An American Dream?

$20.99
Label
Alpha
Release Date
May 22, 2026
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      Aaron Copland, Bill Elliott, George Gershwin, Barbara Hannigan, Richard Rodgers
    • PERFORMER
      Barbara Hannigan, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      May 22, 2026
    • UPC
      3701624512227
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      ALPHA1222
    • LABEL
      Alpha
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Classical
    Works ⌄

    1. Catfish Row -

      Composer: George Gershwin

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    2. Clara, Clara -

      Composer: George Gershwin

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    3. Opening Music - Summertime -

      Composer: George Gershwin

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    4. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' - Hurricane Music -

      Composer: George Gershwin

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    5. Bess, You is My Woman Now -

      Composer: George Gershwin

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    6. Picnic Scene (Oh, I can't sit down) - There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York -

      Composer: George Gershwin

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    7. It Ain't Necessarily So - Oh Lord, I'm on My Way

      Composer: George Gershwin

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    8. I. Dance of the Adolescent: Lento - Molto allegro

      Composer: Aaron Copland

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    9. II. Dance of the Girl Who Moves as if in a Dream: Andante moderato

      Composer: Aaron Copland

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    10. III. Dance of Mockery: Allegro vivo

      Composer: Aaron Copland

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    11. Carousel, Act I: Carousel Waltz (arr. D. Walker for orchestra)

      Composer: Richard Rodgers

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    12. I. Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair?

      Composer: Bill Barnes, Barbara Hannigan

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Performer: Barbara Hannigan

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    13. II. An American Dream

      Composer: Bill Barnes, Barbara Hannigan

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan

    14. III. Don't Rain on My Parade (after J. Styne)

      Composer: Bill Barnes, Barbara Hannigan

      Ensemble: Göteborgs Symfoniker

      Performer: Barbara Hannigan

      Conductor: Barbara Hannigan


With 'An American Dream?', Barbara Hannigan explores the concept of The American Dream. "I grew up in awe of America. I am still in awe, but largely in a nostalgic way. With this repertoire, I want to express my admiration for the incredible creativity and tenacity of composers who shaped a musical language that was truly their own." The Canadian conductor and soprano collaborates with her long-term partners, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, on this programme of works by American composers. With 'the fair' as a recurring theme across the repertoire, the image on the cover shows a carousel horse that is at a standstill. A pretty, painted object - but the floor is cracked and half the lights are burned out. Nostalgia and memory are mixed with underlying darkness and destruction. From George Gershwin's masterpiece Porgy and Bess - an opera about love, addiction, racism, and hope - Robert Russell Bennett's iconic arrangement of A Symphonic Picture is featured. Inspired by watching the silent film Nosferatu, Aaron Copland composed the vibrant Dance Symphony. The Carousel Waltz (arr. Don Walker) is the overture to the Broadway musical Carousel by Richard Rodgers. For the grand finale, Barbara Hannigan reunites with American composer and arranger Bill Elliott in their joint creation, At the Fair, a suite which includes a multitude of American songs and themes, including Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair? and Jule Styne's famous hit Don't Rain on my Parade.