Monday, August 6, 2007

EARLY ORCHESTRAL WORKS (1922-1935)

This is an excellent collection of Aaron Copland’s early orchestral works, written when the composer was in his twenties and mid-thirties. These pieces have not achieved the notoriety of Mr. Copland’s later “populist” compositions and contain more modernist devices. Some of these feature jazz elements (such as the Piano Concerto, Music for the Theater and the Dance Symphony, which was drawn from materials composed for the “Grogh” ballet). Despite the complexity of these selections, the music is both exhilarating and interesting, albeit challenging. Repeat listenings are required if one wishes to fully appreciate these compositions.

Of the eight works, three are conducted by Leonard Bernstein, who is often considered the definitive interpreter of Copland’s music. The rest are under the direction of the composer himself.

Disc: 1

Dance Symphony (1922-1925)
1. I. Introduction: Lento; Molto allegro; Adagio molto 7:02
2. II. Andante moderato 6:03
3. III. Allegro vivo 4:56

London Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Aaron Copland
Recorded at Walthamstow Town Hall, London UK on October 2&3, 1967

Two Pieces For String Orchestra (1923, 1928)
4. Lento molto 5:42
5. Rondino 4:23

London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Aaron Copland
Recorded at Walthamstow Town Hall, London UK on November 6, 1965

Symphony For Organ & Orchestra (1924)
6.: I. Prelude: Andante 6/8 5:54
7. II. Scherzo: Allegro molto 3/4; Moderato 4- 7:30
8. III. Finale: Lento; Allegro moderato 4/4 11:00

New York Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstein
E. Power Biggs, organ
Recorded at Philharmonic Hall (Avery Fisher Hall), New York City, NY USA on January 3, 1967

Music For The Theatre (1925)
9.: I. Prologue 5:46
10. II. Dance 3:13
11. III. Interlude 5:19
12. IV. Burlesque 3:13
13. V. Epilogue 3:51

New York Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstein
Recorded at the St. George Hotel, Brooklyn, New York USA on December 15, 1958

Disc: 2

Concerto For Piano & Orchestra (1926)
1. I. Andante sostenuto 6:50
2. II. Molto moderato (molto rubato) 9:18

New York Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstein
Aaron Copland, piano
Recorded at Philharmonic Hall (Avery Fisher Hall), New York City, NY USA on January 13, 1964

Symphonic Ode (1927-1929)
3. Symphonic Ode 19:47

London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Aaron Copland
Recorded at Walthamstow Town Hall, London UK on October 2&3, 1967

Short Symphony (Symphony No. 2) (1931-1933)
4. Short Symphony (Symphony No. 2) 15:30

Statements (1934-1935)
5 I. Militant 2:44
6. II. Cryptic 3:21
7. III. Dogmatic 1:47
8. IV. Subjective 3:31
9. V. Jingo 2:33
10. VI. Prophetic 3:34

London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Aaron Copland
Recorded at Walthamstow Town Hall, London UK on November 5, 1965


29 comments:

Scoredaddy said...

http://rapidshare.com/files/46858106/AC-EOW.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/46861615/AC-EOW.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/46865227/AC-EOW.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/46854275/AC-EOW.part4.rar

Scoredaddy said...

If you download, PLEASE leave a comment!!

Anonymous said...

THANKS FOR THIS GREAT MUSIC.

omega said...

Also thanks from me.

Anonymous said...

I have never heard these before. Thanks for positing this. Good luck on your new blog!

Unknown said...

I have these CDs at home, and love them! I decided to get the complete collection, and have been very happy with my purchases. I hope everyone has the same enjoyment, and look forward to seeing what you have to give from Aaron Copland (one of my favorite composers of all time).

Anonymous said...

I'll savour all your postings!

Can I leave a download wish: Copland conducting himself in Lincoln Portrait with Henry Fonda and Appalachian Spring?

They constitute a mainstay in my classical world.

Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Scoredaddy, great blog!

mike from maine said...

Scoredaddy, Just found your Copland blog - many thanks for the shares!

Anonymous said...

love aaron copland

thank u so much!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much! I'm reading The Rest is Noise, and have been catching up on Copland lately... By the way, if you haven't picked up that book (by Alex Ross), get it immediately, it's a great read!!

Anonymous said...

Scoredaddy,

Love your site, and these especially. Hope i can find one or two to reciprocate.

YoDoc

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH FROM SPAIN

Anonymous said...

Hi!
Excellent blog! Thank you for this wonderful posts. Please, keep it alive!
Cheers

Fernando Calábria said...

Realmente um blog merecedor de muitas visitas, obrigado pela grandiosa coleção

ryankrause said...

This is great keep it coming. Love www.therestisnoise.com as well, anonymous.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much from Italy

Anonymous said...

querido Score adoro a Aaron Copland y te doy las gracias from Spain.

Salud !!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this blog. I have been finding it hard to purchase releases of Copland music, Aus is a bit of a backwater at times. It's great to have disc titles to search for on sites like Amazon.

Diego said...

Excellent the material that you make available, I value your time and availability to share refinings so pleasures. Hug and greetings from the Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Anonymous said...

Thanks! I'd been looking for a good copy of Copland's Symphony for Organ & Orchestra for forever!

Anonymous said...

Many thanks for this excellent blog!

Anonymous said...

thanks so much

makropulos said...

Thanks for this!

Anonymous said...

thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you. Nice share.

Anonymous said...

thanks.

Unknown said...

Thanks awfully, on can never have enough Copland......

Eric said...

Thank you for all the great music