Copland: Greatest Hits

Aaron Copland

It's okay but I dont listen to it much. I have other things I would rather listen to like Chris Isaak Lawrence Welk Bee Gees etc May 12, 2007

Best Collection of Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland is for me one of three of America's greatest composers of the 20th Century. Bernard Herrmann and Jerome Moross are the other two. Aaron Copland would have been 100 years old on November 14, 2000. In reflection I turn back to my first Copland album, "Copland's Greatest Hits." I was familiar as most people are with "Hoe Down" and that was the springboard for me. What attracted me was that distinctive "American" sound and "American" quality of the piece. This "American" sound is very present in Jerome Moross' score for the epic Western film, "The Big Country." One can also find similar influences in Bernard Herrmann's score for "The Kentuckian" and very much like Copland, Herrmann researched and interpolated regional folk songs and integrated them into his own unique style. Because I always liked film scores and also very much liked Copland's "Hoe Down" I always thought there had to be some connection with the musical approach. When I got this album and listened to "Appalachian Spring" for the first time I knew that I had discovered pure "Americana" and I have found that sound replicated in so many films. If you listen to the scores for "The Natural" or "Field of Dreams" or even recently to "Saving Private Ryan" this sound is present. This is a tribute to Copland and American music. Copland reinvented American music by giving it his unique structure. Copland's music is so simply melodic yet richly textured that it has an inherent sophistication that defines our nation. This is my favorite Copland album. That may be sentimental, but it helped me try to define a sound that I personally found moving and uplifting. I highly recommend this album of collected recordings. The recording of "Appalachian Spring" on this CD performed by the New York Philharmonic and conducted by Leonard Bernstein is my favorite recording of this piece to date.
December 21, 2005

Outstanding Collection of Copland Music

Every cut on this CD is very good. My personal favorites are "Appalacian Spring", and the "The Tender Land - Finale: The Promise of Living." I would recommend this CD to anyone who is a fan of Classical Music. November 9, 1999

Breathtaking, beautiful and aweinspiring!

This is no doubt one of the most beautiful classical CD's I have ever listened to. Copland was and is an extremely gifted composer. July 12, 1999

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