One of my goals for 2024 is to listen to at least one CD from my collection every week, ideally a CD I haven’t listened to, and write a brief review of it. For starters, I’m continuing my survey of the Naxos 30th Anniversary box set. When many people think about American ‘classical’ music, they think of the music of Aaron Copland. And no wonder. While Copland isn’t the first composer who tried to capture the sound of America in his music, something about his approach sounds immediately and unmistakably right. His string writing sounds like wind blowing across the open prairies. His melodies evoke the something of the Old West, but (in my opinion) never to the point of being saccharine. Even when he wrote in a less popular idiom, such as in his brilliant Piano Variations, his pointillistic ‘thriftiness’ (his term) sounds jazzy and exciting in his angularity. For the record, I adore Copland’s music, and while some may write him off as being too ‘popular’, I deeply respect his ability to write in more than one idiom, to keep his voice intact while straddling different styles. Simply stated, I try to do the same in my music. This selection of Copland’s music all falls under the dance umbrella. Rodeo, a ballet that is better known as a series of dance episodes, is heard in its entirety, and it’s delightful. Dance Panels is more abstract in character, but unmistakably Copland, and it has its fair share of surprises. In my opinion, it’s a piece that deserves to be better known. El Salón México and Danzón Cubano are both a lot of fun, full of rhythmic energy and verve. In terms of the repertoire, there isn’t a weak link to be found. Leonard Slatkin is the ideal interpreter for this music. I find Slatkin to be an incredibly energetic conductor (his recording of Carmina Burana is wonderfully unhinged), sometimes to the point of excess, but that’s exactly what this music needs. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra sounds terrific. Highly recommended.
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AuthorChris Massa is a US-born musician based in Durham, England. You are on his site right now. Archives
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