Copland's symphonies

Started by rubio, April 12, 2008, 03:22:39 AM

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rubio

April 12, 2008, 03:22:39 AM
I just borrowed the below CD from the library, and I really liked the 3rd symphony of Copland. It's rythmic, exciting and consistently interesting. The sound of this Chandos CD is also stunning which is a nice bonus. And the coupled, short Harris work is excellent as well.

How does this interpretation of the Copland 3rd compare to other interpreations (e.g. Bernstein Sony)? Which are your favourite recordings and how are his other symphonies?

"One good thing about music, when it hits- you feel no pain" Bob Marley

FredT

#1
April 12, 2008, 05:21:55 AM
Bernstein recorded the Copland twice in NY and Copland did the same in London. Both of their earlier recordings are the stronger then the remakes. Benrstein has long been considered the ideal interpreter of the 3rd. The sweep of the music and brash Americana suit his strengths. Years ago Dorati recorded, I believe, the first recording of the 3rd in Minneapolis. I've got it on LP, a classic. Why Universal did not release it on Mercury is anyone's guess. It has great historical significance.

Copland was not by nature a "symphonist" and his other symphonies do not really feel like symphonies. The symphony for Organ and orchestra is really a concerto, in my opinion, and the the Dance Symphony is more of a suite. The 3rd was definitely Copland's best take at the symphony form.

vandermolen

#2
April 12, 2008, 06:35:43 AM Last Edit: April 12, 2008, 06:41:20 AM by vandermolen
Quote from: rubio on April 12, 2008, 03:22:39 AM
I just borrowed the below CD from the library, and I really liked the 3rd symphony of Copland. It's rythmic, exciting and consistently interesting. The sound of this Chandos CD is also stunning which is a nice bonus. And the coupled, short Harris work is excellent as well.

How does this interpretation of the Copland 3rd compare to other interpreations (e.g. Bernstein Sony)? Which are your favourite recordings and how are his other symphonies?



That CD (Chandos) was poorly reviewed when it first came out but I like it. It is a unique and very appropriate coupling and I enjoyed the performance of the Copland. My favourite recording of Copland's Third Symphony is by Eduardo Mata with the Dallas SO. It has just been reissued on a very good double EMI Copland CD (in the UK at least) as part of their Gemini series. I have many recordings of the work as it is one I really love. I prefer Bernstein's DGG version to the earlier one on Sony. I like both Copland's understated recordings (Everest/Sony) and there is a good one on Naxos. Dorati's version is supposed to be great but I have never heard it and it is not on CD. Slatkin's RCA version was excellent but it is out of print (I saw him conduct it live in London...a great experience).

I have recently discovered the early Organ Concerto. There is a v good Sony recording with E Power Biggs and Bernstein and there was a more modern version on Delos, conducted by Andrew Litton, on another v good Copland compilation.

If you want to try something a bit more challenging, try Copland's "Symphonic Ode" which I think is a great work (there is a fine Michael Tilson Thomas recording on RCA).
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Bogey

#3
April 12, 2008, 06:56:51 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 12, 2008, 06:35:43 AM


If you want to try something a bit more challenging, try Copland's "Symphonic Ode" which I think is a great work (there is a fine Michael Tilson Thomas recording on RCA).

And as a bonus you get Short Symphont (Symphony No. 2) on the same disc.  Here is the disc:



or just grab the MTT box set that Corey just purchased, which contains this disc.
There will never be another era like the Golden Age of Hollywood.  We didn't know how to blow up buildings then so we had no choice but to tell great stories with great characters.-Ben Mankiewicz

hornteacher

#4
April 13, 2008, 08:37:00 AM
Second both the Bernstein and MTT suggestions.  MTT has sort of become the champion of Copland's music since Bernstein's death.  He even has a great DVD on Copland which includes a full performance of the chamber version of App Spring.

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=148122&album_group=2

In addition to the other CD suggestions,  I highly recommend the often neglected Atlanta Symphony Recordings on Telarc linked below:

http://www.amazon.com/Copland-Third-Symphony-Music-Theatre/dp/B000003CVR/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1208104586&sr=1-2

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=1409&album_group=5

vandermolen

#5
April 13, 2008, 09:55:25 AM
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

drogulus

#6
April 13, 2008, 10:17:09 AM


    I have the Bernstein/Biggs Organ Symphony and it is very good. I don't know if I need another version. The same applies with my Mata/Dallas SO recording of the 3rd. I also have the first Bernstein 3rd but Mata is just overwhelming, especially the last movement where it takes off into the stratosphere.
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vandermolen

#7
April 13, 2008, 10:20:54 AM
Quote from: drogulus on April 13, 2008, 10:17:09 AM

    I have the Bernstein/Biggs Organ Symphony and it is very good. I don't know if I need another version. The same applies with my Mata/Dallas SO recording of the 3rd. I also have the first Bernstein 3rd but Mata is just overwhelming, especially the last movement where it takes off into the stratosphere.

I think that Mata is the best and I like his Chavez symphony set on Vox. V sad that he died comparatively young in an aircrash.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

drogulus

#8
April 13, 2008, 10:25:54 AM


    I wasn't aware of that, vandermolen. He must have had a great gift to produce even a single interpretation of such power. I should look Mata up and see what I can find about him.
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The new erato

#9
April 13, 2008, 10:34:14 AM

Taking off on a tangent: This is a most charming record:

J.Z. Herrenberg

#10
April 13, 2008, 10:54:53 AM
I know this is a Copland thread, but I uploaded Bernstein's first (and best, IMO) performance of the Harris Third (with the NYPO) in the Listening thread yesterday. It is a flac file, so - a lossless rip. For those who are interested and missed it the first time...:

http://rapidshare.com/files/102188049/Roy_Harris_-_Symphony_No.3.flac
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. -- Plato

vandermolen

#11
April 13, 2008, 12:06:57 PM
Quote from: erato on April 13, 2008, 10:34:14 AM
Taking off on a tangent: This is a most charming record:



Thank you, looks like an interesting programme. I will look out for it.
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

vandermolen

#12
April 13, 2008, 12:08:34 PM
Quote from: drogulus on April 13, 2008, 10:25:54 AM

    I wasn't aware of that, vandermolen. He must have had a great gift to produce even a single interpretation of such power. I should look Mata up and see what I can find about him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Mata
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).
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