New York Philharmonic

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Until we see what Leonard Slatkin and Gerard Schwarz do with this symphony in their ongoing examinations of American music, this recording has the field to itself (accounts by Serge Koussevitzky and Arturo Toscanini, dating from 1939 and 1940 respectively, are sonically out of the running). Leonard Bernstein gives a tough, craggy rendition of the score; the playing of the Philharmonic is very sonorous, the recording close and vivid. --Ted Libbey

Amazon.com
This is one of many recordings of Roy Harris's extraordinary Symphony 3, and one of the best. When the symphony appeared in 1939 it blew everybody away, so to speak. Nothing like it had ever been heard before and Harris always lived in the shadow of this brief (18 minute) work. Also here is William Schuman's Symphony 3, written just two years later. Schuman was one of Harris's students and his earlier symphonies, including this one, show it. Schuman adopts many of the same harmony... read more

Roy Harris: Symphony No. 3 / William Schuman: Symphony No. 3 - Leonard Bernstein / New York Philharmonic

Tracks:

Adagio For Strings
Symphony No.3 In One Movement
Part I: Passacaglia
Part I: Fugue
Part II: Chorale
Part II: Toccata

Customer Reviews:

A Great Compilation.......2005-03-21

This CD represents a reissue of three excellent recordings, under the baton of the legendary Leonard Bernstein, at a super-budget price. Two of them deserve a wider audience; the third is one of the world's most famous compositions.

If you have not heard Harris' third symphony, run - don't walk - to pick up this recording. This one-movement masterpiece was once heralded as the greatest American composition of the 20th century - and while it is not heard quite as often today, it will take only one listen to understand why it is so well loved. This recording features Bernstein and the NY Philharmonic, in the second of two recordings he made of this work.

The William Schuman symphony is another example of a celebrated piece (and composer) that is not as instantly recognized today as in the mid-20th century. This is his most famous and accessible work - if you like Copland, you'll love this. Again, this is Bernstein and the NYP from the late 80s.

Finally, the world-famous Adagio which needs no introduction, recorded by Lenny and the LA Philharmonic in a wrenching interpretation - one of the very best.

All of these compositions represent the flowering of American symphonic music that occurred in the middle of the last century, much of which (with a few exceptions such as the Adagio) has fallen into shameful neglect. Don't hesitate to pick up this CD, it will serve as an excellent introduction to some incredible music. As a next step, check out the "American Classics" serices from Naxos - budget editions of near-forgotten American traditionalist composers that will completely amaze you.

Roy Harris: Symphony No. 3 / William Schuman: Symphony No. 3 - Leonard Bernstein / New York Philharmonic

Average customer rating:

An extraordinary linstening expierence!
Definitive performances of 2 masterpieces
Digital is nice, but the older performances are nicer

Roy Harris: Symphony No. 3 / William Schuman: Symphony No. 3 - Leonard Bernstein / New York Philharmonic
Roy Harris , William Schuman , Leonard Bernstein , and New York Philharmonic
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000001G8E
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Symphony No.3: In One Movement
Symphony No.3: Part I: Passacaglia
Symphony No.3: Part I: Fugue
Symphony No.3: Part II: Chorale
Symphony No.3: Part II: Toccata

Amazon.com

Until we see what Leonard Slatkin and Gerard Schwarz do with this symphony in their ongoing examinations of American music, this recording has the field to itself (accounts by Serge Koussevitzky and Arturo Toscanini, dating from 1939 and 1940 respectively, are sonically out of the running). Leonard Bernstein gives a tough, craggy rendition of the score; the playing of the Philharmonic is very sonorous, the recording close and vivid. --Ted Libbey

Amazon.com

This is one of many recordings of Roy Harris's extraordinary Symphony 3, and one of the best. When the symphony appeared in 1939 it blew everybody away, so to speak. Nothing like it had ever been heard before and Harris always lived in the shadow of this brief (18 minute) work. Also here is William Schuman's Symphony 3, written just two years later. Schuman was one of Harris's students and his earlier symphonies, including this one, show it. Schuman adopts many of the same harmony arrangements as Harris, even to the tone of the strings. Schuman gets better, but the Harris is forever. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

An extraordinary linstening expierence!.......2005-04-16

After listening to the 3rd symphony by William Schuman that recorded on this CD, under the baton of the great Bernstein in his greatest years, I thought I had get in touch with the very core of American culture. Yes, the symphony recorded here gave me the self-confidence, regardless all the possible ridicule of my ignorance of America.
Accord to my ears, the third symphony by Schuman is a great example of a balance among passion, thoughtfulness, exhilaration and self-control, and Bernstein drove the music to perfection. If the composer should disagree with his interpretation, it was the composer that was wrong. Furthermore, this is one of the best live recordings I have ever heard, noiseless, silk-like and proper-echoed.
Bernstein's CBS recording of the same symphony with the same orchestra, which I listened to later is also very good, but this recording is the best, and I can hardly imagine an interpretation better. In my life, I have few listening experience like this-if I exaggerate, please forgive me, and let me exaggerate on.
The third symphony by Harris renders something pastoral and spacious, being also attractive while overshadowed by its companion on this American album.

Definitive performances of 2 masterpieces.......2000-03-06

This cd features two works that, seems to me, would be unfair to define only as "American" masterpieces. If they are undeniably and peculiarly American in feelings and originality of expression, their value makes them 20th century masterpieces period. I already talked about Schuman's 3rd in my review of the 1960's recording, so I'll just add that this astonishing work receives here an even better, definitive performance. Everything is perfect : the excitement is all there, but tempos are never rushed and the complex textures of the music are always crystal-clear, with the NYPO in top form. The strings are especially amazing, and the Dg recording is one of the best "live" I heard. The cd is also varied, because Harris'3rd ( a seminal work for American symphonic music) is very different in feeling: here I get kind of a "pastoral" feeling, music evocative of the great American wilderness, but without the folksy-country taste often favoured by Copland. It's noble, dignified music, that always makes me think about the immense spaces of the rural Mid and South West and the simple, hard-working life of the people there. Harris was a musical pioneer and, being a self-taught composer, he wasn't as technically accomplished or imaginative ( he is pretty much a one-work composer) as Schuman, but his lyrical feeling was warmer, his music profoundly humane. It's a measure of Bernstein's greatness that he manages perfectly two works so different, giving the Harris a heartfelt, almost devout account. Once again, splendid NYPO and first-class sound. Strongly recommended. Oh, this cd is out-of-print here in Europe, so get it while stock lasts !

Digital is nice, but the older performances are nicer.......1999-04-15

Bernstein, like so many other conductors, liked to record works more than once. Fortunately, his vision wasn't limited to rehashing the staples stable. In this case, both Harris and Schuman are given a 'second look.' While the digital sound is appreciated - especially in the final Toccata of the Schuman 3rd, the performances seem to me more humdrum than inspired. The earlier recordings of both works made in the 60s are still, to my ears, the preferred performances. Ogden Nash's famous bon mot "Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker" applies here. Digital candy, analogue liquor.

The Americans: Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

Average customer rating:

Very Good To Memorable Recordings of Bernstein's American Composer Recordings

The Americans: Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B0001WGDXU
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Customer Reviews:

Very Good To Memorable Recordings of Bernstein's American Composer Recordings.......2007-07-01

This is yet another superb box set of Bernstein's Deutsche Grammophon recordings, emphasizing his strong affinity and interest in the work of such great American composers like Charles Ives, Aaron Copland and William Schuman. The best recordings are those with The New York Philharmonic of Charles Ives's orchestral works and Aaron Copland's Third Symphony, "Quiet City" suite for horn and strings, and the El Salon de Mexico ballet suite. But I also admire Bernstein's recordings with the Los Angeles Philharmonic of Gershwin's great classical/jazz orchestral works like "Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris", and the recordings of several other Copland scores, most notably, "Appalachian Spring". Like virtually all of the other recordings in Deutsche Grammophon's "Collector's Edition" series of Leonard Bernstein, these were recorded by Deutsche Grammophon in the 1980s, often during live concert performances held in Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, and New York City (Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall). While some may prefer Bernstein's classic recordings of Copland and Ives for CBS Masterworks (now Sony) in the late 1950s and 1960s, these have the benefit of being digital recordings made by Deutsche Grammophon's then state-0f-the-art recording processes. Without question, anyone who is a fan of Copland's, Gershwin's or Ives' scores and of Leonard Bernstein will surely cherish this fine 6 CD box set.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Helena [CD-single] [Import]

Miecsyslaw Kartowicz: Symphonic Poems

Legendary Song Stylist [Import]

Mendelssohn: String Quartets Op.13 & Op.80

Music Of The Native Americans

Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus

Rainy Day Music

Latin Touch: Leyendas/Legends

La Cuatro Vatos Locos

Came So Far

Truth in Shredding