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Sony Masterworks

Mark O'connor: The American Seasons / Yoo, O'connor, Et Al

$11.98

Details

Composer
O'CONNOR, MARK
Artist
Mark O'Conner
Format
CD
Label
Sony Masterworks
Released
Sep 25, 2001
Catalog #
SK89660
UPC
696998966024

About

This selection is also available in Super Audio CD format.
Bluegrass violin virtuoso and composer Mark O'Connor has devoted a great deal of time to exploring classical forms in an effort to effectively meld them with American vernacular styles. THE AMERICAN SEASONS features three of his compositions that put a down-home spin on traditional classical structures. In the album's titular work, O'Connor gives a nod and a wink to Vivaldi and thematically fashions a violin concerto around the four seasons. The result is an ambitious orchestral extravaganza that blends folk, blues, and jazz with classical and gives O'Connor abundant opportunities to showcase his dazzling technique.
Unlike the Baroque master's famous ode to the natural divisions of the year, though, O'Connor's is not an evocation of climatic activity. Rather, it's a musical journey through the cycles of an American life, loaded with plenty of Texas-style fiddling. The 'Strings & Threads Suite' is O'Connor's take on the evolution of folk music on the violin in America, from jigs, reels, and waltzes, through blues, spirituals, swing, and bebop. The plaintive melody of 'Appalachia Waltz' is expanded to Coplandesque proportions in a moody arrangement for string orchestra. Scott Yoo and the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra ably assist O'Connor in his adventurous quest to merge traditions.

Tracklist 18 tracks

  1. 1 No. 1. Spring 07:39
    Track
    1
    Title
    No. 1. Spring
    Duration
    07:39
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  2. 2 No. 2. Summer 09:41
    Track
    2
    Title
    No. 2. Summer
    Duration
    09:41
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  3. 3 No. 3. Fall 05:50
    Track
    3
    Title
    No. 3. Fall
    Duration
    05:50
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  4. 4 No. 4. Winter 14:36
    Track
    4
    Title
    No. 4. Winter
    Duration
    14:36
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  5. 5 I. Fair Dancer Reel 01:17
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Fair Dancer Reel
    Duration
    01:17
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  6. 6 II. Sailor's Jig 00:48
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Sailor's Jig
    Duration
    00:48
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  7. 7 III. Captain's Jig 00:42
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Captain's Jig
    Duration
    00:42
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  8. 8 IV. Off to Sea 00:56
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Off to Sea
    Duration
    00:56
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  9. 9 V. Pilgrim's Waltz 01:20
    Track
    9
    Title
    V. Pilgrim's Waltz
    Duration
    01:20
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  10. 10 VI. Road to Appalachia 00:57
    Track
    10
    Title
    VI. Road to Appalachia
    Duration
    00:57
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  11. 11 VII. Shine On 02:07
    Track
    11
    Title
    VII. Shine On
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  12. 12 VIII. Cotton Pickin' Blues 01:45
    Track
    12
    Title
    VIII. Cotton Pickin' Blues
    Duration
    01:45
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  13. 13 IX. Pickin' Parlor Rag 01:03
    Track
    13
    Title
    IX. Pickin' Parlor Rag
    Duration
    01:03
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  14. 14 X. Queen of the Cumberland 01:13
    Track
    14
    Title
    X. Queen of the Cumberland
    Duration
    01:13
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  15. 15 XI. Texas Dance Hall Blues 01:09
    Track
    15
    Title
    XI. Texas Dance Hall Blues
    Duration
    01:09
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  16. 16 XII. Swing 00:57
    Track
    16
    Title
    XII. Swing
    Duration
    00:57
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  17. 17 XIII. Sweet Suzanne 01:15
    Track
    17
    Title
    XIII. Sweet Suzanne
    Duration
    01:15
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Performer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo
  18. 18 Appalachia Waltz (arr. E. Meyer for orchestra) 06:49
    Track
    18
    Title
    Appalachia Waltz (arr. E. Meyer for orchestra)
    Duration
    06:49
    Composer
    Mark O'Connor
    Ensemble
    The Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Scott Yoo