Copland: The Modernist

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
The material covered on Copland the Modernist offers an important--and highly enjoyable--counterweight to the icon of folksy Americana that the composer is usually made out to be. And though such works as Appalachian Spring and Rodeo have kept Copland high on the list of the 20th century's most popular composers, his achievement extends well beyond the familiar beauty of those musical landscapes. Michael Tilson Thomas, who has evolved into arguably the finest American conductor of his generation, has a special affinity for American maverick composers, and the selections here represent Copland as a probing artist who made his own impression straddling the popular-classical divide. In fact, Copland's later experiments in serialism were simply a natural development of his restless curiosity, of which these early assimilations of jazz into a symphonic idiom are excellent examples. Tilson Thomas manages at the same time to convey the heady inspiration from European models and the sense of embarking on a brave new world that went into the Short Symphony and Symphonic Ode (composed for the Boston Symphony). This is spectacular, spiky, incisive playing by a great American orchestra of a great American composer. --Thomas May

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra: Andante sostenuto
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra: Molto moderato; Allegro assai
Orchestral Variations
Short Symphony: Incisivo
Short Symphony: Espressivo
Short Symphony: Preciso e ritmico
Symphonic Ode

Amazon.com essential recording

The material covered on Copland the Modernist offers an important--and highly enjoyable--counterweight to the icon of folksy Americana that the composer is usually made out to be. And though such works as Appalachian Spring and Rodeo have kept Copland high on the list of the 20th century's most popular composers, his achievement extends well beyond the familiar beauty of those musical landscapes. Michael Tilson Thomas, who has evolved into arguably the finest American conductor of his generation, has a special affinity for American maverick composers, and the selections here represent Copland as a probing artist who made his own impression straddling the popular-classical divide. In fact, Copland's later experiments in serialism were simply a natural development of his restless curiosity, of which these early assimilations of jazz into a symphonic idiom are excellent examples. Tilson Thomas manages at the same time to convey the heady inspiration from European models and the sense of embarking on a brave new world that went into the Short Symphony and Symphonic Ode (composed for the Boston Symphony). This is spectacular, spiky, incisive playing by a great American orchestra of a great American composer. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Amazingly good........2007-02-20

I must confess I've never given much chance to classical music, despite being a huge music fanatic. After seeing a special on PBS about Copland, I was intrigued at how some of his later era stuff seemed to have a jazz influence in it. I ran across this album early into my search for some of his more adventurous stuff, and I'd say I hit the nail right on the head. Nothing on here is predictable and dull in any way--it's very exciting and interesting stuff that has totally changed my view of classical/orchestra music. I've heard some of his other stuff, and I think everything I've heard is very good, but this one takes the gold as being not only the best I've heard from Copland, but some of the very best music I've ever heard.

...lesser known works.......2004-03-02

For anyone wanting to go beyond the popular works of "Fanfare For The Common Man", "Appalachian Spring", "Rodeo Suites" and "Billy The Kid"...this disc is a good introduction to neglected works that had a bit of a shaky history. "The Short Symphony" was viewed as being to difficult to perform and ended up resurfacing in small scale works. The piece is represented by three movements fast-slow-fast that are played without a pause in the music with the extraordinary beauty of the slow movement.
"The Concerto For Piano And Orchestra" makes full use of jazz material with the piano conversing with the rest of the instruments. Michael Tilson Thomas has a good feel for Copland, as he does for any other American composer and the performance of the San Francisco Symphony is brisk and clear. This disc is most certainly a welcomed addition to any Copland collection, although there are no signs of any patriotic hymns or overtures that you can expect elsewhere.

Copland - The Modernist / Tilson Thomas, San Francisco.......2000-11-12

Simply outstanding, clean and beautiful music at it's absolute best. Thomas is fantastic, he adds to the sharpness of Copland's art.

my favorite Copland disc.......2000-08-18

What separates this disc from hundred other Copland discs are the incredible performances of the San Francisco Symphony w/ MTT and the specific programming combination of pieces compiled here. The disc has the rarely heard "Symphonic Ode" as well as tour d'force 2nd Symphony and the "Orchestral Variations." The placement of these latter two pieces is particularly rewarding.

Any follower of Copland must have this disc in their CD collection. Anyone who has heard his "Fanfare for the Common Man" or "Appalachian Spring" ballet will be challenged. The Orchestral Variations are an orchestration of his "Piano Variations" (from 1930/1931, I think). The Piano version became 'in-famous' at Tanglewood when a young pianist named Leonard Bernstein used to play them at receptions and concerts. Today they don't have the harsh edge or bite that they might have had then, but listeners used to "Fanfare for the common man" might be a little fidgety.

The real meaty tour d'force is his 2nd symphony. MTT gets an amazing sound from the SFS on this recording. The 2nd symphony wasn't performed for decades after Copland first wrote it. Koussevitsky said it was 'too difficult' for the orchestra. Disconsoled and uncertain about future performances Copland made a sextet version which also ROCKS (see Boston Symphony Orchestra Chamber Player recording on Nonesuch/Elektra). Finally at the 21st century orchestras CAN indeed play it and play it with such conviction. The challenging cross meter and multiple beat patterns pose no problem for MTT and the SFS.

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.)

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Live at the Rainbow [Live] [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Ravel: Shéhérazade: Berlioz: Te Deum; Dvorak: Serenata

Shape Fitness Music: Walk Plus

Look Who's Here

Best of No.1 Hits 2004 [Import]

Say It Loud: I'm Black And I'm Proud [Original recording remastered]

Show Boat (1993 Toronto Revival Cast) [Cast Recording] [Soundtrack]

Robert Schumann: Symphonies Nos. 1 - 4

Portrait of the Human Condition [Import]

Rachmaninoff: Trios Elegiaque

Sings a Song With Mulligan [Import]

Musicalmente Amandote

Recuerdos Borinquenos

Natural Blues

Death Threatz