Tuesday, December 2, 2008

EDUARDO MATA, DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: SYMPHONY NO. 3/DANZON CUBANO/EL SALON MEXICO

Eduardo Mata's splendid recordings of Aaron Copland's Symphony No. 3, Danzón Cubano, and El Salón México with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra are perennials in EMI's catalog, deservedly so for their remarkable energy, splendid orchestral color, sympathetic interpretations, and wide dynamic range. Mata's renderings of Copland's music -- whether brusque and angular, or smooth and serene -- feel natural, authentic, idiomatic, and as hardy as Leonard Bernstein's popular performances or Copland's own authoritative readings. Since fans still have their pick of their legendary versions on Sony, there is little reason to argue that Mata's recordings are in any way superior. However, they are perhaps equivalent in value, balancing both Bernstein's rawness and Copland's softer touch, and yet never sounding derivative or false. In a blindfold test, it might be difficult to distinguish Mata's recordings from either, so faithful is he to the scores and to their brash spirit.


Symphony No. 3 (1944-1946)
1. Molto moderato, with simple expression 11:00
2. Allegro molto 8:07
3. Andantino quasi allegretto 8:52
4. Molto deliberato 13:10

5. Danzon Cubano (1944) 7:50

6. El Salon Mexico (1933-1936) 10:45

Dallas Symphony Orchestra conducted by Eduardo Mata
Recorded at Cliff Temple Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas USA on May 13-14, 1986

7 comments:

Scoredaddy said...

FLACS+CUE+LOG+SCANS@300DPI
http://rapidshare.com/files/169354155/cpld-mata.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/169365508/cpld-mata.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/169341325/cpld-mata.part3.rar

Mr. Phaedaux said...

Thank you so much. Great blog.

Anonymous said...

I just posted Lalo Schifrin's 'New Fantasy' featuring an arrangement of 'El Salon Mexico' which turns out to be my favourite track on the album.
It made me curious to hear an orchestra version of this apparently popular track (i have VERY little knowledge in all things classical).

Thanks a lot for the possiblity to broaden my musical horizon again!

DS said...

Great version by the DSO and the late Eduardo Mata. El Salón México is probably my most favorite piece by Copland.

Anonymous said...

For your consideration.

mbrockin said...

If your still around can you possibly re-upload the links for this disc. Ive lost my copy of the disc and have fond memories of the performances. Many thanks for this and all your efforts.

Noah Burke said...

Thiis is awesome