Aaron Copland: The Young Pioneers (The Complete Music for Solo Piano)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Most of this set was recorded for LP in 1978, but Leo Smit returned to the studios in 1993 to add some recently discovered short pieces. Smit, a friend of Copland and a composer himself, plays all of Copland's piano music with great comprehension. He sustains the flow throughout the difficult half-hour Piano Fantasy, though he doesn't create as much excitement in the Piano Variations as the composer did in 1935 on 78s (now on Pearl GEMM CD 9279). Much of Copland's piano music is occasional works or pieces for students, but the major works in the set make it well worth hearing. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Scherzo Humoristique: The Cat and the Mouse (1920)
Piano Variations (1930)
In Evening Air (1966)
Passacaglia (1922)
Piano Sonata (1939-1941): I. Molto moderato
Piano Sonata (1939-1941): II. Vivace
Piano Sonata (1939-1941): III. Andante sostenuto
Midday Thoughts (1944-1982)]
Proclamation (1973-1982)
Three Moods (1920-21): 1. embittered (November 14, 1920)
Three Moods (1920-21): 2. wistful (January 8, 1921)
Three Moods (1920-21): 3. jazzy (July 1921)

Tracks:

Petit Portrait (1921)
Sentimental Melody (1926)
Piano Fantasy (1926)
Four Piano Blues (1955-57): 1. Freely Poetic
Four Piano Blues (1955-57): 2. Soft and Languid
Four Piano Blues (1955-57): 3. Muted and Sensuous
Four Piano Blues (1955-57): 4. With Bounce
Midsummer Nocturne (1947)
The Young Pioneers (1935)]
Sunday Afternoon Music (1935)
Down a Country Lane (1962)
Night Thoughts (Hommage to Ives) (1972)

Amazon.com

Most of this set was recorded for LP in 1978, but Leo Smit returned to the studios in 1993 to add some recently discovered short pieces. Smit, a friend of Copland and a composer himself, plays all of Copland's piano music with great comprehension. He sustains the flow throughout the difficult half-hour Piano Fantasy, though he doesn't create as much excitement in the Piano Variations as the composer did in 1935 on 78s (now on Pearl GEMM CD 9279). Much of Copland's piano music is occasional works or pieces for students, but the major works in the set make it well worth hearing. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

American Piano Music.......2007-02-12

It was a pleasure to hear the complete piano music of Copland. Pianist Leo Smit brings pleasure and enlightment to the listeners ear. Who better than an American pianist to interpret the music of Copland.

Ellis L. Marsalis, Jr

Copland's Growing Musical Style.......2001-11-06

Leo Smit has done more than just give us a complete collection of the piano music of Aaron Copland. In doing so, he has also given us a sizeable record of Copland's growth as a composer stretching from the angry tones of the Passacaglia and the Piano Variations, to the majestic and sometimes poetic Piano Fantasy, and beyond. The two CD's also showcase Copland in his many moods, sometimes light hearted and fun as in the Scherzo Humoristique and the second movement of the Piano Sonata, or sometimes nostalgic as in Down a Country Lane or the third movement of the Piano Sonata. This is a must-have for all Copland fans.

great music.......2000-06-03

A great buy for anyone who loves Copland or American contemporary music. Absolutely beautiful.

Average customer rating:

The Piano Music of Aaron Copland

Manufacturer: EROICA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Copland: The Young Pioneers (The Complete Music for Solo Piano)

ASIN: B0002EP34C
Release Date: 2004-06-09

Tracks:

Piano Sonata
Piano Sonata
Piano Sonata
Down A Country Lane
In Evening Air
Scherzo: Le Chat Et La Souris
Sunday Afternoon Music
The Young Pioneers
Sentimental Melody (Slow Dance)
Four Piano Blues
Four Piano Blues
Four Piano Blues
Four Piano Blues
Passacaglia

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Night Thoughts (Homage To Ives)
Piano Variations
Piano Fantasy

Average customer rating:

For a complete Copland piano music investigation only

Copland: Works for Piano, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Wergo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000005W9O
Release Date: 1994-05-17

Tracks:

Piano Fantasy
Midday Thoughts
Proclamation For Piano
The Young Pioneers
Sunday Afternoon Music
Sentimental Melody
Down A Country Lane
Night Thoughts
In Evening Air
Passacaglia

Customer Reviews:

For a complete Copland piano music investigation only.......1999-12-30

To be franck and straightforward, Nina Tichman can at no moment compete with the complete mastery in such works as the sonata and the variation achieved by David LIVELY on Etcetera (Piano variations, sonata and fantasy). Her playing seems to lack the necessary tension required by these works. The two volumes have the merit however to provide a full survey of Copland piano works, although I have not been able to find interest in them probably because of the described playing which seems to hesitate between low tempi and manierism. For an outstanding view of Copland major Piano works you need to hear David Lively first!