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An American Dream?

$20.99

Details

Composer
Aaron Copland, Bill Elliott, George Gershwin, Barbara Hannigan, Richard Rodgers
Artist
Barbara Hannigan, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Format
CD
Label
Alpha
Released
May 22, 2026
Catalog #
ALPHA1222
UPC
3701624512227

About

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.

Tracklist 14 tracks

  1. 1 Catfish Row - 03:52
    Track
    1
    Title
    Catfish Row -
    Duration
    03:52
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  2. 2 Clara, Clara - 03:05
    Track
    2
    Title
    Clara, Clara -
    Duration
    03:05
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  3. 3 Opening Music - Summertime - 04:05
    Track
    3
    Title
    Opening Music - Summertime -
    Duration
    04:05
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  4. 4 I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' - Hurricane Music - 04:17
    Track
    4
    Title
    I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' - Hurricane Music -
    Duration
    04:17
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  5. 5 Bess, You is My Woman Now - 04:52
    Track
    5
    Title
    Bess, You is My Woman Now -
    Duration
    04:52
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  6. 6 Picnic Scene (Oh, I can't sit down) - There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York - 05:29
    Track
    6
    Title
    Picnic Scene (Oh, I can't sit down) - There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York -
    Duration
    05:29
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  7. 7 It Ain't Necessarily So - Oh Lord, I'm on My Way 03:24
    Track
    7
    Title
    It Ain't Necessarily So - Oh Lord, I'm on My Way
    Duration
    03:24
    Composer
    George Gershwin
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  8. 8 I. Dance of the Adolescent: Lento - Molto allegro 07:56
    Track
    8
    Title
    I. Dance of the Adolescent: Lento - Molto allegro
    Duration
    07:56
    Composer
    Aaron Copland
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  9. 9 II. Dance of the Girl Who Moves as if in a Dream: Andante moderato 07:07
    Track
    9
    Title
    II. Dance of the Girl Who Moves as if in a Dream: Andante moderato
    Duration
    07:07
    Composer
    Aaron Copland
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  10. 10 III. Dance of Mockery: Allegro vivo 05:34
    Track
    10
    Title
    III. Dance of Mockery: Allegro vivo
    Duration
    05:34
    Composer
    Aaron Copland
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  11. 11 Carousel, Act I: Carousel Waltz (arr. D. Walker for orchestra) 09:14
    Track
    11
    Title
    Carousel, Act I: Carousel Waltz (arr. D. Walker for orchestra)
    Duration
    09:14
    Composer
    Richard Rodgers
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  12. 12 I. Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair? 06:11
    Track
    12
    Title
    I. Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair?
    Duration
    06:11
    Composer
    Bill Barnes, Barbara Hannigan
    Performer
    Barbara Hannigan
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  13. 13 II. An American Dream 02:26
    Track
    13
    Title
    II. An American Dream
    Duration
    02:26
    Composer
    Bill Barnes, Barbara Hannigan
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan
  14. 14 III. Don't Rain on My Parade (after J. Styne) 03:20
    Track
    14
    Title
    III. Don't Rain on My Parade (after J. Styne)
    Duration
    03:20
    Composer
    Bill Barnes, Barbara Hannigan
    Performer
    Barbara Hannigan
    Ensemble
    Göteborgs Symfoniker
    Conductor
    Barbara Hannigan