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Does anyone else get very emotional listening to Copland?I am listening to Fanfare right now, and I just am so excited I want to jump from my balcony!! heh. .
Not really, but it is sweeeet!!
B
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Copland is probably among my three favorite composers, the other two being Mahler and Tchaikovsky. Although Copland took a somewhat technical approach to most of his music and despised sappy performances, much of his music is quite emotional in my opinion. I have a 45 of a rehearsal with him conducting and instructing the orchestra on Appalachian Spring, and he says something along the lines of, "Don't pretty this up, don't make it over-emotional; the music itself is emotional." This yields a clue as to how he felt about much of his music. Throughout his stages of experimentation, there was always a heart involved.You mention Fanfare to the Common Man, and while independently that piece doesn't do much for me, when heard within the Third Symphony, it is incredibly moving. The Third is THE Great American Symphony, and the quotation of the Fanfare, along with the anvil, is brilliant. Copland's Short and Dance Symphonies from his early period are filled with passages of emotion as well.
Copland's few film scores also contain genuine emotion. Our Town and the Red Pony are the best examples with their similar themes of youth's quest for discovery. Copland captured these works perfectly.
Lest we forget Appalachian Spring which is so cool in its execution yet so warm in its presentation. Truly, it must be one of the enduring, definitive pieces of 20th century music. If one isn't moved by it, he is probably dead.
Your descriptions make me want to go and buy them, but which version do you recommend?
Conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra.I've listened to the Bernstein version, and while it's better-played by the orchestra, the nuances of the Copland performance are glossed over- To me it sounds more like a virtuosic exercise. I heard another performance of the symphony, with the Minnesota Orchestra (conductor escapes me), where the playing is closer to the Bernstein performance, but the interpretation at least comes closer to the that of the composer. (At least in the final movement- I did not hear the rest of the Minnesota performance.)
You're probably refering to the Oue performance with Minnesota on Reference Recordings. Oue, I believe, studied under Bernstein, so that would explain the perceived similarity. Personally, I don't care much for Oue's performance, but perhaps it's Minnesota.
I have the 1967 Bernstein/E. Power Biggs/NY Phil recording, and it is terrific. Very moving, especially the fanfare.
I agree with Justin: The fanfare has much more emotional impact as part of the symphony than it does alone.
By the way, this performance is available on SONY for a bargain price.
I heard Slatkin and the National Symphony Orchestra perform the 3rd last year in Seattle. It was a tremendous performance, a close second to the '67 Bernstein IMHO.
Hi, I'd recommend the recording by Leonard Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic. It's paired with Harris' 3rd symphony, another 'great american symphony' (so they say, I'm not fussed...)
I have this one on vinyl, on the CBS classics label, I'm not sure if it's been released on CD? Having played Copland 3 with an orchestra, I can happily say that it is an amazing piece, but with a tough 1st bassoon part! :D
HTH
Andrew
Performance wise, Bernstein is the greatest Copland interpreter we've seen or will ever see. Not even Copland himself could do what Bernstein did. The best recording of the Third is from the '60s on Sony with Bernstein and the New York Phil. I'm hoping Sony will release this on SACD. This is the definitive performance.
An early '80s recording with Bernstein and the New York Phil on DG is a close second, but lacks some of the magic of the earlier recording.Sonically, I like the Chandos recording with Jarvi and the Detroit Symphony the best. It was on the Absolute Sound's list until (wrongly, IMO) replaced by the Reference Recording with Oue and Minnesota. The Chandos recording sounds much more natural than the Reference Recording which lacks the separation of the Chandos recording. Also, the Reference Recording is too forward with far too prominent bass. I also like Jarvi's and Detroit's performance over Oue's and Minnesota's.
Of the current conductors, Tilson Thomas and Slatkin are at the top of the heap with Copland, although I can't say I'm overly fond of Slatkin's Third on RCA, and I haven't heard Tilson Thomas' recording.
In short (too late), I'd start with the Sony Bernstein recording. It's paired with Copland's Organ (1st) Symphony.
dmlsfdj
I love all sorts of music. I enjoy the insights from those who prefer classical. It gives me the opportunity to go purchase CDs I would normally pass on.My major interest is jazz, but I am all for greater input from the classical corner.
Dave
Lately this section has been mostly been bombarded with rock me thinks classical should have there own section!
I agree! Bring back Classical Court!
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