Search - William T. Stromberg, Ferde Grofe, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra :: Grofé: Orchestral Works

American program music

F. Behrens | Keene, NH USA | 09/26/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"From my favorite budget label, Naxos, comes a rare combination of three suites by Ferde Grofé: Grand Canyon, Mississippi, and Niagra Falls (8.559007). The first two have been paired in the past, but I have never heard the third (it is a 1961 work) and it seems by contrast with the others somewhat contrived, albeit quite enjoyable. William T. Stromberg conducts the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Frankly I have heard "The Grand Canyon" played to better advantage, especially on the old Mercury label; but the trilogy on this single CD with the budget price makes this a very good buy indeed."

Programmatic music at its finest!

burghtenor | Washington, DC | 01/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ferde Grofé's mastery of the orchestral palette is breathtaking. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his seminal work, the GRAND CANYON SUITE. This work portrays 24 hours of contrasting moods in America's most famous natural habitat, from the stillness of morning in "The Painted Desert" to the thunder of a rare nighttime "Cloudburst." No matter what time of day, you may feel as if the sky is brighter after listening to "Sunrise." One can sense the demeanor of the donkey forced to make the journey "On the Trail." I always feel the regret of another day passing during "Sunset."The other two orchestral suites on this CD are also great, but they simply do not compare to the majesty of the GRAND CANYON. The MISSISSIPPI SUITE is a short four-movement exploration of Americana along the great river. The NIAGARA FALLS SUITE is overwhelming in its portrayal of the power of the Falls, enhanced by the quiet sections of the inner movements.Like me, you may be a bit leery of purchasing a CD from a budget label featuring artists and ensembles of whom you've never heard. Rest assured, this CD is a bargain that you will not regret purchasing. I have never been disappointed with a NAXOS CD, and both the Bournemouth Symphony and William T. Stromberg are excellent. Stromberg, a native Californian and only 34 years old at the time of this recording, lends a sensitivity to the quiet passages and incredible zest and energy to the dynamic passages, most notably to the NIAGARA FALLS SUITE."

Majestic!

Chrijeff | Scranton, PA | 10/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Probably everyone with any familiarity with American classical composers has heard at least some of the "Grand Canyon Suite" at some point, but the other two suites on this CD (the "Mississippi" and the "Niagara Falls") may not be quite so familiar. They should be, and this version is a splendid (and inexpensive) way to own them. I bought the CD chiefly because I had heard of the "Mississippi" and wanted to find out what it was like. It is a fine piece of music, with much of the rolling expansiveness of the Big River captured in it. And the "Niagara Falls" ranges from Native motifs that will be familiar to all TV-Western buffs, to the Gershwinesque. Of course, there's no need to describe the centerpiece. I've always loved the kind of music that lifts you out of your seat, and all these pieces do.If this is a typical Naxos product, I'm sure I'll be adding a lot more of them to my collection."