Copland: Works for Piano Duo

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Throughout his long and distinguished career Aaron Copland (1900-1990) held a leading position in American classical music. The diversity of his output is extraordinary: it ranges from early avant-garde works to the folkloric and immediately accessible compositions, to experiments with atonality and serialism. Yet, regardless of the stylistic approach, Copland's music, always characterized by clearly shaped structures and easily recognizable and economical thematic material, consistently upholds his highly-set musical ideals. The piano was central to Copland's creative work. He always composed at the keyboard and its sonorities and gestures are clearly discernable in his music. Not only was the piano featured in numerous larger scores but many of his orchestral works were, essentially, original pianistic conceptions written down first for two pianos and orchestrated only later. Not surprisingly, the two- piano versions received several public performances, given by the pianist John Kirkpatrick and Copland himself. Another duo piano partner was the composer's friend and colleague Leonard Bernstein, who not only collaborated with Copland in performance but also made a two-piano arrangement of El Salon Mexico, heard on this CD. Also featured on this disc is the World Premiere recording of Copland's own version of MUSIC FOR THE THEATER for one piano, four hands.

Tracks:

Dance of the Adolescent
MUSIC FOR THE THEATRE: 5 movements
El Salon Mexico
BILLY THE KID: 6 movements
Two Dance Episodes from RODEO
Danzon Cubano
Danza de Jalisco

Album Description

Throughout his long and distinguished career Aaron Copland (1900-1990) held a leading position in American classical music. The diversity of his output is extraordinary: it ranges from early avant-garde works to the folkloric and immediately accessible compositions, to experiments with atonality and serialism. Yet, regardless of the stylistic approach, Copland's music, always characterized by clearly shaped structures and easily recognizable and economical thematic material, consistently upholds his highly-set musical ideals. The piano was central to Copland's creative work. He always composed at the keyboard and its sonorities and gestures are clearly discernable in his music. Not only was the piano featured in numerous larger scores but many of his orchestral works were, essentially, original pianistic conceptions written down first for two pianos and orchestrated only later. Not surprisingly, the two- piano versions received several public performances, given by the pianist John Kirkpatrick and Copland himself. Another duo piano partner was the composer's friend and colleague Leonard Bernstein, who not only collaborated with Copland in performance but also made a two-piano arrangement of El Salon Mexico, heard on this CD. Also featured on this disc is the World Premiere recording of Copland's own version of MUSIC FOR THE THEATER for one piano, four hands.

Copland: Complete Works for Violin and Piano

Average customer rating:

Copland violin Works
Buy it

Copland: Complete Works for Violin and Piano

Manufacturer: Naxos American
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000069KFK
Release Date: 2002-07-16

Tracks:

Andante Semplice
Lento
Allegretto Giusto
Nocturne (Lento Moderato)
Ukelele Serenade (Allegro Vivo)
Vitebsk (1929): Study On A Jewish Theme For Piano, Violin And Cello
Prelude No. 1 For Violin And Piano (1917)
Prelude No. 2 For Violin And Piano (1917)
Flowing
Poetic, Somewhat Mournful
Lively, With Bounce
Hoe Down From Rodeo (1942): Arr. For Violin And Piano (1945)
Waltz (Molto Moderato)
Celebration (Allegro)

Amazon.com

Copland didn't write a CD's worth of music for violin and piano, so the performers had to exercise ingenuity to fill the disc. They came up with two virtually unknown Preludes from 1917 (very early but attractive music), two later short pieces, a Trio (adding the cellist), and some transcriptions. The performances and recording are less ingenious than the programming, though. In the duo works, the piano consistently overbalances the violin, a rather annoying flaw. The conclusion of the 1978 Duo, originally for flute, is lacking the ecstatic poetry it can have, and the arrangements from Rodeo and Billy the Kid don't have the raucous energy they need. Vitebsk, the 1929 trio based on Jewish folk style, has its stinging dissonance intact, and the recorded balance is fine here. This disc is worth its low price for the novelties and adequate presentation, but it's not one of Naxos's better bargains. Sony's valuable two-disc set, which includes Copland's own performances of the Duo (in its original version) and Vitebsk, shows how they should be done. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Copland violin Works.......2007-05-13

Very nice CD. Copland is played very well by Peter Zazofsky, great violinist and wonderfull pianist too!

Buy it.......2002-08-15

This is a wonderful recording of Copland's music for violin
and piano. The piece I'm most familiar with is the Sonata, having played the piano part. When studying it I made reference
to the recording that Copland made with Issac Stern. Always go right to the source. I have to admitt that the playing on this disc is better, the third movement in particular is much more convincing. Copland himself authorized variant interpertations of his music, this piece in particular. My guess is that he would be very pleased with this disc.
The other pieces range from the all too familiar Rodeo excerpts (though not the way they are played here) to the completely unknown Preludes.
This is great playing

Average customer rating:

Good interpretation
My Favorite

American Flute Works

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000049OY
Release Date: 1995-12-01

Tracks:

Sonata, Op. 14 For Flute And Piano: Allegro deciso
Sonata, Op. 14 For Flute And Piano: Scherzo - Vivace
Sonata, Op. 14 For Flute And Piano: Andante
Sonata, Op. 14 For Flute And Piano: Allegro con moto
Duo For Flute And Piano: Flowing
Duo For Flute And Piano: Poetic, Somewhat Mournful
Duo For Flute And Piano: Lively, With Bounce
Chaconne Sonata For Flute And Piano: Lento espressivo
Chaconne Sonata For Flute And Piano: Allegro agitato
Chaconne Sonata For Flute And Piano: Largo
Chaconne Sonata For Flute And Piano: Allegro quieto
Hexachords For Solo Flute
Fantasy For Flute And Piano
Canzone For Flute And Piano

Customer Reviews:

Good interpretation.......2005-09-06

I had the privelege of playing in a master class for her two years ago, and it was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. She has great insight into performing pieces with stories that you create inside your mind to accompany the music (found this out when our flute studio chatted with her at dinner the night before). Her interpretation of the Copland Duo is one of the more emotionally revealing performances I've ever heard. This is a good quality flute CD and well worth the money.

My Favorite.......2001-02-07

I must confess - of all of Laurel Ann Maurer's CDs, this one, her first, remains my favorite. The CD is based on a concert she gave at Carnegie Recital Hall (Weill Hall), and I was lucky enough to attend the performance and experience the energy and drama first-hand. For those who weren't there, this recording captures the incredible inventiveness and musicality of these modern and accessible composers. The Copland is divine, the Muczynski is jazzy and vibrant - but to my ears, the outstanding composition is the Kupferman Chaconne Sonata, which was commissioned by Ms. Maurer. At its premiere, the raw energy of the final movement drove the audience to its feet in a roar of appreciation. I feel that same thrill each time I hear it, as though I had climbed a high peak and got an unexpected view of a beautiful new land, so lush and green that it took my breath away. I look forward to hearing more Kupferman selections on her upcoming recordings!

Aaron Copland: Complete Works for Violin and Piano

Average customer rating:

Aaron Copland: Complete Works for Violin and Piano
Aaron Copland , Andrew Cooperstock , and William Terwilliger
Manufacturer: Azica
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004S97A
Release Date: 2000-03-14