Composer: Aaron Copland
Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Marin Alsop
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Naxos
Release: 2008
Size: 506 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 1
01. I. Prelude: Andante
02. II. Scherzo: Molto allegro
03. III. Finale: Lento
Symphony No. 2 ‘Short Symphony’
04. I. quarter note = 144
05. II. half note = 44
06. III. quarter note = 144
Dance Symphony
07. I. Dance of the Adolescent: Lento – Molto allegro
08. II. Dance of the Girl Who Moves as if in a Dream: Andante moderato
09. III. Dance of Mockery: Allegro vivo
Recorded: 30-31 March 2007
Recording Venue: The Concert Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset, UK
This second Naxos disc of Copland Symphonies (No. 3 is available on 8.559106) opens with Symphony No. 1, an arrangement of the 1924 Symphony for Organ and Orchestra. Copland was especially fond of his Short Symphony (Symphony No. 2) on account of its complex, irregular rhythms and clear textures.
The so-called Dance Symphony, described by the composer as ‘a large symphonic work’ (hence the Symphony title), is derived from his early vampire ballet Grohg, inspired by the 1921 German expressionist film Nosferatu. Copland wrote: ‘If the first movement is thin, dainty and pointed, the second movement is songful and sustained. The third movement is characterized by violence and syncopation.’
“[Marin Alsop’s] typecasting as an interpreter of the American symphonists is warranted.” Philadelphia Inquirer