Aaron Copland

‘Oxalys and the New World’: in its latest CD recording, Oxalys delves into American masterpieces for chamber music ensemble. From Pulitzer Prize laureate Aaron Copland with his nature fresco Appalachian Spring to Minimal Music icon John Adams’ mythical Shaker Loops and jazz idol Wynton Marsalis’ funky and groovin’ Meeelaan. Three unknown facets of a flourishing and inspiring musical culture, as always virtuosically captured by Oxalys, the jewel of our Belgian chamber music ensembles.

Aaron Copland & Leonard Bernstein - The Composer As Performer (1997) {Pearl GEMM CD9279 rec 1933-1944}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 209 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 174 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 48 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1933-44, 1997 Pavilion Records / Pearl | GEMM CD 9279
Classical / Early 20th Century / Historical / Piano

Copland never performed other people's piano music in public, but he was an excellent player of his own music. His 1935 78s of his own spiky, wonderful Piano Variations have never been surpassed. This CD collects most of Copland's prewar 78s, adds a piano transcription of Appalachian Spring (well played by someone, but the provenance seems dubious), and concludes with Leonard Bernstein's first recording. As a program it's a bit scattered, but the individual items are important. Some of the dubs are noisy, but the sound is good enough throughout so that we can enjoy a major document of American music.

Aaron Copland - Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid & Rodeo - San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas (2005) {RCA-BMG}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 336 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 179 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 59 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2005 RCA / BMG Music | 82876-65840-2
Claccical / Contemporary Classical

I'm a big fan of Copland. His music can be dramatic, sad, joyful, and just plain fun. I also think his music is a good vehicle for personal expression of the performer/conductor. I don't think this is true for all composers–-I cringe at some interpretations of Bach–-but I usually enjoy it when a performance of Appalachian Spring or Bill the Kid contains some individual stamp that indicates the performer is really feeling and enjoying what they are doing. The combination of Copland's timeless compositions and subtle playing effects can be very sophisticated indeed.