Copland: The Populist

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The year 2000 marks the centenary for Aaron Copland, and what better conductor to bring his best-loved Americana compositions into the next millennium than Michael Tilson Thomas? On his follow-up to 1996's Copland: The Modernist disc, the forward-thinking conductor leads the San Francisco Symphony through Billy the Kid, Appalachian Spring, and Rodeo--three well-worn compositions steeped in Americana and virtually owned by Leonard Bernstein on a now legendary single disc. But Tilson Thomas doesn't try to compete with Bernstein, instead giving these works an inventive, impressionistic reading all his own. He adds a noirish color to the introduction of Billy the Kid, a perfect contrast to the work's folksier elements. On the opening of Appalachian Spring, Tilson Thomas's unhurried timings create a sense of suspense (not bad for a work we've all heard dozens of times!). And, thanks to great recording techniques by RCA Victor, Rodeo is a rollicking good time that you'll want to crank up on the stereo. Sure, we've all heard these pieces before, but Tilson Thomas makes them sound fresh again. Great stuff. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Billy The Kid
Appalachian Spring
Rodeo: Buckaroo Holiday
Rodeo: Corral Nocturne
Rodeo: Saturday Night Waltz
Rodeo: Hoe Down

Amazon.com

The year 2000 marks the centenary for Aaron Copland, and what better conductor to bring his best-loved Americana compositions into the next millennium than Michael Tilson Thomas? On his follow-up to 1996's Copland: The Modernist disc, the forward-thinking conductor leads the San Francisco Symphony through Billy the Kid, Appalachian Spring, and Rodeo--three well-worn compositions steeped in Americana and virtually owned by Leonard Bernstein on a now legendary single disc. But Tilson Thomas doesn't try to compete with Bernstein, instead giving these works an inventive, impressionistic reading all his own. He adds a noirish color to the introduction of Billy the Kid, a perfect contrast to the work's folksier elements. On the opening of Appalachian Spring, Tilson Thomas's unhurried timings create a sense of suspense (not bad for a work we've all heard dozens of times!). And, thanks to great recording techniques by RCA Victor, Rodeo is a rollicking good time that you'll want to crank up on the stereo. Sure, we've all heard these pieces before, but Tilson Thomas makes them sound fresh again. Great stuff. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Great Performance.......2007-01-24

This is a superb recording. The music making is exciting and inspired. Thomas has insight into how this music is to be played, and he gets a wonderful, enthusiastic, splashy reading of it from the S.F. Symphony that brings out the joy, the nuance, the breadth and the full texture of Copland's splendid writing. It's a great CD and simply the best rendition of these American masterpieces that I've ever heard.

Copland the great American composer.......2007-01-05

An excellent performance of a series of Aaron Copland's most famous works. I was most interested in Copland's work with Martha Graham, and this recording aided my class presentation on their joint endeavors.

Three Aaron Copland Works: The New Gold Standard Recording.......2006-06-17

Aaron Copland is a composer who seems to flow in and out of favor with the critics but remains in the bloodstream of American audiences. This recording by Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the San Francisco Symphony offers three of Copland's most familiar masterpieces in performances that truly underline the genius that was Aaron Copland. Given that many conductors, not the least of which includes Leonard Bernstein, Thomas Schippers, and Marin Alsop, have given superb performances of each of these ballets, it may sound presumptuous to claim that this Tilson Thomas recording is the Gold Standard. But just listen to the energy of performances and the quality of interpretation and recording and see if you're not hearing these pieces anew.

MTT draws exceptionally fine playing from his SFO and his tutelage with Leonard Bernstein is apparent. But MTT has extensively studied these scores and has his own opinions - opinions that make the works each more solid and sound. 'Billy the Kid' has all the combination of menace and danger of the tale but also manages to bounce into wildly exuberant dancing. The four episodes from 'Rodeo' are full of fire and vixen and celebration and elegant writing. But for this listener the finest achievement is in MTT's choice of recording the full ballet 'Appalachian Spring' and not for the original 'chamber (read 'pit') orchestra', but instead for the full orchestral version that allows more color, more sensitivity in sparring orchestral choirs, and in more radiant innocence and beauty of tone. This is a stunning achievement and one by which all other performances and recordings must be judged.

For those whose library already holds individual recordings of these Copland works, this triad is a must. For those who have liked but have never taken Copland seriously, the experience of these performances will alter the appreciation of Aaron Copland as one of the populist masters of the last century. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, June 06

Copland Concert.......2005-11-02

Featured on this CD is the entire Appalachian Spring ballet, Billy the Kid ballet suite, and four dance episodes from the Rodeo ballet. All are masterpieces presented with an entirely new interpretation by Michael Tilson Thomas.

With Billy the Kid, Aaron Copland's future is written for him, a composer whose music evokes rural Americana. The opening introduction where he depicts "The Open Prairie", his sound is born, large spacings of octaves, fifths, and fourths give an expansive panoramic feeling. The other parts of the suite are represented: "Street in a Frontier Town", "Mexican Dance and Finale", "Prairie Night" (Card Game at Night), "Gun Battle", "Celebration" (after Billy's capture), "Billy's Death", and ending with "The Open Prairie". All are depicted with soaring strings, chatty woodwinds, blazing brass, and a battery of percussion. Appalachian Spring is a pioneer celebration around a newly built farmhouse and a young couple about to tie the knot. Of course, the famous Shaker Tune is in this, but split up by a dance sequence, and the entire work ends rather peacefully. Sounds of his opera "The Heartland" can be heard here, as well as Copland's great driving rhythms. The Rodeo dance episodes include Buckaroo Holiday, Corral Nocturne, Saturday Night Waltz, and the famous Hoedown. Copland's great writing of melodies (all catchy), interesting harmonies and orchestrations, and those fabulous driving rhythms are the apex of his American sound, all played in Rodeo within a relatively short amount of time.

All the music is played excellently by the San Francisco Symphony. Michael Tilson Thomas gives a cerebral and intelligent interpretation, but never gives way to sentimentality or overt drama. I think that is all that is missing from these works is a little extra drama. This makes Leonard Bernstein's version of all the suites a slightly better buy. That and Billy the Kid and Appalachian Spring are on only one track (30 minute works). Not a bad CD by any accounts, it is easy to recommend after the Bernstein.

Copland Reigns Supreme Under Thomas' Baton.......2004-12-15

Whenever I see "The Magnificent Seven", "On the Waterfront", "The Natural", even "Waiting for Guffman" or any number of films that use music to reflect some aspect of the American experience, I think of Aaron Copland. He didn't compose any of those scores, but his musical influence is so pervasive in our collective consciousness that one can only describe the music as "Coplandesque". Aptly entitled "The Populist", this superb disc was recorded in December 1999 and presents Copland's three classic folk ballets: "Billy the Kid" (1938), "Rodeo" (1942), and the complete version of "Appalachian Spring" (1944). Bernstein's version may have been the most definitive, but make room on your CD shelf for this one. With the masterful Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, it's sensational.

It opens with "Billy the Kid", here a 21-minute single movement suite that contains the dark coloring suitable for a killer in the Old West. The arrangement presents a haunting atmosphere amid a basically romantic theme with a strong sense of distance and open space as emphasized by the muted trumpet solo in the middle. This is followed by "Rodeo", a 19-minute piece in four movements, which presents a comparatively more wholesome story that is meant to inspire lively dancing with the "Saturday Night Waltz", an especially lovely "Corral Nocturne", and the boisterous "Hoe Down", among other folk-inspired material. Running 35 minutes in a single movement, the capper is the Revivalist episode of "Appalachian Spring" in its full orchestral scoring. Vividly played, poetically paced and stunningly recorded, it is as close to the definitive version as exists now given its full scope. Spread over a greater time span than condensed versions and interspersed with music of significant unease and conflict, the piece takes on a wider portrait of community struggle. In particular, the familiar Shaker melody "Simple Gifts" expands through a series of variations to make an epic statement complete with triumphant brass. Thomas takes his time in unfolding his Americana with all the skill of a great musical dramatist who knows exactly how to pace his story. No matter how many times you think you've heard all of these pieces, I can tell you this is one you will treasure.

Aaron Copland: The Essence of America [Box Set]

Average customer rating:

Broke package
The Music is Beautiful, but the Extras are Priceless
It's not Bernstein and never will be
Aaron Copland: The Essence of America
The two faces of Copland

Aaron Copland: The Essence of America [Box Set]

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

The Copland Collection: Orchestral Works, 1948-1971
Copland: Symphony No. 3; Quiet City
Stravinsky: Firebird, Rite Of Spring, Persephone / Tilson Thomas, San Francisco SO
Copland: Music for Films
Ultimate Copland Album

ASIN: B00004WFNM
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra: Andante sostenuto
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra: Molto moderato; Allegro assai
Orchestral Variations
Short Symphony (Symphony No. 2): Incisivo
Short Symphony (Symphony No. 2): Espressivo
Short Symphony (Symphony No. 2): Preciso e ritmico
Symphonic Ode

Tracks:

Billy The Kid
Appalachian Spring
Rodeo: Buckaroo Holiday
Rodeo: Corral Nocturne
Rodeo: Saturday Night Waltz
Rodeo: Hoe Down

Tracks:

Fanfare for the Common Man
Introduction to The Modernist and Symphonic Ode
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
Orchestral Variations
Short Symphony
Introduction to The Populist
Billy the Kid
Appalachian Spring
Rodeo
On First Meeting Aaron Copland and Aaron Copland the Man
Introduction to Fanfare for the Common Man
Fanfare for the Common Man

Customer Reviews:

Broke package.......2007-06-27

I could not give it as a gift because the case was damaged.

I was told I would get a return label.

Roger

The Music is Beautiful, but the Extras are Priceless.......2006-02-21

Michael Tilson Thomas has long been known to have had a happy and fruitful relationship with the great Aaron Copland. His intimate knowledge of Copland's music and heart are evident in these recordings. The second symphony and the Appalachian Ballet(! as opposed to suite, which leaves out a very gorgeous, mysterious movement) are gorgeously rendered, as is the inimitable Fanfare for the Common Man. Billy the Kid is always a delight, of course. The Orchestral Variations are so invigoratingly different from what most people think of when they think of Copland, and this rendering is lively and precise. If I had one complaint, and it is a small one, it would be that I had a hard time with this interpretation of Rodeo, which didn't seem to find it's rhythm and gallop the way I'm used to. Still good, but I've heard better.

But for me, an aspiring composer, the thing that puts this set over the top is the absolutely delightful commentary on the contents of the set by MTT. Not only do you get to hear a wonderful history lesson, but MTT obviously has a light, joyous love of music, and particularly that of Copland, that is infectious and inspiring. After hearing the commentary, I found myself much more deeply involved in the second listening of the set. I must disagree with the reviewer who compared MTT with Bernstein, not that one has more "quality" than the other, but that such a comparison has any merit or point in the first place. They are two very different people. MTT's commentary makes this set a must-have for Music lovers and especially for Copland aficionados.

It's not Bernstein and never will be.......2005-09-21

Tilson Thomas flirted briefly with trying to be the next Bernstein but luckily has gone his own way. He is not a fiery or driven conductor--one can't say of him that he is possessed by music, a phrase Bernstien used about himself. In these Copland recordings he certainly conducts well, but the spirit of Copland seems lost among the careful detailing. This should be simple music to conduct but somehow only Bernstein catches the rollicking joy, the democratic dance rhythms, and the underlying sophistication at the same time. These readings strike me as too sophisticated by half, although they are in great sound.

Aaron Copland: The Essence of America.......2003-06-23

Having heard MTT perform Copland live and with astounding impact I was delighted with this set. MTT's perfomances are exciting and have alot of insight. The 'Modernist' CD is perhaps a little dry compared with the 'Populist' one but the two compliment each other well as a result. MTT's comments as an interpreter and friend of Copland are invaluable and provide an accurate and lively interpretation of the composer's music. He delivers his words with great enthusiasm and clarity and his 'scat' singing on the disk is not to be missed!.. All in all this is a great box set and every Copland fan/student should have it. I hope it's not too long before MTT releases a recording of the 3rd Symphony - if it turned out like this set then we would have another definitive Copland recording.

The two faces of Copland.......2001-10-29

This set contains 2 music CD's: One CD has Copland's earlier more chaotic works, and the other CD has the Copland's more famous works: Rodeo, Billy the Kid, and Appalacian Spring suites. The third CD is a commentary on the works on the other two disks, and also contains "Fanfare for the Common Man".

The Appalacian disk is the greatest of the set. All three works have a new fresh interpretation, and the Appalacian Spring suite includes a section that is usually cut in most performances. (When I first listened it definitely took me by surprise!) MTT is perhaps the greatest living conductor for modern music and he does not disappoint.

I did not care much for the CD containing Copland's modernistic works. The early works are very aggressive and "in-your-face" with irregular rhythms, which some may prefer, but they are a bit too modern for me.

The commentary disk is delivered in a somewhat dry manner, but is worth listening too for some insight about the music. The commenary for the Appalacian Suite (where he explains the restored "Preacher" section) is good, and it is necessary to listen to the commentary to even hope to understand the modern works. (Actually, it helped me to appreciate the "Orchestral Variations" on the first CD -- perhaps the only modernist work in this set that I really enjoy.)

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