American Symphony Recordings
Fri, Jan 4 2013, 9:59PM
In addition to the interesting and sometimes surprising recommendations (Gramophone December 2012) of Peter Dickinson, who is assuredly an expert on American music , I wish to add a few. Randall Thompson's Second Symphony (1931), quintessentially American in its rhythms, is best represented by Leonard Bernstein's Sony recording 60594. On the same recording, with the New York Philharmonic, in the Bernstein Century series, is David Diamond's appealing Fourth Symphony (1945) and William Schuman's Third Symphony (1946), all at a bargain price these days, at least at Arkivmusic.com.My own nomination for the greatest American Symphony is Harold Shapero's Symphony for Classical Orchestra (1947), particularly the recording by Bernstain, also on Sony's Bernstein Century series, Sony 60725. I have found this work exciting for half a century. Andre Previn has a more recent recording but in my opinion Bernstein brings out the forward motion and driving rhythms better. This is a large-scale, four movement work, interestingly influenced by both Beethoven and Stravinsky, although too much has been made of these connections; neither of those composers could have composed the work, which is in the composer's own voice.R. James TobinWisconsin, USA
Sat, Jan 5 2013, 12:11AM
#2
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Bazza Riley, I think you would find the Schuman symphonies much more akin to Harris' music. Schuman studied with Harris, as it happens.
Sat, Jan 5 2013, 12:57PM
#3
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Again not seen the Dickinson article but the first symphony of Samuel Barber is a seriously underated work. There is really no excuse why this work is not more recorded and played.
Sat, Jan 5 2013, 4:48PM
#4
RE: American Symphony Recordings
I agree about Barber although the idiom is perhaps rather unfashionable for it to be regarded as amongst the greatest.
At the other end of the scale, what about the symphonies of Sessions? I have a CD with old recordings of the first three. Tough going but rewarding.
Sat, Jan 5 2013, 5:36PM
#5
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Howard Hanson conducting the Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra made a series of recordings for Mercury during the 1950's under the title American Music Festival series.
I have on LP vol.6, which includes - Wallingford Riegger. New Dance, Alan Hovhaness.Concerto no.1 for Orchestra, and Henry Cowell. Symphony no4. The initial attraction was Mercury sound,as the only American composer I was familiar with was Copland. This record has whetted my appetite to explore American music further. Howard Hanson is an ideal guide.
Sat, Jan 5 2013, 7:15PM
#6
RE: American Symphony Recordings
For my money, Bernstein's first two symphonies (especially the Jeremiah) are as fine or finer than any of those mentioned so far. But like Bazza's Barber they are not fashionable choices.
Chris
Sat, Jan 5 2013, 7:15PM
#7
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Howard Hanson conducting the Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra made a series of recordings for Mercury during the 1950's.
I also downloaded a recording of the Nordic symphony played by the Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra and conducted by the composer; but this was recorded c. 1942. I am not sure if he made any further recordings at that time. It is available on the excellent archive.org site.
Sat, Jan 5 2013, 11:49PM
#8
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Like Chris, Bernstein's First is a very interesting, to some extent, even great work. Barber's Symphonies stand out for their form and strict structure. Carter's First has also its own significant merits and for something quite intriguing try George Rochberg's First or Fifth Symphonies.
Parla
Sun, Jan 6 2013, 6:35PM
#9
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Barber's First Symphony is not so unfashionable these days, at least in the U.S., and there are thirteen available recordings, ranging from Bruno Walter's with the LSO to Marin Alsop's with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. As for it being "unfashionable," that is true of the neo-romantic and neoclassical music from the middle of the last century generally. So much the worse for musical fashions, which have put so much beautiful and exciting music into the shadows.
Sun, Jan 6 2013, 7:00PM
#10
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Barber wrote a good deal of absolutely first class music. His music will be remembered and played long after a great deal of the fashionable 20th century avant garde fads have rightly been put in the box marked junk. He, like every other composer (after Mozart) needs passion and commitment but then the fruits are many. Just listen to Gil Shaham in the violin concerto.
Sun, Jan 6 2013, 11:19PM
#11
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Got that Gil Shaham recording of the violin concerto. Brilliant. My favourite American symphonies would be Barber 1, Bernstein 2, Copland 3, Roy Harris 3. Schuman's are interesting and I like Walter Piston's 2, 4 and 6 on Naxos. You Americans are lucky to have some fine symphonists, in fact some great composers full stop. Will have to look up Harold Shapero!
Sun, Jan 6 2013, 11:32PM
#12
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Let's not exaggerate, Graham. The Americans have some fine Symphonists, but not that great. Some interesting stuff, some wonderful music, sometimes inspiring and exciting, but I'm not sure which of the above mentioned Symphonies is a modern (established) Classic.
As for Shapero, despite Bernstein's once promotion, I wonder who, even in US, is going to "discover" him. I have lived more than five years in US and attended numerous concerts, listen to radio programs and mingled with American musicians. Not a single mentioning of his name, let alone his glorious Symphony.
Parla
Mon, Jan 7 2013, 3:07PM
#13
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Will have to look up Harold Shapero!
Don't you mean Helen Shapiro - one of east London's finest? :-D
As a matter of interest, how often does Barber and co get played in American symphony concerts? Other correspondents suggest that US promotors venture little beyond the classics.
Mon, Jan 7 2013, 4:41PM
#14
RE: American Symphony Recordings
Barber's Violin Concerto is now part of the standard repertoire--I even heard it in Munich-- and his first symphony is played occasionally. Most of the other American symphonists have to be pursued on recordings. In this connection you might want to look at Walter Simmons' Voices in the Wilderness, and The Music of William Schuman, Vincent Persichetti, and Peter Mennin. Also of interest: Peter Dickinson's Samuel Barber Remembered.
Mon, Jan 7 2013, 4:50PM
#15
RE: American Symphony Recordings
I have lived more than five years in US and attended numerous concerts, listen to radio programs and mingled with American musicians (Parla)
Is this when you were pals with Lenny?
I have not seen the Dickinson article but I have noted in the past that Harris third is routinely reckoned to be the greatest Yankee symphony - although I prefer Copland's extravaganza for organ.
I recently downloaded a set of the Hanson symphonies (on Delos) so it will be interesting to see if any of his seven compare.
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