Search - Aaron Copland :: Copland: Billy The Kid; Third Symphony

Great Copland by Copland

L. Johan Modée | Earth | 08/13/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is nice to have these classic Everest 1959 recordings back in the catalogue in a fresh edition: Aaron Copland (the best US composer together with Barber and Ives, in my view) conducting his own works in superb analogue stereo sound.



The main attraction is Copland's third symphony, which must be considered as his best work together with "Appalachian Spring". "Billy the Kid" is a ballet suite, which also is a stunning work but of less musical weight. Copland conducts London Symphony Orchestra, which was a great orchestra in those days.



The symphony is a beautiful, moving, lyrical work with the typical Copland soundscapes with slowly developing themes and sudden interruptions with new contrasting material. His grandiose "Fanfare for the Common Man" is worked into the climax of the finale - a cliché, in some people's view, but it works excellent here.



The obvious reference recordings for the third symphony are of course Bernstein's: Copland: Symphony No. 3 - Symphony for Organ & Orchestra and Copland: Symphony No. 3; Quiet City. Even if these are excellent, I think that the composer's own, classic interpretation must be seen as the first choice."