Search - Leonard Bernstein, Roy Harris, Aaron Copland :: An American Panorama

Excellent sound but unemotional playing

Jason Amsden | Boston, MA United States | 04/05/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The recorded sound on this CD is so good, you almost don't notice the lack of emotion in the playing.Bernstein's On the Waterfront suite has the most emotion, especially in the trumpet solo midway through the peice. Unfortunately, the music is extremely repetitive and gets boring.The Harris symphony seems good untill you listen to it played by Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic (DG #419780). Dallas has better sound, but New York has better playing.Billy the Kid has some very exciting moments including the end of the introduction and the finale of the peice. The trumpet solos in this peice are very dissapointing. The player (different than in the Bernstein) only does half a job. He plays all the right notes but does nothing with them. Also, the playing is a little "straight." The dance sections have no "lilt." I prefer the recording with Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony (Delos #3104). The trumpet solos are much better and the dances have the required "lilt.""

Wonderful!

02/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These 3 pieces conducted by Mata have wonderful sound, great dynamics and appropriate timing. Comparing Harris's 3rd to the version conducted by Bernstein; Mata maintains better timing throughout and especially in the slow sections. Bernstein seems to rush through the piece, never adjusting the pace or dynamics. (Not to mention, it sounds in one section like someone fell down the stairs backstage... a lot of extra noise in the Bernstein recording.)
One of the best "On the Waterfront's" I've heard and you cannot deny the southwestern flare that the Dallas orchestra captures on "Billy The Kid" by Copeland... Bernstein and the New York boys can play the notes, but don't seem to quite snare the feeling of Copeland that Mata does.
One of my Favorites!"