Naxos American Classics

[Dundonnell]

Hey, ho.......do I have to add that I am-of course-in full agreement with my esteemed friend(probably now released from his Saturday 'voluntary' incarceration in his school-a building incidentally which reminds me of a cross between a Victorian lunatic asylum and the sort of Carpathian castle habituated by the villains in Hammer Horror films)

Btw I hope your no doubt illustrious Head doesn't like classical music

McKay was a composer of genuine substance. Perhaps it was because he was based in Seattle-not then as fashionable as it has later become-that he was less often heard than some of his contemporaries?

Although I bought the Naxos disc of the Epoch Symphony when it was issued a month or two back I held off playing it at first because I doubted from what I read that the piece would actually hang together. Having now listened to it now I am not sure that it does-the last movement('Machine Age Blues') is not one I would much like to listen to again. The other movements are much more to my taste however and certainly do remind me of some British composers. The 'Pastoral' movement is particularly beautiful.

Must go back and give the other works you recommend a whirl

[vandermolen]

Hey, ho.......do I have to add that I am-of course-in full agreement with my esteemed friend(probably now released from his Saturday 'voluntary' incarceration in his school-a building incidentally which reminds me of a cross between a Victorian lunatic asylum and the sort of Carpathian castle habituated by the villains in Hammer Horror films)

Btw I hope your no doubt illustrious Head doesn't like classical music

McKay was a composer of genuine substance. Perhaps it was because he was based in Seattle-not then as fashionable as it has later become-that he was less often heard than some of his contemporaries?

Although I bought the Naxos disc of the Epoch Symphony when it was issued a month or two back I held off playing it at first because I doubted from what I read that the piece would actually hang together. Having now listened to it now I am not sure that it does-the last movement('Machine Age Blues') is not one I would much like to listen to again. The other movements are much more to my taste however and certainly do remind me of some British composers. The 'Pastoral' movement is particularly beautiful.

Must go back and give the other works you recommend a whirl

Good morning Colin!

I am now temporarily released from Castle Dracula (I would have added Colditz to your description of the buildings although the Hammer House of Horror/Bedlam analogy is highly appropriate...the school has recently been painted a ghastly yellow colour, which gives it a sickly hue). Back to McKay. Totally agree with you about movement 4 of the Epoch Symphony although it reminded me a bit of Foulds before it lapsed into a kind of light music which does not appeal. But, as you agree, the slow movement is beautiful. Do try Song Over the Great Plain, a bit like an American Lark Ascending, I play it more than any other work by McKay, but the Sinfonietta No 4 from 1942 and the Suite on 16th Century Hymn Tunes (1962) are well worth on exploring (all on the same CD).

[jowcol]

I've also been dipping into the Naxos American series—here are some notes on some of them.

Rorem Three Symphonies—I like this disc a lot—particularly the third.  The Piano Concerto #2 is also a nice investment if you like his more Romantic stuff.

I'm still wrapping my head around the Stephen Albert Symphonies—like, not love , is how I feel that  moment.

Craig Russell: Rhapsody for Horn and Orchestra —I dunno—I confess I haven't gotten through it yet.  It seems a bit too crowd-friendly to me, but I liked some of the stuff he's tried to incorporate here-- it just lacks a bit of bite.  It seems like watered down jazz, watered down Afro-Cuban, etc.  Maybe I picked the wrong day to listen.

Hanson- Organ Concerto—what a work!  I'm a big Hanson fan, but this alone was worth the price of admission.  None of the others on that disc grabbed me as much.  The Symphony 1 disc didn't get me as strong either—I don't know if it was the work itself or the interpretation.  Hard to beat symphonies 2 and 4. (Particularly 4)

Hailstork: Symphonies 2 and 3.   Although I think both ran a bit long, the first and fourth movements for symphony 2 were real keepers. 


Antheil: Ballet Mechanique.  Lots of fun to play loud—although some of his quiet Stravinsky influenced works on the disc left a longer impression on me.


The Barber Series:  I don't have other versions to compare to, but this was certainly worth the cost.  Highlights were the Knoxville 1915 with the all important Essay #2, the Cello Concerto (a gem), and the Symphonies disc—although I must admit the reconstituted 2nd Symphony did not blow me away as much as the first. Tucked in at the end of the Violin Concerto disc was the Music for a Scene By Shelly, and that is a real powerful one.

Creston Symphonies 1-3:  Okay—this didn't grab me completely as a whole , but the second half of his Dance Symphony is something I can listen to on endless repeat.  The rhythms are so compelling.  Similarly, the disc with Symphony 5 has one track I gravitate towards, and that is the powerful Invocation and Dance.

Diamond Symphonies 2 and 4:  Love the dark mood in the first movement of the second symphony. The disc with the 3rd didn't grab me as much, but I need to go back.

Flagello- Symphony 1, Theme, Variations and Fugue.  I didn't immediately take to the symphony, but the Fugue at the end is one of those "power" pieces that needs to be heard real loud.

Griffes—Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan and other Orchestral stuff .  What a loss that he died so young.  Anybody who admired the impressionists and Scriabin has my admiration.  A solid album.

Hartke- Clarinet Concerto.  I liked this a good deal—recommended if you want to find the middle ground between Stravinsky and jazz.

Harris: Symphonies 7 and 9.  Listened twice and put back on shelf.  Neither grabbed me like his Third.
Hovhanness: Symphony 22 and Cello Concerto:  Based on what I read here, I need to go back and listen again.

Nancarrow: Pieces for Small Orchestra.  Some very interesting stuff, and, as far I can tell, pulled off very well.  I must admit I like the player piano stuff more, but even that in light doses.

Piston: The Incredible Flutist, Symphonies 2 and 6.  Liked these at first listen, but didn't feel a tug to go back.

Serebrier Symphony #3:  This didn't really grab me—I may be missing something.  It's on the list of ones I need to go back to.

I for one love this series, and everything Naxos does to get more of the repertoire out there. (I've also been bagging the Bax, Arnold, and Alwyn cycles.)  Since my tastes are pretty omnivorous (jazz, blues and world) , I usually can't afford to collect extra versions of the same work. 

[vandermolen]

I've also been dipping into the Naxos American series—here are some notes on some of them.

Rorem Three Symphonies—I like this disc a lot—particularly the third.  The Piano Concerto #2 is also a nice investment if you like his more Romantic stuff.

I'm still wrapping my head around the Stephen Albert Symphonies—like, not love , is how I feel that  moment.

Craig Russell: Rhapsody for Horn and Orchestra —I dunno—I confess I haven't gotten through it yet.  It seems a bit too crowd-friendly to me, but I liked some of the stuff he's tried to incorporate here-- it just lacks a bit of bite.  It seems like watered down jazz, watered down Afro-Cuban, etc.  Maybe I picked the wrong day to listen.

Hanson- Organ Concerto—what a work!  I'm a big Hanson fan, but this alone was worth the price of admission.  None of the others on that disc grabbed me as much.  The Symphony 1 disc didn't get me as strong either—I don't know if it was the work itself or the interpretation.  Hard to beat symphonies 2 and 4. (Particularly 4)

Hailstork: Symphonies 2 and 3.   Although I think both ran a bit long, the first and fourth movements for symphony 2 were real keepers. 


Antheil: Ballet Mechanique.  Lots of fun to play loud—although some of his quiet Stravinsky influenced works on the disc left a longer impression on me.


The Barber Series:  I don't have other versions to compare to, but this was certainly worth the cost.  Highlights were the Knoxville 1915 with the all important Essay #2, the Cello Concerto (a gem), and the Symphonies disc—although I must admit the reconstituted 2nd Symphony did not blow me away as much as the first. Tucked in at the end of the Violin Concerto disc was the Music for a Scene By Shelly, and that is a real powerful one.

Creston Symphonies 1-3:  Okay—this didn't grab me completely as a whole , but the second half of his Dance Symphony is something I can listen to on endless repeat.  The rhythms are so compelling.  Similarly, the disc with Symphony 5 has one track I gravitate towards, and that is the powerful Invocation and Dance.

Diamond Symphonies 2 and 4:  Love the dark mood in the first movement of the second symphony. The disc with the 3rd didn't grab me as much, but I need to go back.

Flagello- Symphony 1, Theme, Variations and Fugue.  I didn't immediately take to the symphony, but the Fugue at the end is one of those "power" pieces that needs to be heard real loud.

Griffes—Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan and other Orchestral stuff .  What a loss that he died so young.  Anybody who admired the impressionists and Scriabin has my admiration.  A solid album.

Hartke- Clarinet Concerto.  I liked this a good deal—recommended if you want to find the middle ground between Stravinsky and jazz.

Harris: Symphonies 7 and 9.  Listened twice and put back on shelf.  Neither grabbed me like his Third.
Hovhanness: Symphony 22 and Cello Concerto:  Based on what I read here, I need to go back and listen again.

Nancarrow: Pieces for Small Orchestra.  Some very interesting stuff, and, as far I can tell, pulled off very well.  I must admit I like the player piano stuff more, but even that in light doses.

Piston: The Incredible Flutist, Symphonies 2 and 6.  Liked these at first listen, but didn't feel a tug to go back.

Serebrier Symphony #3:  This didn't really grab me—I may be missing something.  It's on the list of ones I need to go back to.

I for one love this series, and everything Naxos does to get more of the repertoire out there. (I've also been bagging the Bax, Arnold, and Alwyn cycles.)  Since my tastes are pretty omnivorous (jazz, blues and world) , I usually can't afford to collect extra versions of the same work. 

Interesting survey; thanks. Diamond's Symphony 3 is my favourite of his series, although I love 2 and 4 also. You might like the Flagello/Rosner CD mentioned above. There is a good Copland No 3 and Bernstein No 1 "Jeremiah" in the Naxos series. Do you know ther CD with Antheil's 4th and 6th symphonies on? A winner in my view.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Two more recent discs that I think are stunning are:


It also contains the 3 Latin American Sketches and Quiet City. I do not know why the cover image doesn't list those???

and this one:



Both are splendidly played by two American bands. Those wide open intervals and crisp wind details leap out at you. The sonics are natural and spacious.

[vandermolen]

Two more recent discs that I think are stunning are:


It also contains the 3 Latin American Sketches and Quiet City. I do not know why the cover image doesn't list those???

and this one:



Both are splendidly played by two American bands. Those wide open intervals and crisp wind details leap out at you. The sonics are natural and spacious.

Yes, the disc with the Red Pony on is especially good; an imaginative programme.

[tjguitar]

Hey, ho.......do I have to add that I am-of course-in full agreement with my esteemed friend(probably now released from his Saturday 'voluntary' incarceration in his school-a building incidentally which reminds me of a cross between a Victorian lunatic asylum and the sort of Carpathian castle habituated by the villains in Hammer Horror films)

Btw I hope your no doubt illustrious Head doesn't like classical music

McKay was a composer of genuine substance. Perhaps it was because he was based in Seattle-not then as fashionable as it has later become-that he was less often heard than some of his contemporaries?

Although I bought the Naxos disc of the Epoch Symphony when it was issued a month or two back I held off playing it at first because I doubted from what I read that the piece would actually hang together. Having now listened to it now I am not sure that it does-the last movement('Machine Age Blues') is not one I would much like to listen to again. The other movements are much more to my taste however and certainly do remind me of some British composers. The 'Pastoral' movement is particularly beautiful.

Must go back and give the other works you recommend a whirl

McKay's son commnted about his father @ this review. I thought it was a fascinating read:

http://sdtom.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/epoch-an-american-dance-symphony-1935mckay/

[Dundonnell]

McKay's son commnted about his father @ this review. I thought it was a fascinating read:

http://sdtom.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/epoch-an-american-dance-symphony-1935mckay/

Interesting! Thanks for the link.

[vandermolen]

Interesting! Thanks for the link.

Thanks from me too for the interesting link. Coincidentally I listened to "Epoch" again today. The Delian slow movement is very beautiful and I'm really pleased to discover it.

[Dundonnell]

Thanks from me too for the interesting link. Coincidentally I listened to "Epoch" again today. The Delian slow movement is very beautiful and I'm really pleased to discover it.

"Delian slow movement"....? You mean that I might actually like something which can be described as "Delian"?? Good grief

[vandermolen]

"Delian slow movement"....? You mean that I might actually like something which can be described as "Delian"?? Good grief

I am no great fan of Delius but it is kind of "Delian" but so is the slow movement of Miaskovsky's 8th Symphony ('Like a melancholy Delius of the Steppes' was one rather good description I read).

[karlhenning]

[snip]

The Barber Series:  I don't have other versions to compare to, but this was certainly worth the cost.  Highlights were the Knoxville 1915 with the all important Essay #2, the Cello Concerto (a gem), and the Symphonies disc—although I must admit the reconstituted 2nd Symphony did not blow me away as much as the first. Tucked in at the end of the Violin Concerto disc was the Music for a Scene By Shelly, and that is a real powerful one.

I've got three of those discs;  love the concerti, especially.

Flagello- Symphony 1, Theme, Variations and Fugue.  I didn't immediately take to the symphony, but the Fugue at the end is one of those "power" pieces that needs to be heard real loud.

All the Flagello I've heard made a good first impression, and has worn well with better familiarity.

Hovhanness: Symphony 22 and Cello Concerto:  Based on what I read here, I need to go back and listen again.

My favorite Hovhaness disc!

Nancarrow: Pieces for Small Orchestra.  Some very interesting stuff, and, as far I can tell, pulled off very well.  I must admit I like the player piano stuff more, but even that in light doses.

This stuff is a blast, I love it!

[Dundonnell]

Have just received Joan Towers's 'Made in America' and have greatly enjoyed it; so thank you Bruce. I liked all the pieces on the CD but especially 'Made in America' which is great fun. I have made two excellent discoveries through this thread, the Flagello/Rosner CD and the Tower one. Both fortunately on Naxos, so I don't feel so guilty about buying them!

I don't know how I could have missed this cd-particularly when it had been recommended here.

What an excellent composer Joan Tower appears to be The three pieces included on the cd are all highly enjoyable, marvellously written for the orchestra and easily communicative to a wide audience. 'Made in America' is indeed a splendid piece but I was also most impressed by the Concerto for Orchestra.

And very well played by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra under Slatkin

[Joe Barron]

I don't understand why one of our omniscient moderators has not moved this thread to the recordings page ...

[karlhenning]

They're not omniscient; but they do try hard.

[bhodges]

Only Miss Mussel is omniscient. 

Anyway, your wish has been granted.  Carry on.

--Bruce

[vandermolen]

Impulse bought this double CD today. Apart from the Copland, the most interesting work on a first sampling is definitely George Frederick McKay's 'To a Liberator (A Lincoln Tribute)'.  McKay is an endearing composer, with a very recognisable style. His Lincoln tribute is all the more poignant for being understated - he uses the chorus to moving effect in a similar way to his recently released 'Epoch: An American Dance Symphony'.

[vandermolen]

Sorry, something went a bit wrong with the picture transfer 

[Sorin Eushayson]

Awww, do we have to stick to Naxos???  Most of the American composers I listen to are on other labels! 

[Guido]

Two recent purchases which I've enjoyed are Stephen Albert's Symphony No 1 "River Run" and Adolphus Hailstork's (great name!) Symphony 3. Albert, in particular, strikes me as a major discovery. Tragically he was killed in a car crash, when he was only 51 (in 1992).

Albert is a very interesting composer, and I have collected quite a few of his works. The cello concerto, his last piece, is also his greatest - in it he resolves the compositional issues which had plagued him over the years before his early death. It is a wonderful score, dramatic, lyrical, combining the new and old in a very unique way such that a truly individual voice very clearly shines through. It is unfortunately extraordinarily difficult, both for orchestra and especially the solo cellist, which I think will hamper its ability to muster the performances that it so richly deserves. The same fate befalls that greatest of American cello concertos - Barber's op.22, but here at least the situation has begun to improve over the last two decades. The Albert cello concerto was recorded by Yo-Yo Ma in the early nineties, and remains one of his finest recordings.