This sonically spectacular disc features three of Aaron Copland's most beloved Americana scores. Drawing on American folk themes, Rodeo and Appalachian Spring originated as ballet music, but they have found a larger life as light classic staples. They are briskly conducted by Louis Lane and played with élan by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. --Sarah Bryan Miller

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The interpretation of Appalachian Spring is one of my absolute favorites--I treasure it.

Atlanta sounds world-class. Worth the money, despite the short measure of the disc!

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

Great American FareDec 10, 2007
By Keith E. Hocker
And now, something distinctly American: the music of Aaron Copland. I'm proud and happy to be an American, and so was Mr. Copland, apparently. I enjoy living in the southern Appalachians. It was getting acquainted with this region of the country that I got better acquainted with his music- which has a certain vivid photographic quality to it. That is, it conveys the social and even the topographic landscape of our wonderful country with brilliant imagery in music. The strong use of brass and percussion gives us the full, broad and rich sounds that match our American landscape, while the woodwinds and strings often capture the intimate woodland settings and quiet places of our forests.

I've heard a few interpretations of App. Spring, and this is a little on the fast side, in my opinion. Still very good...

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:

beautiful workAug 26, 2008
By Jack L. Tofari
I was pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of this recording. I used to think that only Angel Records could produce such quality. The people who did the mixing made me feel like I was standing next to the conductor. Every solo instrument seemed to sound its best.
I also liked the interpretation. I though it was traditional and being a tone poem I had no problem closing my eyes and "seeing" the action.

11 of 15 found the following review helpful:

A strong version of Copland 's workApr 19, 2008
By Steven A. Peterson
This CD contains three of Aaron Copland's more popular works: "Fanfare for the Common Man"; "Rodeo," and "Appalachian Spring." Louis Lane conducts the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and they play Copland's works well.

A few brief comments about each. "Fanfare for the Common Man" is one of my favorite fanfares. The name alone biases me in its favor. But the cadence is wonderful, beginning with percussion. Then, the soaring horn. Then percussion again. 3:14 of wondrous, powerful music. I often get goose bumps listening to this short piece. The liner notes comment that the key to this work's continuing popularity is ". . .the soaring, heroic character of its opening trumpet line. . . ."

"Rodeo" is another enjoyable work. Its four movements go from "Buckaroo Holiday" to the well known "Hoe Down.""Buckaroo Holiday" is a lively piece and will be familiar to many. It begins with a toe-tapping introduction, The final movement, "Hoe Down," has been used as a theme in advertisements put out by beef growers in the U. S, (as I recall, Robert Mitchum was one of the early pitchmen in this ad, with Copland's work backing him up). This is another fast-paced, lively piece. Its energy is maintained throughout. The title, "Hoe Down," is lived up to by the music (and by this performance) and if I could dance I'd probably get up and dance!

The final piece is the 22 minute "Appalachian Spring." The song "Simple Gifts" serves as a theme interspersed here and there. This work starts out at a slow, contemplative pace. This is a good version of Copland's composition.

All in all, this is a good version of these three works. If you like Copland, I would suspect that you would like this CD.


1 of 1 found the following review helpful:

Wonderful collection of Aaron Copland Hits!Apr 01, 2010
By R. Rizzi "Old FM DJ"
Wonderful collection of Aaron Copland Hits!
If a classical genius ever had a hit....like Britany. Luckily for us though. No Britany, Aaron yes! Very well done passages, Fanfare for the Common this NYS composers signature and a piece that has stuck with me since my college radio days 35 years ago! Eugene Ormandy, Leonard Bernstein and Louis Lane conducting these masterpieces, I had to have three renditions!

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