Copland: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 - Ballets / Wilson, BBC Philharmonic

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Andrew Litton’s recent recording of Copland’s Billy the Kid and Rodeo with the Colorado Symphony (BIS, 1/16) was notable for offering the rarely performed complete versions of the ballets. John Wilson, in the first in a series of Copland’s orchestral music for Chandos, opts for the slightly shorter suites as well as that of Appalachian Spring. In doing so, Wilson comes into direct competition with Tilson Thomas and Bernstein, not to mention the composer himself. However, none of these recordings, not even BIS’s excellent multi-channel production for Litton, matches the spaciousness, transparency, and weight of the sound on the new Chandos disc. It’s the finest-sounding recording to have come my way for some time.

REVIEW:

Wilson’s performances are similarly impressive, and he secures superb playing from the BBC Philharmonic. The three ballets receive strongly characterized interpretations, as piquant and affecting in the slower passages as they are punchy and ebullient in the faster ones. The poignancy and rapture of the quieter episodes of Appalachian Spring are also strongly conveyed. I enjoyed listening to this disc enormously.

– Gramophone



Product Description:


  • Release Date: February 16, 2016


  • Catalog Number: CHSA 5164


  • UPC: 095115516423


  • Label: Chandos


  • Number of Discs: 1


  • Period: 20th Century


  • Composer: Aaron Copland


  • Conductor: John Wilson


  • Orchestra/Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra



Works:


  1. Fanfare for the Common Man

    Composer: Aaron Copland

    Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic

    Conductor: John Wilson


  2. El Salón México

    Composer: Aaron Copland

    Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic

    Conductor: John Wilson


  3. Billy the Kid: Suite

    Composer: Aaron Copland

    Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic

    Conductor: John Wilson


  4. Appalachian Spring: Suite

    Composer: Aaron Copland

    Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic

    Conductor: John Wilson


  5. Rodeo - 4 Dance Episodes

    Composer: Aaron Copland

    Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic

    Conductor: John Wilson