Your Country in a Classical Music Nutshell

[Karl Henning]

The most Danish music (and recording) I can think of is Carl Nielsen's third symphony recorded by The Danish State Radio Symphony orchestra conducted by John Frandsen recorded 1955.

Superb!

[Mirror Image]

This recording came immediately to mind:



The autumn airiness of Appalachian Spring to the wide-open soundscape of Billy the Kid. I realize that as vast of a country the US is that it can't be contained in one recording, but this Copland Bernstein recording comes close.

[vandermolen]

Nice choice!

+1 (for Ives's 'Concord Sonata')

[vandermolen]

This recording came immediately to mind:



The autumn airiness of Appalachian Spring to the wide-open soundscape of Billy the Kid. I realize that as vast of a country the US is that it can't be contained in one recording, but this Copland Bernstein recording comes close.

Nice choice John. With the USA one thinks (or I do at least!) of the wide open spaces but also the big cities as well (I'm not American but I'd choose Copland as well, maybe Symphony No.3 or Roy Harris's 3rd Symphony). Unlike the USA Britain never came to terms with being the first industrial nation following the Industrial Revolution - that's why the spiritual/cultural values which are seen to be English (perhaps rather than British) are all connected with the rural landscape (think of all those VW and Elgar LP and CD covers!) and the village green, cricket matches etc. This in not my original idea but decades ago I read a very interesting book about it, which explained why, by the late19th Century Britain lagged behind the emerging industrial powers (Germany, USA etc).

Here's another recording I would choose (both works) - the Tallis Fantasia in a different recording by Boult.

[Roasted Swan]

no words necessary.......

[vandermolen]

no words necessary.......

Indeed! 
Another rural scene 

[Biffo]

Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (LPO, Boult). The Tallis Fantasia is both ancient and modern and is quintessentially English (or British, as VW was of partly Welsh background). This was Boult's last word on the subject in one of his final recordings I think.

Same work, different recording - Sinfonia of London conducted by the quintessentially French-Italian cockney, Sir John Barbirolli

[(poco) Sforzando]

The Ives and Copland above are good choices for USA. However, I am going to select Elliott Carter's first string quartet as performed by the Composers Quartet.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Toru Takemitsu: In an Autumn Garden. 

[Mirror Image]

Nice choice John. With the USA one thinks (or I do at least!) of the wide open spaces but also the big cities as well (I'm not American but I'd choose Copland as well, maybe Symphony No.3 or Roy Harris's 3rd Symphony). Unlike the USA Britain never came to terms with being the first industrial nation following the Industrial Revolution - that's why the spiritual/cultural values which are seen to be English (perhaps rather than British) are all connected with the rural landscape (think of all those VW and Elgar LP and CD covers!) and the village green, cricket matches etc. This in not my original idea but decades ago I read a very interesting book about it, which explained why, by the late19th Century Britain lagged behind the emerging industrial powers (Germany, USA etc).

Here's another recording I would choose (both works) - the Tallis Fantasia in a different recording by Boult.

Thanks, Jeffrey. Good choice with RVW. It's difficult making a choice, because there are so many composers from each of our representative countries to choose from.

[staxomega]

The Ives and Copland above are good choices for USA. However, I am going to select Elliott Carter's first string quartet as performed by the Composers Quartet.

Outstanding selection with Elliott Carter's first string quartet, I have it with Pacifica Quartet as well which would satisfy this thread requirement.

My first choice was some of Morton Feldman's works I'd consider among the pinnacle of American art, but my favorite performances or even ones I could find on Youtube are performed by mostly European and one Japanese musician.

I was born in Wales, so if I can use that my choice would be Barbirolli with Hallé in RVW's second symphony: https://youtu.be/4OYmeuNELs0

I'm not sure if I'll ever "get" Ives, and I've come to live with that.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Outstanding selection with Elliott Carter's first string quartet, I have it with Pacifica Quartet as well which would satisfy this thread requirement.

My first choice was some of Morton Feldman's works I'd consider among the pinnacle of American art, but my favorite performances or even ones I could find on Youtube are performed by mostly European and one Japanese musician.

I was born in Wales, so if I can use that my choice would be Barbirolli with Hallé in RVW's second symphony: https://youtu.be/4OYmeuNELs0

I'm not sure if I'll ever "get" Ives, and I've come to live with that.

Thanks. The Pacifica is extremely good (I heard them do all five in Carter's presence at Columbia University some 10 years ago. Carter was his typically crusty self; when all the well-wishers clamored for autographs - moi aussi, EC replied with, "I shouldn't be writing my name so much, I should be writing music.") I could have just as well chosen Carter's Concerto for Orchestra, which I consider one of his greatest works. But my preferred performance of that one is Oliver Knussen's, over Bernstein's recording from the premiere.

[Mirror Image]

Toru Takemitsu: In an Autumn Garden. 

Hmmm...I thought you didn't like Takemitsu, Manabu?

[DaveF]

I'm afraid I must offer a rather different vision of Britain from the pastoral and imperial glories (2 of my favourite pieces, BTW) mentioned above:

[relm1]

For American, my vote is on Bernstein's West Side Story.  Yes, yes, lots of latin music but that's part of the point...it's a fusion of influences, it's brash, youthful and the combination is very American.  Best quick example is the symphonic dances here by Dudamel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_NelA3ZW4g

[vandermolen]

For American, my vote is on Bernstein's West Side Story.  Yes, yes, lots of latin music but that's part of the point...it's a fusion of influences, it's brash, youthful and the combination is very American.  Best quick example is the symphonic dances here by Dudamel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_NelA3ZW4g

Excellent choice for USA.

[Roasted Swan]

I'm afraid I must offer a rather different vision of Britain from the pastoral and imperial glories (2 of my favourite pieces, BTW) mentioned above:

Assuming by "imperial glories" you are referencing Elgar 2 above....... that is to misunderstand Elgar 2 and fall into the perennial trap of equating Elgar with Empire......

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Hmmm...I thought you didn't like Takemitsu, Manabu?

You're right John. Not a big fan of Takemitsu and I like only few J composers.
Maybe would you possibly post a vg album/composer for Japan for me?

[Mirror Image]

You're right John. Not a big fan of Takemitsu and I like only few J composers.
Maybe would you possibly post a vg album/composer for Japan for me?

Sure, I'll post an album on your behalf.

I believe Ogawa's Symphony, "The Castle of Japan" to be a great musical representation of Japan. It captures a certain spirit with its fantastic hybrid of Japanese traditional and European instruments.

[Sergeant Rock]

Although I'm an American I've lived in Germany 40 years and feel confident about choosing for my adopted country: Beethoven Ninth, Wand conducting the NDR SO.

Sarge