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Disc 1:- Andante sostenuto
- Molto moderato; Allegro assai
- Incisivo
- Espressivo
- Presto e ritmico
Disc 2:- Buckaroo Holiday
- Corral Nocturne
- Saturday Night Waltz
- Hoe Down
Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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I really appreciated the background
I really enjoyed this set. I'm the kind of geek that always wants as much background knowledge as possible as it really enhances my enjoyment and understand of an artistic piece. (I love liner notes, editorial comments and dvd extras!) So with this in mind, I was happy to see all of the "discussion" tracks listed on the CDs and really enjoyed listening to the commentary about the composer and the compositions and then hearing the excerpts of pieces that had been discussed. (Although I understand that for someone who knows all of this might prefer to purchase just the individual works without the commentary disks).
For me, the other disks in the set that are music only were all the more enjoyable because of the discussion. I can't say that I'm a huge fan of the modernist works, but at least I understand them better because of the commentary and I'm glad I hear it. But as a fan of Copeland, it was a change to really understand his work better and all the better that it was told by MTT, a man who actually knew him.
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Aaron Copland: The Essence of America Box Set
Two of the CD's have interviews with conductors and other musicians. I didn't like that I was listening to music one minute and a lecture the next. I felt that should have been explained in the description of the product.
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The Music is Beautiful, but the Extras are Priceless
Michael Tilson Thomas has long been known to have had a happy and fruitful relationship with the great Aaron Copland. His intimate knowledge of Copland's music and heart are evident in these recordings. The second symphony and the Appalachian Ballet(! as opposed to suite, which leaves out a very gorgeous, mysterious movement) are gorgeously rendered, as is the inimitable Fanfare for the Common Man. Billy the Kid is always a delight, of course. The Orchestral Variations are so invigoratingly different from what most people think of when they think of Copland, and this rendering is lively and precise. If I had one complaint, and it is a small one, it would be that I had a hard time with this interpretation of Rodeo, which didn't seem to find it's rhythm and gallop the way I'm used to. Still good, but I've heard better.
But for me, an aspiring composer, the thing that puts this set over the top is the absolutely delightful commentary on the contents of the set by MTT. Not only do you get to hear a wonderful history lesson, but MTT obviously has a light, joyous love of music, and particularly that of Copland, that is infectious and inspiring. After hearing the commentary, I found myself much more deeply involved in the second listening of the set. I must disagree with the reviewer who compared MTT with Bernstein, not that one has more "quality" than the other, but that such a comparison has any merit or point in the first place. They are two very different people. MTT's commentary makes this set a must-have for Music lovers and especially for Copland aficionados.
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It's not Bernstein and never will be
Tilson Thomas flirted briefly with trying to be the next Bernstein but luckily has gone his own way. He is not a fiery or driven conductor--one can't say of him that he is possessed by music, a phrase Bernstien used about himself. In these Copland recordings he certainly conducts well, but the spirit of Copland seems lost among the careful detailing. This should be simple music to conduct but somehow only Bernstein catches the rollicking joy, the democratic dance rhythms, and the underlying sophistication at the same time. These readings strike me as too sophisticated by half, although they are in great sound.