Marriner conducts the St. Martin's Orchestra
About the work: "Silent City" (composed for trumpet, English orchestra and string instruments) was composed in 1940 and was originally composed by Owen Xiao's dramatic score was adapted into a band piece in 1941. It has a strong sense of color and is often played in concerts. The record also includes works such as Barber's "Adagio" and Ives's "Third Symphony". This is a collection of American contemporary music and was rated as a three-star business card by the "Penguin Record Guide". Copland conducts the British New Philharmonic Orchestra
About the work: Most people who know Copland will not remember his "Theatre Music" and "Piano Concerto" with jazz style and French flavor. Rather, these popular works that absorbed American and Latin American folk music became his masterpieces. The United States is a country of pragmatism, and Copland's practical music written for radio, movies, and theaters spread like wildfire. "Copland Conducts Copland Works" seems to be a "popular" concert. "Our Town" expresses a kind of peace and silence rare in American music, a bit like Barber's "Adagio." "Little Red Horse" is a suite adapted from the movie soundtrack. The six pieces of music have different "images". "Mexican Salon" is a "music essay" written by Copland after visiting Mexico. The music is vibrant and has a strong local flavor, making you naturally feel as if you are with the magnanimous Mexicans. "Three Latin American Sketches" is his late work, and his warm and lively style has not diminished at all. Kunzel conducts the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
About the work: "Portrait of Lincoln" is the orchestra's score and was composed in 1942. It was written based on two American songs, one is Foster's "Horses at Camptown" and the other is the folk song "Springfield Mountain". The music is roughly divided into three sections: 1. the mysterious fate surrounding Lincoln's personality; 2. describing the background of Lincoln's life; 3. a portrait of Lincoln himself. It premiered on February 14, 1946 with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Rodinsky. This record is the sequel to "Drum and Bugle Music for Common People" and is also a collection of Copland's works. In addition to "Portrait of Lincoln", the works he collected include "Books Related to John Aaron Copeland", "Railway Ballade", "Promises While Living", "Five Old American Songs", "Black People" Folk Song Variations", "Outdoor Overture" and "Drum and Bugle Song for Ordinary People". The effect of this record is no worse than Wren's, and it is worth recommending as a repertoire for further understanding of Copland. Copland conducts the British New Philharmonic Orchestra
About the work: "The Third Symphony" was composed from 1944 to 1946 and was commissioned by Kusevitzky. It was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra on October 18, 1946. This version is Copland's experience and expression of his own work. It should be said to be the authoritative version. Therefore, it was rated as a three-star business card by the "Penguin Record Guide". In addition, the recording version with Levine conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is also very good and worth listening to. Copland conducts the British New Philharmonic Orchestra
About the work: The one-act ballet "Billy the Young Man" is the most frequently performed piece in concerts. It was composed in 1938. The plot is: On a grassland, a herdsman is riding a horse and several Mexican girls are dancing the "Yelabo" dance for fun. At this time, two drunk men had a quarrel, and everyone gathered around to watch. Billy and his mother were among them. As a result, the brawlers shot each other, and Billy's mother was killed by a stray bullet. Billy stabbed the murderer with a knife and escaped. He was later arrested and imprisoned, but escaped. In the desert, Billy was exhausted and was arrested while sleeping with his girlfriend. This CD version records the complete music of this dance drama. The record contains fiery sound and the roar of the big drums. It has been rated as "the best collection of music in the 20th century". In addition, the "Penguin Record Guide" recommends the performance version of Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic Orchestra as also very good and worth listening to.