Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Copland Album

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Here's a great introduction to the popular music of Aaron Copland. When "Fanfare for the Common Man" begins, sparks of recognition will fly for most listeners. This song has been everywhere: presidential inaugurations, the olympics, commercials, movies, etc. Some flatten it as hopelessly clichéd, while others find it moving and inspiring. Copland also reprised it in the finale of his Third Symphony. Arguably Copland's most famous piece, "Appalachian Spring" closes the CD. In between, more great Copland: excerpts from 'Rodeo' (apparently the beef lobby has appropriated "Hoe-Down" as one of their themes); a great vocal rendition of "Simple Gifts" and a large chunk of another of Copland's best known works: "Billy the Kid". The only confusing piece is the "Variations on a Shaker Hymn" from Appalachian Spring when the entire Appalachian Spring is already included. Seems slightly redundant.

Though most of the pieces on this CD were written in the 1930s and 1940s, they tend to evoke the old west. With titles such as "Rodeo" and "Billy the Kid" this shouldn't surprise too many people.

Copland went on to compose more dissonant and twelve tone compositions later on in his career. These obviously weren't as popular with the public in general as the pieces on this CD. Nonetheless, if this disc whets the appetite, a foray into Copland's less popular works will yield much. It will help to expose the totality of Copland's output. This disc only represents a small portion of his work. Regardless, this disc is a great starting point for getting to know one of the United States' best known composers of the twentieth century.

I like all types of music, I wanted this album because I liked the song "RODEO" that is used on the beef commercials. This CD has made me into a Copland fan. It has many great songs. If you want a CD that says "I am an American." This is it. I am sending copies to a friend in Bombay and Tel Aviv. This is who I am put to music.

Loved the composer's work and the CD quality is excellent. The cover art could be better. It is not very eye catching.

I knew so far only " Fanfare for the Common Man" and " Hoedown" but performed by Emmerson, Lake& Palmer. Aaron Copland is not very well known in germany. I was curious on the original. And I did not repent that I bought it.

I love Copland so I was predisposed to loving this CD, but this one in particular has all the best that Copland has to offer. I am listening to it over and over, and the music sends me.

I enjoyed this CD. It has a really good comprehensive collection of essential Copeland music.

As a Copeland fan and classical music amateur, I have really enjoyed this collection. It includes all my favorite pieces with lovely arrangements. While I may not be able to speak to the quality of the orchestras, I can say I am pleased with the recording quality anbd presentation of these works.

This is a great album representing true patriotic American music. Songs like "Hoe-Down" are lively and energetic and give rememberance to what one can imagine as the true American spirit.