|
Barber / Copland / Higdon / Theofanidis
Robert Spano, Conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Telarc Records, 2003
(Chris Theofanidis’ Website)
(Jennifer Higdon’s Website)
Nikolas J. Lund
January 22, 2007
Here we have another highly diverse release from Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The music on this release is contemporary across the board, juxtaposing the music of those we might call the “grandfathers” of modern American Populism (Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber) with their very offspring as embodied in new works from Christopher Theofanidis (Rainbow Body) and Jennifer Higdon(blue cathedral).
There are certainly moments in Theofanidis Rainbow Body which recall the more unabashedly romantic variations within Copland’s Appalachian Spring, which is indeed the third track on the disc. In all honesty I have never heard strings sound so lush in such a way as in this curious work from Theofanidis and been able to say at the same time that the music, which they are playing, is so richly deserving of this sound. The melodies here seem to float always just at the edge, and yet they yield a forward momentum in a development that keeps our delighted ears listening for more.
Barber’s First Symphony and the Appalachian Spring on this disc both benefit from the same excellent playing and recording as the rest of the disc. Admittedly, Barber’s works are not always necessarily at the center of my radar, and I have long since given up knowing how one should go about sorting through all the interpretations of a “lollypop” like the Appalachian. But given their pairing here with new works which one would be almost guaranteed to hear nowhere else, the recordings of these older classics on this disc are highly recommended.
Jennifer Higdon’s work at the end of the disc presents a satisfying last stop on this a-historical American trajectory. Her work is, like the others on the disc, fully cognizant of a very modern language, existing entirely on its own terms. Yet this work refuses entirely to surrender its lyrical force, allowing its broad and rather religious lines to speak to us unambiguously.
See Broadway shows this year such as the award winning Wicked Tickets, or other hot shows like Jersey Boys and Young Frankenstein which is coming soon. Or perhaps a concert is your fancy, better get your Hannah Montana Tour Tickets now before they sell out.
|
