American Classics - Copland: The Tender Land Suite, Piano Concerto, etc / Pasternack, Hanson, Elgin SO, et al

Label: Naxos (USA)
Catalog No: NXS 8559297
New Release: No
Previous Release: No
Domestic/Import: Domestic
Format: CD

List Price: $8.99    Your Price: $7.99

Release Date: 2008-05-27
Number of Discs: 1
Running time: 1 hr. 4 min.
UPC Code: 636943929728

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Remarks:

Aaron Copland's little-known opera 'The Tender Land' takes place on a farm in the American South during the Depression. The composer later wrote, "I was trying to give young American singers material that they do not often get in the opera house... The result was closer to musical comedy than grand opera." The suite that Copland extracted from 'The Tender Land' is in three movements, with the second and third linked without pause. The 1926 'Piano Concerto', like Gershwin's Concerto of the previous year, is a 1920s "New York" piece - brassy, exuberant, ever confident in its bluesy swagger. Copland composed two sets of 'Old American Songs', originally for voice and piano but heard here transcribed for chorus and orchestra.
 



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"Come join us in signing the praises of Zion"
I know the "Old American Songs" were originally set for solo voice, and I have recordings of Copland accompanying Warfield (the original soloist), and conducting the orchestral version. But I first learned these pieces as a member of a chorus, singing them, so that's my favorite arrangement, though the least common. On this disc, the St James Singers are terrific: the first time I played it, I couldn't believe the speed at which they perform "Ching-a-Ring Chaw." The famous "Simple Gifts" is here, and "By the River"; I really like the ballad "Long Time Ago," too. Just the songs would have been worth the modest cost of this recording, but it also includes an orchestral suite from the opera 'The Tender Land' (with the tune of "Zion's Walls" again) and the rather strange piano concerto (well-played, just not my cuppa).

Submitted on 12/20/09 by Jim D. 
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Copland, Aaron : The Tender Land

  • Conductor: Robert Hanson
  • Ensemble: Elgin Symphony Orchestra
  • Notes: Blizzard Theatre at the Arts Center, Elgin Community College, IL (05/08/2007/05/09/2007)
  • Running Time: 20 min. 1 sec.
  • Period Time: Modern
  • Written: 1957


Copland, Aaron : Concerto for Piano

  • Performer: Benjamin Pasternack (Piano)
  • Conductor: Robert Hanson
  • Ensemble: Elgin Symphony Orchestra
  • Notes: Blizzard Theatre at the Arts Center, Elgin Community College, IL (05/08/2007/05/09/2007)
  • Running Time: 16 min. 59 sec.
  • Period Time: Modern
  • Form: Concerto
  • Written: 1926


Copland, Aaron : Old American Songs, Set 1

  • Performer: Nathaniel Stampley
  • Conductor: Robert Hanson
  • Ensemble: St. Charles Singers
  • Notes: Blizzard Theatre at the Arts Center, Elgin Community College, IL (05/08/2007/05/09/2007)
  • Running Time: 12 min. 2 sec.
  • Period Time: Modern
  • Form: Vocal
  • Written: 1950


Copland, Aaron : Old American Songs, for voice & piano, Book 2

  • Performers: Nathaniel Stampley; Jeffrey Hunt
  • Conductor: Robert Hanson
  • Ensemble: St. Charles Singers
  • Notes: Blizzard Theatre at the Arts Center, Elgin Community College, IL (05/08/2007/05/09/2007)
  • Running Time: 12 min. 30 sec.
  • Period Time: Modern
  • Form: Vocal
  • Written: 1952


 

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