A COPLAND CELEBRATION, VOLUME TWO

We follow here with an essential collection featuring many of Aaron Copland's most important chamber and vocal works. Also present is one of the most famous (and some think best) interpretations of Copland's landmark LINCOLN PORTRAIT with an interesting turn on the narration by poet Carl Sandburg. His approach is unique and is radically different from any performance I've heard elsewhere. The orchestra is directed by Andre Kostelanetz, who had originally commissioned the work from Copland and conducted its debut performance in 1942.

Both sets of OLD AMERICAN SONGS are sung on this recording by William Warfield, who gave the U.S. premier performances with Copland on the piano as well. These were later set by Copland for voice and orchestra. TWELEVE POEMS OF EMILY DICKENSON is Copland's major contribution to setting poetry to music, a brilliant song cycle and his most significant vocal work. This is Copland's early recording of the work with mezzo-soprano Martha Lipton. He later rerecorded the cycle with Adele Addison.

The chamber pieces are facinating, especially his early VITEBSK for piano, cello, and violin. All are quite modern in feeling, marked by spiky motifs and complex rhythmic structures. The collection closes with Oscar Levant at the piano with some excerpts from BILLY THE KID, as arranged for solo piano by composer Lukas Foss.

DISC 1

1. Vitebsk, Study On A Jewish Theme (1929)

Aaron Copland (piano)
Earl Carlyss (violin)
Claus Adam (cello)
Recorded at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio, New York City, NY on October 28, 1966


Sextet For Clarinet, Piano And String Quartet (1937)
2. I. Allegro vivace
3. II. Lento
4. III. Finale

Aaron Copland (piano)
Harold Wright (clarinet)
Julliard String Quartet:
Robert Mann (violin)
Raphael Hiller (viola)
Earl Carlyss (violin)
Claus Adam (cello)
Recorded at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio, New York City, NY on October 27, 1966


Piano Quartet (1950)
5. I. Adagio serio
6. II. Allegro giusto
7. III. Non troppo lento

Aaron Copland (piano)
Robert Mann (violin)
Raphael Hiller (viola)
Claus Adam (cello)
Recorded at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio, New York City, NY on October 28, 1966


Duo For Flute And Piano (1970-71)
8. I. Flowing
9. II. Poetic, Somewhat Mournful
10. III. Lively, With Bounce

Aaron Copland (piano)
Elaine Shaffer (flute)
Recorded at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio on December 11&14, 1972


DISC 2

1. Lincoln Portrait (1942)

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andre Kostelanetz.
Carl Sandburg (narrator)
Recorded in New York City, NY on March 16, 1958


Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson (1949-50)
2. I. Nature, The Greatest Mother
3. II. There Came A Wind Like A Bugle
4. III. Why Do They Shut Me Out Of Heaven?
5. The World Feels Dusty
6. V. Heart, We Will Forget Him
7. VI. Dear March, Come In!
8. VII. Sleep Is Supposed To Be
9. VIII. When They Come Back
10. IX. I Felt A Funeral In My Brain
11. X. I've Heard An Organ Talk Sometimes
12. XI. Going To Heaven!
13. XII. The Chariot

Martha Lipton (voice)
Aaron Copland (piano)
Recorded at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio, New York City, NY on December 22, 1950 and April 4, 1952


Old American Songs -Set 1 (1950)
14. The Boatmen's Dance (Minstrel Song, 1843)
15. The Dodger (Campaign Song)
16. Long Time Ago
17. Simple Gifts (Shaker Song)
18. I Bought Me A Cat

Old American Songs -Set 2 (1952)
19. The Little Horses (Lullaby)
20. Zion's Walls (Revivalist Song)
21. The Golden Willow Tree
22. At The River (Hymn Tune)
23. Ching-A-Ring Chaw (Minstrel Song)

William Warfield (voice)
Aaron Copland (piano)
Recorded at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio, New York City, NY on August 16, 1951 (Set 1) and August 18, 1953 (Set 2)


Billy The Kid 1938)
24. I. The Open Prairie
25. II. Street In A Frontier Town
26. V. Celebration Dance (After Billy's Capture)

Oscar Levant (piano)
Recorded at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio, New York City, NY on September 1, 1949