Nothing comes quite as close, musically speaking that is, to reaching at the core of America quite like the ballet Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland (1900-1990). Despite having received his formal musical training in Paris under Nadia Boulanger and living in Brooklyn, he’s the composer who captures best the “big sky country” spirit of America, especially in works like Billy the Kid, Fanfare for the Common Man, Rodeo and his score for Of Mice and Men. The “outdoorsy” and folksy feel of Appalachian Spring, typical of Copland’s open intervals and harmonic structure, have caused it to become one of the best representations of American culture. Conductor David Bernard’s relaxed tempo for the Introduction allows for the dawn’s natural unfolding, before the full-blown awakening of nature which follows. The agrestic, corn-pone manner within the Revivalist and His Flock segment comes across well here, as well as the energetic, multi-layered rhythms of the Solo Dance of the Bride. The following Meno Mosso recapitulation of the opening sequence is highly expressive as well. The brisk tempo of the Variations on a Shaker Hymn (Simple Gifts) works very well here, and the Coda, as the sun sets in the west is heartfelt, warm and highly evocative.
The expressive playing of clarinetist Jon Manasse who serves as principal and guest clarinetist for many ensembles, suits the slow and lyrical opening movement of Copland’s Clarinet Concerto extremely well. And the jazzy, jaunty feel of the fast final movement comes off naturally here, as if improvised. And overall, Jon Manasse’s tonal range from the lowest to the highest notes is always fluid and dynamically well balanced.
David Bernard applies a juste milieu tempo for the venerated Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber (1910-1981). At a timing of 8:38 it feels just right. I’ve heard recordings that clock in between 10 and 11 minutes and although grippingly sad, are pulled down by their own weight. The multi-layered balance here between the violins, violas and cellos is well done. And the loud climactic point, at the 6:00 minute mark, doesn’t screech at you like others I’ve heard. The final few bars, where Barber seems to tip his hat at the final few bars of Gustav Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, are effective without being affective.
The generally jazzy, big-city feel of Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story comes across well in this performance, especially during the “Cool-Fugue” segment. And the final Adagio in which the love story angle of this work is recapped, is finely done here. Based on the fact that the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony is considered a community orchestra, I would have to say: Well Done!
Tracklist: 1. Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 (08:31)
2. Appalachian Spring Suite: I. Very Slowly. Introduction (03:12)
3. Appalachian Spring Suite: II. Allegro (02:48)
4. Appalachian Spring Suite: III. Moderato. The Bride and Her Intended (03:26)
5. Appalachian Spring Suite: IV. Fast. The Revivalist and His Flock (03:25)
6. Appalachian Spring Suite: V. Allegro. Solo Dance of the Bride (03:08)
7. Appalachian Spring Suite: VI. Meno Mosso (02:26)
8. Appalachian Spring Suite: VII. Doppio Movimento. Variations on a Shaker Hymn (02:54)
9. Appalachian Spring Suite: VIII. Moderato. Coda (03:26)
10. Clarinet Concerto: I. Slowly and Expressively (07:01)
11. Clarinet Concerto: I. Cadenza (freely) (02:17)
12. Clarinet Concerto: II. Rather Fast (08:08)
13. Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”: I. Prologue. Allegro Moderato (04:26)
14. Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”: II. Somewhere. Adagio (03:49)
15. Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”: III. Scherzo. Vivace e leggiero (01:27)
16. Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”: IV. Mambo. Meno Presto (02:19)
17. Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”: V. Cha-Cha. Andantino con grazia (00:53)
18. Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”: VI. Meeting Scene. Meno mosso (00:46)
19. Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”: VII. Cool. Allegretto. Fugue (04:11)
20. Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”: VIII. Rumble. Molto allegro (02:16)
21. Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story”: IX. Finale. Adagio (02:50)
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