Rainbow Body / Blue Cathedral / Symphony 1 / Appalachian Spring Suite

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
lanking two major works from an earlier generation of American composers are two shorter ones by contemporaries whose command of orchestral textures and hues make for a stimulating program. Christopher Theofanidis' Rainbow Body opens quietly, and builds to a shattering brass-and-percussion-led close, fully exploiting the rich colors of Atlanta's crack orchestra. Jennifer Higdon's Blue Cathedral, which closes the disc, is a finely textured exploration that, in her words, represents an imaginary journey "through a glass cathedral in the sky." It has a soaring quality that captivates, and while not as melodic as Theofanidis' piece, is as compelling in its own way. Spano excels in the Barber and Copland works too; the Barber Symphony No. 1, played with coiled energy, the Copland Suite from Appalachian Spring, full of atmosphere and momentum. Both are among the best available. This brilliantly engineered disc is a winner. --Dan Davis

Rainbow Body / Blue Cathedral / Symphony 1 / Appalachian Spring Suite, Music, Christopher Theofanidis, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Jennifer Higdon, Robert Spano, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 20th/21st Century Symphony, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Orchestral, Orchestral & Symphonic, Orchestral Music, Suite for Orchestra, Symphonic

Rainbow Body / Blue Cathedral / Symphony 1 / Appalachian Spring Suite
Average customer rating:

blue catherdral

Surprisingly Sloppy

Awesome

OK, but not great.

Very pretty, somewhat boring

Rainbow Body / Blue Cathedral / Symphony 1 / Appalachian Spring Suite
Christopher Theofanidis , Samuel Barber , Aaron Copland , Jennifer Higdon , Robert Spano , and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Higdon: City Scape / Concerto for Orchestra

Del Tredici: Paul Revere's Ride; Theofanidis: The Here and Now; Bernstein: Lamentation

Music of Chris Theofanidis

Osvaldo Golijov: Ainadamar

John Adams: The Dharma at Big Sur/My Father Knew Charles Ives

ASIN: B000096FU3
Release Date: 2003-05-27

Tracks:

Rainbow Body
Symphony No.1, Op.9
Suite From Appalachian Spring
Blue Cathedral

Amazon.com

lanking two major works from an earlier generation of American composers are two shorter ones by contemporaries whose command of orchestral textures and hues make for a stimulating program. Christopher Theofanidis' Rainbow Body opens quietly, and builds to a shattering brass-and-percussion-led close, fully exploiting the rich colors of Atlanta's crack orchestra. Jennifer Higdon's Blue Cathedral, which closes the disc, is a finely textured exploration that, in her words, represents an imaginary journey "through a glass cathedral in the sky." It has a soaring quality that captivates, and while not as melodic as Theofanidis' piece, is as compelling in its own way. Spano excels in the Barber and Copland works too; the Barber Symphony No. 1, played with coiled energy, the Copland Suite from Appalachian Spring, full of atmosphere and momentum. Both are among the best available. This brilliantly engineered disc is a winner. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

blue catherdral.......2005-09-06

This is beautiful music and well performed. I purchased it to have a copy of Blue Cathedral, which is an extraordinary piece of contemporary music. My only criticism of the CD is technical in that some places on the CD do not pick up the audio well. This is only for a few bars and does not diminish the fact that the CD is a winner.

Surprisingly Sloppy.......2005-06-30

I won't comment too much on the new pieces here, but the performance of the Barber Symphony is surprisingly sloppy. The wind playing is really quite bad - check out the cracks in the bassoon and clarinet in their solos in the fugue or the intonation of the famous oboe solo. I'm frankly surprised that Spano put up with this type of execution. For a truly gorgeous rendition of the oboe solo, try Alsop's Naxos disc of this symphony. While the "big" moments sound good, with prominent brass, healthy and in tune strings, it's during the quieter moments that the "cracks" show, especially upon repeated listening. The Higdon piece has wonderful moments, and I like her music in general but must say this isn't the most impressive piece from her I've heard. The Theofanidis is simple and, if you like music that avoids counterpoint or harmonic motion, beautiful. I find that it doesn't reveal a whole lot of new facets on repeated listenings.

Awesome.......2005-03-15

Every once in a while, after sorting through the seemingly endless piles of contemporary American composers, you find a new composer that restores your faith in American music, which often seems to be a lost cause.

This cd is one of those. Theofanidis comes forth as a brand new, amazingly talented composer whose music is simply breathtaking. Rainbow Body is a true masterpiece. Beginning in the low registers with a bass clarinet and cello solo, Thoefanidis moves into the violas and then up into the violins and upper registers of the orchestra. Theofanidis finds the PERFECT balance between modern and romantic styles, masterfully transitioning between sublime chord structure to more contemporary polyrhythmic styles (trombone soli section with bongos). He eventually works up to a powerful, blissful climax and ends the piece. Although just over 10 minutes long, this piece alone is worth buysing the cd over.

But you also get old favorites, Copland's beautiful Appalachian Spring Suite, Barber's powerful 1st symphony, and, although it wasn't my favoite, a new piece, Higdon's Blue Cathedral.

To summarize, buy it now while you have the money. Or get it from a merchant (like me) where it is much cheaper.

OK, but not great........2005-01-05

An OK but not great CD. If I had a choice, I'd rather have my $17.98.

Very pretty, somewhat boring.......2004-12-01

This recording of the new works by Theofanidis and Higdon is first rate. Great performances, and nice to hear along side the Copland, which stands out as the real masterpiece. Mind you, Theofanidis and Higdon are obviously really talented composers.

I like new music. I like beautiful music. And I don't usually mind if the new music I hear is beautiful or ugly, has a tune, or not. What matters is that I am pulled in, and not lulled in with cliches or pandering.

The Theofanidis seemed to be much more interesting to listen to than the Higdon. His sense of orchestral color is very strong. But overall, their music is very pretty, and somewhat boring. Get this to hear that great Copland: it is the piece that on this CD that pulls you in to listen. I know this piece is not the new piece on the CD, but it really stands the test of time against the more recent works.

Average customer rating:

A must listen

Rainbow Body [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Jennifer Higdon: City Scape; Concerto for Orchestra [Hybrid SACD]
Orff: Carmina Burana [Hybrid SACD]
Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony
Richard Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Ein Heldenleben [Hybrid SACD]
Shostakovich: Jazz Suites Nos. 1 & 2 [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B00009OOQ2
Release Date: 2003-05-16

Customer Reviews:

A must listen.......2003-08-05

Jennifer Higdon's "blue cathedral" and the Theofanidis work what gives this disc its title are both "about" cathedrals and mystical/philosophical experiences. They are undeniably fine pieces and are both interesting and attractive in their own right, but I can't say that they're masterpieces or will bear too much repeat listening. Both are just a little too predictably and self consciously "impressive".

The Barber and Copeland are a different kettle of fish. Both are terrific works, if not necessarily masterpieces, which have deservedly held their place in the repertoire, and both are given absolutely stunning, superlative performances. I can't remember when i've ever heard a better performance of the Barber
from anyone, - impassioned, youthful, romantic, powerful.

And the Apalachian spring is every bit as good, - Spano's fine orchestra is tight and clear, affectionate without being sentimental. Whilst I only know a few "Spring" performances, this is easily the best and for sound is up there with the splendid Dallas recording on Dorian.

Indeed, the sound overall is marvellous,- clear, precise and powerful. My ears detected slight and short-lived congestion in the Higdon and Theofinidis pieces, but absolutely none in the Barber and Copeland. The soundstage is beautifully broad in SACD stereo and my guess is would suit speakers taking a "height" channel very well.

So, pretty much spectacular sound, some impressive new pieces and two superlative performances of the main works. Recommended.

Music Review: