Oracle Sisters Rodeo

In addition to his lifelong dedication to the Academy of St Martin in the Fields which he founded himself, Neville Marriner was appointed principal conductor of various orchestras, notably the Minnesota Orchestra where he succeeded to Stanisław Skrowaczewski. During his 7-year long mandate, he recorded two albums for EMI, including this program devoted to the music of Aaron Copland, highlighting the ballet suites excerpted from his most popular works inspired by American culture and folklore, Rodeo and Appalachian Spring.

Happy is the composer who has an advocate as passionate and talented as Leonard Bernstein. These Copland performances have been the preferred versions since they were first issued–better even than the composer's own, later recordings. Originally they were spread over two discs, but thanks to the extended playing time of the compact disc, you can now get all three great Copland ballets together, along with the ever popular Fanfare for the Common Man. Bernstein brings to this music the right sharpness of rhythm but also a typically open-hearted warmth. He coaxes a virtuoso response from the New York Philharmonic, which knows this music as well (or better) than anyone. Self- recommending. –David Hurwitz

Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man; Appalachian Spring (Suite): Rodeo (Four Dance Episodes); Billy the Kid (Ballet Suite)
New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein conductor
Classical | 1 CD | EAC Rip | 300 MB (3% recovery) | FLAC+LOG+Cue | Full scans | RS links
Publisher: CBS Masterworks | Recorded: 1695 | Published: 1987

Editorial Reviews - Amazon.com Essential Recording
Happy is the composer who has an advocate as passionate and talented as Leonard Bernstein. These Copland performances have been the preferred versions since they were first issued–better even than the composer's own, later recordings… Bernstein brings to this music the right sharpness of rhythm but also a typically open-hearted warmth. He coaxes a virtuoso response from the New York Philharmonic, which knows this music as well (or better) than anyone. Self- recommending. –David Hurwitz

Just four years after releasing the brilliant DVD In Stereovision, Blue Rodeo delve back into the medium for a fascinating look inside the life of Canada's best band. Featuring an acoustic live set (spotlighting the intimate opening half of their Small Miracles tour chronicled at Massey Hall in Toronto February 29, 2008) and a surreal "documentary" that chronicles the band jamming on brand new songs from Greg Keelor's home, the DVD is a tour de force by itself, capturing the most intimate thoughts of the bandmembers and showcasing why they remain one of Canada's most popular bands. But the CD accompaniment is worth the price of admission alone…

The last time cellist Yo-Yo Ma teamed with bassist Edgar Meyer and mandolin player Chris Thile (of Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers fame) for a classical/bluegrass hybrid, the result was the gold-selling Songs of Joy & Peace. Here, Ma, Meyer, and Thile are joined by fiddler Stuart Duncan in a different kind of string quartet.

Small Miracles is the eleventh studio album released by Canadian country rock band Blue Rodeo, released on September 25, 2007. Although Small Miracles did not produce any high charting singles, such as 1990's "Til I Am Myself Again" which reached number 19 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, critical reception was generally positive. Allmusic marveled that the album "sounds this consistently fresh and inspired coming 20 years after Blue Rodeo's debut." The first single, C'mon, peaked at number 68 on the Canadian Hot 100. Although the second single, 3 Hours Away, did not chart, the following single, This Town, did.