Ernest Bloch, Aaron Copland, Robert Dauber, Eric Zeisl ZINA SCHIFF, violin CAMERON GRANT

“[MUSICWEB CD OF THE MONTH] [This] is a disc that whilst it is melancholic at times, also celebrates Jewish dance rhythms, with the result being one of real enjoyment... [Zeisl's Brandeis Sonata] is a powerful and thought-provoking work, in which the Jewish character comes to the fore brilliantly. Both Zeisl works receive their premiere recordings here, and it’s about time. [Copland's Sonata] has received some fine recordings in the past, not least those by Isaac Stern and Gil Shaham [but] this new recording more than stands its ground with its illustrious counterparts... This is a well conceived and executed disc.
SCHIFF BIO MSR CLASSICS

The performances by Zina Schiff and Cameron Grant are first rate and they are captured in quite a natural and well balanced acoustic... this is a disc well worth exploring, not least for the Zeisl Sonata, which truly deserves to be better known, and for which we should be thankful to MSR Classics as well as Schiff and Grant for bringing it to our attention.”

 

AARON COPLAND 1900 - 1990

Aaron Copland (/ˌærən ˈkoʊplənd/; November 14, 1900 – December 2, 1990) was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. Instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, in his later years he was often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers" and is best known to the public for the works he wrote in the 1930s and 1940s in a deliberately accessible style often referred to as Populist and which the composer labeled his "vernacular" style.[1] Works in this vein include the ballets Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid and Rodeo, his Fanfare for the Common Man and Third Symphony. The open, slowly changing harmonies of many of his works are archetypical of what many people consider to be the sound of American music, evoking the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit. In addition to his ballets and orchestral works, he produced music in many other genres including chamber music, vocal works, opera and film scores. wikipedia

Buy Copland Cds and Books here:

AARON COPLAND

AARON COPLAND

 The Red Pony, one of the great film scores of all time, and a glorious work that for some reason seldom gets played live. Copland's invention is of exceptionally high quality throughout, and once again you can hear from the unusual freshness of the opening bars how effortlessly Falletta and the Buffalo players get into the spirit of the music. There are so many delightful moments, from the raucous Circus Music to the unforgettable Walk to the Bunkhouse, a piece that has become the very essence of musical Americana. Finally, it's great to see one of the very popular pieces, like Rodeo, coupled with some less ubiquitous examples of Copland's genius. A wonderful disc! David Hurwitz