teen and I might not of ever started listening to opera if it wasn't for this one.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Tender Land - First Rate Copland, November 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Copland: The Tender Land (complete opera) (Audio CD)

This is first rate Copland (no doubt about it). Is it first rate Opera? Depends. If your ideal of Opera is Puccini or Verdi or Wagner -- Tender land is not these in American garb.(Wotan in blue Jeans - ? sorry, not this ). It's American Opera, in a style for American Composers. If you like Copland's "easier" style, you'll love this as well. The story is fine and the music serves its purpose - to convey the story's characters feelings and emotions. Brunelle does fine job and the singers serve Aarons music well. If you want the composers' ideas on this work, Copland conducted an abridged version of "Land" that is still available. Interested in other American operas?
Carlisle Floyd's "SUSANNAH" (Curtin, Triegle New Orlean Opera) An absolute must !
Douglas Moore's "THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE" ( Sills, Cassilly NYCO )
Edward Thomas' "DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS" (this is a real sleeper - the critics trounced it but it's a fine work in my opinion -besides, how can you go wrong with Jim Morris in the cast? )
Sam Barbers' "VANESSA".
Give these AMERICAN OPERAS' a try ( and throw out your preconceived notions of what Opera should be . Its new stuff !

17 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Copeland is no Wagner, February 24, 2000

By 

"edmu03" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Copland: The Tender Land (complete opera) (Audio CD)

Okay, I must admit that the instrumental music of the Tender Land is one of the most beautiful works of Copeland's illustrious career, but if you're looking for a big dramatic story with Wagner horn wails, then looks elsewhere. Brunelle's interpretations are good, however I found one of the male vocalists to be rather lack-luster. I don't condone public humiliation so I won't say who it was. I've not heard any other versions of the full opera, so I cannot make any comparisons. However if you have only heard the highlights of this opera (ie- The Promise of Living), you might want to buy a CD containing the orchestral suite because I find much of the reccitativo (sp?) in this opera very tedious to listen to. I recommend the RCA Victor "Composers Conduct" series because Copeland conducts the suite himself with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Included also on the CD is the Appalachian Spring Suite, Morton Gould conducting his "Fall River Legend Suite" and his "Latin-American Symphonette" Again, if you're a big fan of American Opera, then this is your CD, but if you're just a fan of Copeland, get the orchestral suite!