Chadwick: Symphonic Sketches; MacDowell: Suite for orchestra Op42/1-5

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is a wonderful reissue from 1950s-vintage recordings (though the quality is such that you won't be able to tell) of the works of American composers born in the 19th century--the dinosaurs of American music. Their works tend to be rooted in some of the same folk songs Charles Ives (a much younger contemporary of Chadwick and MacDowell) would later go on to butcher and twist. Curiously, while this music hadn't become particularly American yet, it certainly isn't European, either. Already these men are searching for a unique American idiom. This disc and this music are necessary for the fossil record. --Paul Cook

Chadwick: Symphonic Sketches; MacDowell: Suite for orchestra Op42/1-5, Music, George Whitefield Chadwick, Edward MacDowell, Johann Friedrich Peter, David Hall, Harold Lawrence, Howard Hanson, Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Romantic Orchestral Music, Symphonic, Symphony

Chadwick: Symphonic Sketches; MacDowell: Suite for orchestra Op42/1-5
Average customer rating:

Hanson outshines Serebrier and Jarvi in the Chadwick

History made immediate

Chadwick: Symphonic Sketches; MacDowell: Suite for orchestra Op42/1-5

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by MacDowell | MacDowell, Edward | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000057M9
Release Date: 1994-06-14

Tracks:

Symphonic Sketches: 1. Jubilee
Symphonic Sketches: 2. Noel
Symphonic Sketches: 3. Hobgoblin
Symphonic Sketches: 4. A Vagrom Ballad
Suite For Large Orchestra, Op. 42: 1. In A Haunted Forest
Suite For Large Orchestra, Op. 42: 2. Summer Idyll
Suite For Large Orchestra, Op. 42: 3. In October
Suite For Large Orchestra, Op. 42: 4. The Shepherdess' Song
Suite For Large Orchestra, Op. 42: 5. Forest Spirits
Sinfonia In G: 1. Presto
Sinfonia In G: 2. Polonaise
Sinfonia In G: 3. Menuet (Vivace)
Sinfonia In G: 4. Presto

Amazon.com

This is a wonderful reissue from 1950s-vintage recordings (though the quality is such that you won't be able to tell) of the works of American composers born in the 19th century--the dinosaurs of American music. Their works tend to be rooted in some of the same folk songs Charles Ives (a much younger contemporary of Chadwick and MacDowell) would later go on to butcher and twist. Curiously, while this music hadn't become particularly American yet, it certainly isn't European, either. Already these men are searching for a unique American idiom. This disc and this music are necessary for the fossil record. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

Hanson outshines Serebrier and Jarvi in the Chadwick.......2007-07-07

This is a really exciting rendition of the Symphonic Sketches. I also like the "immediacy" of the sound, as compared to the symphonic "wash" and heavy reverb of both the Serebrier (Reference Recordings) and Jarvi (Chandos) readings. As an erstwhile percussionist, I continually marvel at the ERSO player's ability to play those 13 rapid-fire cymbal crashes in the middle of the Jubilee movement so perfectly!

This CD also contains the best performance of the MacDowell First Orchestral Suite, with sumptuous playing by the ERSO forces. When you hear it played this well, you almost think it's a masterpiece (that honor actually goes to MacDowell's Second Suite -- Indian -- which Hanson also recorded but way back in the mono era, so unfortunately it's not available to us on CD). When comparing Hanson's First Suite performance to the sluggish alternative found on Naxos ... there's really no comparison at all.

The Johann Peter work is a filler item you can dispense with.

History made immediate.......2000-07-07

Hanson and his virtuoso ensemble make the most of these old works--the composers themselves would have blushed to have such effort and result showered on them.

But the music's worth it. The Chadwick is a major work, emininetly listenable, beautifully crafted, songful, funny, piquant and rich all at the same time. The McDowell suite is so beautifully played you think it is a somewhat better work than it actually is, but there's no denying its evocative atmosphere despite its concept which is somewhat dated. The Peter is more of a curiosity piece from a composer who had no pretense of being a pro...but listening to Hanson et.al., you realize the guy did a pretty good job with the material he chose.

While the presentation of the Chadwick here is not as elegant as beautiful performances of his music from Detroit, it doesn't really aim at elegance, and is perhaps why I respond to Hanson's approach more. I just solved the problem by having all of it around to enjoy...sometimes I prefer the one, sometimes the other. A little fickleness is good when enjoying great art.

Buy this historic disk and treat yourself to a thought-provoking view of some of those who started out this wonderful stuff we call American music. You'll find yourself being a fan for life.

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