American Tapestry
Irresistible Americana, realised with consummate skill and breathtaking sonics
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Charles T(omlinson) Griffes, William (Howard) Schuman, Walter (Hamor) Piston, Charles Ives, Alan Hovhaness
Label: Dorian
Magazine Review Date: 6/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 73
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: DOR90224
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
(The) White Peacock |
Charles T(omlinson) Griffes, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor Charles T(omlinson) Griffes, Composer Dallas Symphony Orchestra |
Symphony No. 2, 'Mysterious mountain' |
Alan Hovhaness, Composer
Alan Hovhaness, Composer Andrew Litton, Conductor Dallas Symphony Orchestra |
Orchestral Set No. 1, `Three Places in New England |
Charles Ives, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor Charles Ives, Composer Dallas Symphony Orchestra |
(The) Incredible Flutist |
Walter (Hamor) Piston, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor Dallas Symphony Orchestra Walter (Hamor) Piston, Composer |
New England Triptych |
William (Howard) Schuman, Composer
Andrew Litton, Conductor Dallas Symphony Orchestra William (Howard) Schuman, Composer |
Author: Andrew Achenbach
We kick off in exhilarating style with William Schuman's marvellous New England Triptych of 1956. Taking its cue from hymn tunes by Schuman's countryman William Billings (1746-1800), the work comprises two bustling tableaux framing a central meditation ('When Jesus wept') of exalted beauty and compassion. Next comes Charles Griffes's gorgeous
No grumbles, either, about Litton's clean-limbed, purposeful way with Alan Hovhaness's Mysterious Mountain (his Second Symphony, composed in 1955 for Stokowski and the Houston Symphony, and first recorded by Reiner in Chicago three years later - RCA, 9/95). I've always had a soft spot for this serene, yet agreeably sturdy score - and so, too, does Litton by the sound of it. Lastly, there's the crowd-pleasing concert suite that Walter Piston fashioned from his 1938 ballet score, The Incredible Flutist. It's a delectably tuneful and witty confection, crammed with indelible invention (who could fail to be seduced by the languid charms of the 'Tango of the Merchant's Daughters' or 'Siciliana'?). Rest assured, Litton and his terrific band do Piston absolutely proud.
A final word about the recording. The glorious acoustic of Dallas's Eugene McDermott Hall lends an enticing glow to a sound picture of bewitching tonal naturalness and stunning range (bass-drum fanciers will have a field-day in both outer movements of the Schuman). A classy collection indeed.
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