The Road Less Traveled: Byways of American Music

Stephen Shewan; Randall Thompson; Vaclav Nehybel (Composer), Franz Anton Krager; Stephen Shewan (Conductor), Roberts Wesleyan Chorale and Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Roberts Wesleyan Chorale and Orchestra
• Conductor: Franz Anton Krager; Stephen Shewan
• Composer: Stephen Shewan; Randall Thompson; Vaclav Nehybel
• Audio CD (September 1, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Albany Records
• ASIN: B000ARTMZW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,849 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Celebration Overture

2. Frostiana

3. Te Deum Laudamus

4. For Dancing Hearts and Tunes

5. Light

6. Land of Rest

7. Psalm 150

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More!, December 28, 2005

By 

L. Bailey (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Road Less Traveled: Byways of American Music (Audio CD)

When listening to the first track on the recording, I was struck by the resemblance to an American composer not even represented on the album, Aaron Copland. It is always dangerous to say this - I do not mean the the composer has in any way copied Copland, but that the celebratory spirit evident reminds me of the spirit present in Copland's work. My only complaint about this wonderful performance is that it leaves one wanting more - I could wish for a large work/suite. I also must single out Shewan's "For Dancing Hearts and Tunes" as another such example of Americana.

The performance by the Roberts Wesleyan Chorale is exemplary, although the voices seem somewhat muted, almost background to the instruments (this being the reason that I rated the recording 4 stars instead of 5).

The performances on the remainder of the compositions are very good to excellent, particularly on "Choose Something Like Star" from Randall Thompson's "Frostiana" and Ron Nelson's "Te Deum Laudamus".

This recording would certainly be a must-have for any collection of chorale music, let alone collections of American music.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Americana Music, October 29, 2009

By 

Barbara A. Wagner (Pensacola, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The road Less Traveled - Byways Of American Music (MP3 Download)

More than three decades ago, I was privileged to sing Frostiana in a chamber ensemble in college. I've often thought fondly of those seven songs that almost magically put several Robert Frost poems to music. They were exciting, mournful, haunting, piercing, majestic songs that beautifully matched his words. This music can minister to the soul, bringing you to moments of rapture one second and to tears another with its sheer beauty. I was delighted to find them here in this album.

I honestly bought the album just for the Frostiana numbers, but I have been equally delighted with the other songs contained. The quality is excellent and I have thrilled to listen to each of them. I pray that there is never a day that music doesn't absolutely transform me.