Customer Reviews

Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite/Mississippi Suite

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Excellent, classic performances of these two works by American composer Ferde Grofe. There aren't many recordings of the Mississippi Suite available, and conductor Andre Kostelenatz conducts the New York Philharmonic this majestic and sometimes (in the final movement) light music. Likewise, the great Leonard Bernstein conducts the Philharmonic in the Grand Canyon Suite, which summons the majesty of the Grand Canyon, and includes a remarkable violin solo by John Corigliano. These are terrific performances, and available at a low price. Another solid entry is the CBS Records "Great Performances" collection.

While driving through the Painted Desert in Arizona on my way to NAU in Flagstaff I was listening to this CD and it just made the Painted Desert come alive. I could just picture each area of the Grand Canyon as the music came on. It was one of the most plesant drives I've taken in years. Also I was replacing a CD that had gotten stolen and I missed this mucic, so I ordered a replacement. I'm glad that I did. I danced to this mucis years ago at a ballet recital and the music had always remained with me. I really recommend playing this music as you pass through the Grand Canyon area but it's just as beautiful if you're sitting in your own living room or parlor listening to it.

Given the fact that The Grand Canyon suite is a concert pops piece, it should be a piece of cake for Lenny to pull this off. Well, he can't, and it's terrible. The most famous movement, On The Trail, is lacking the excitement and spirit that this needs. His celeste solo is so over blown with extra accents and mannered phrasing, you realize just how self indulgent Bernstein is. Compare this to Stanley Black. His Grand Canyon is terrific. With Phase 4 engineering, great strings and plenty of spirit, he captures the mood of the piece with great verve. Skip the Bernstein tracks and just listen to Kostelanetz. The string sound he gets from the NYP is much better than Bernstein. It's hard to believe that it's the same orchestra. Even though this work is much shorter, Kostelanetz gives it his all. Daybreak is uplifting and majestic. Since this piece is rarely played, it's nice to have it on cd. Kostelanetz is the only version you'll need. Skip Bernstein and listen to Kostelanetz.

When these recordings first came out I was too young to

have it on record, but later I had it on tape, and now

on CD. This is the best recording by far of these two works.

This recording I really love it. I remember as a teen in

the late 80's and early 90's comming home from school, how

I loved to listen to the "Grand Canyon Suite", how much

I like the "special effects" such as the "thunder storm" in the

last movement, and the "donkey" or "horse" steps as it would walk

through the desert. Grofe used such "special effects" I guess

to help us imagine better what he was trying to describe in his

music. The Mississippi Suite has always been a favorite too, with

its "Mardi Gras" finale, which depicts a carnival parade, so pupular

in the south as in many parts of the world. Kostalanetz, Bernstein

and the New Yorkers really put a "good show".

LOVE this !!! I'm well over "half a century old" now ... and been listening to this for almost my whole life. LOVE this ... and the Mississippi Suite, too ... they just go together in my mind, mood, and memory. My dad turned me on to it when I was a wee bambino. I love to lay on the living room floor with my eyes closed and "crank it up," just letting the music wash over & thru me. I have seen both the Grand Canyon & the Mississippi River (in several places) and this music still moves me to tears. It's GREAT !!!

I have the original vinyl record,and i was expecting

great sounds from the new c.d.,alas the storm section

was quite disapointing,as the vinyl record had the

wind roaring enough to give the listener goose bumps,

and this is lacking on the c.d.

At least this recording still has the magic of yesteryear.

john.

I first had the Grand Canyon Suite conducted by Berstein as a vinyl recording. I missed it very much when I could no longer play it. I have two other conductors and orchestras doing Grand Canyon, but they are both lacking the expression in which this performance excels. I was thrilled to get this CD!! Berstein definitely understands the power of this great composition.

Kostelanetz does a great job with the Mississippi Suite. I have it on one other CD and, though that one is good, Kostelanetz brings a flavor to it that makes me think I am actually on the river. I was born in Memphis and go back to visit relatives frequently. The music and the flow and the majesty of the river is wonderfully depicted.

We take it in the car when we go to the Grand Canyon (frequently), and on occasion when we get to Mississippi.

Ferde Grofe did write what is commonly referred to as "program music" in the same vein as Holst wrote "The Planets." However, this suite for full orchestra is a sweeping and uplifting magnificent score that displays all of an orchestra's talents from soloists to percussion. The descriptive day in the Grand Canyon as told through music is an adventure for the ear. Leonard Bernstein conducted at the height of his power this frequently played classic often seen on programs thirty years ago but rarely played today. If you love big orchestras with big sound and lots of dynamics, this is your kind of recording. Berstein had a great sense of rhythm when it came to pacing. That is perhaps why so many of his recordings and those of Eugene Ormandy seem so difficult to replace in the minds of listeners. Once you hear this version, all others seem to pale in comparison. Highly recommended.

I used to listen to this symphony on a record album as a child. This recording brought back great memories and this is a great production. Love it. The symphony really takes you there.