Search - William Warfield, Aaron Copland, André Kostelanetz :: A Copland Celebration Vol. 2

Terrific vocal talents for Copland's music

Neal C. Reynolds | Indianapolis, Indiana | 08/07/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This second Copland collection focuses on unique talents of veteran performers. William Warfield lends his voice and his interpretations of Copland's Old American Songs, and he sings them as they were meant to be, not as classical diletantes felt they should be. You have authenticity here. Martha Lipton likewise contributes an older world charm and charisma to Copland's settings for Emily Dickenson's words. Carl Sandberg's resonant reading of his own words is worth the full price of this set. And then the inimitable Oscar Levant's piano treatment of the orchestral pieces...Levant had a wry touch to his interpretations that gave him a voice all his own. There's much more here, quite a bit that's less than familiar and therefore increases one's familiarity with Copland."

Finally sandburg's lincoln portrait

Captain Nemo | Massachusetts | 08/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For all those like myself who have waited a decade for "A Lincoln Portrait" with Carl Sandburg's narration on CD, here it is finally! Sandburg's heartfelt reading of Lincoln's words is easily the most inspired and inspiring of the legions of others whose voices have been recorded. The orchestration by Kostelanetz also vastly surpasses others. Compare Henry Fonda's reading for example to see a poorly mixed tape where the narrator's voice is overwhelmed by the orchestra."

Wow! Pretty Good Deal

Cory | Virginia | 03/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was surprised to find two CDs of such quality being sold for the price of one. It also contained many hard to find Copland works.Vitebsk is exciting. Strings do much of the work here. The music is very unique to any other Copland works. Definitely here a sample of this.The Sextet is very interesting. The combination of strings and piano is a prefect balance along with the clarinet doing much of the harmony. It is the same song though as Copland's 2nd symphony, the 'short' one.Duo for Flute and Piano is fun and happy. The 1st movement fluctuates quite a bit in the feeling but is a very nice combination. The second movement is slightly morbid but the feeling of happy hi ho is not lost. The 3rd movement is light and bouncy and can be described as typical Copland. Lincoln Portrait is powerful. Though I don't see how it fits on this CD has a rarity or a chamber work. It is the besy Lincoln P. I've ever heard though. Old American Songs and Poems of Emily Dickinson are not that good though. It's a vocalist and a piano accompanyingthe vocalist. The vocalists are not that good and I felt needed to feel the music a little more. Thomas Hampson and Dawn Upshaw made a CD with these songs which is much better (the only problem is that that CD only has 8 of the 12 Emily Dickinson Songs).Billy the Kid was a nice way to finish off. It's just a few excerpts played on solo piano. It was interesting hearing the piece performed this way.The recording quality is okay sometimes and kinda slipping other times. Then again, these are classic recordings for the most part. The skill though of the orchestra and soloists for the most part is that of a high quality. I definitely recommend this CD to any Copland fans out there trying to discover more about Copland. It's a very nicely put together CD and price worthy too."