Pasternack, St Charles Singers - Copland: Piano Concerto - The Tender Land (Suite); Old American Songs

Interesting program performed with style, but not at the highest level

Naxos didn't seize upon the best little amateur orchestra on the plains; the Elgin Symphony is a 58-year-old group in suburban Chicago that went pro in 1985. There's an abundance of musical talent in that area, as this orchestra demonstrates in its full, confident, accomplished sonority. Conductor Robert Hanson knows Copland better than Copland himself, so far as conducting goes, so from the start his version of the suite from "The Tender Land," which few besides the composer have recorded, goes to the top of the list. The opera lacks dramatic interest, but for anyone who love Copland in his cowboys-and-Shakers style, the suite fits the bill (none of the excerpts are of the caliber of his great ballets, however).

The Piano Concerto is equally populist but was composed at a higher level, and we get some dissonance and jazz to add interest. Any Copland piece that Leonard Bernstein recorded isn't likely to get a better performance. Pianist Ben Pasternak does better in the lyrical first movement than in the second, where he isn't bluesy or swinging enough. Nonetheless, he's quite good, and Naxos's big-as-all-outdoors recording adds the right atmosphere.

The "Old American Songs," as another reviewer says, received a once-in-a-lifetime recording from William Warfield (Sony), followed by a scarcely less powerful one from Thomas Hampson in his prime (Teldec). Baritone Nathaniel Staumpley has a lighter voice, and he isn't secure enough to cut loose with total abandon (he tends to wobble at loud volume), but he's enthusiastic and catches the folk idiom without retentious touches of the concert platform. It was smart to record the version Irving Fine made that includes a chorus, since it takes a lot of the burden off Staumpley. There are times, though, when conductor Hnason is too polite and the enterprise becomes a genial community sing-along.

In all, this is a real find at bargain price, even if none of the performances excetp 'The Tender Land' competes with the best. September 21, 2008

A wonder...

I admit I was prejudicial when I saw the artist line up: Elgin Symphony Orchestra (Elg...what!?) from the Elgin Community(!) College somewhere in Illinois. And all those unkwnown names listed? Well; I admit to love when I have to eat my prejudices. This is a blockbuster! Both performance and sound (who needs Telarc et al with sound like this?) are terrific. I encourage you to hold your skin tight when you hear the Finale of 'The Tender Land Suite' (The Promise of Living): true American nobility.
These people play it as if it was a live concert, with virtuosity and gusto. Everything about this disc is outstanding. Another NAXOS success worth many more dollars than the asking price.
The 'Special Thanks' note in the booklet states that [the underwriters] "feel strongly that this recording will broaden the orchestras' reach, enhance its reputation and capture the music and artistry for many generations to come." Well: BINGO! A keeper. June 3, 2008

Wonderful !

This is a well recorded, generous disc that includes three fine works by Copland. The Piano Concerto is played with great urgency by Ben Pasternack. Copland's Tender Land Suite is also a winner. The best items on this CD are the beautiful Old American Songs. Here they are recorded with soloists and a chorus. After Copland recorded this music with William Warfield there was not much reason for anybody else to try them on CD. But given the choral settings these little gems are revealed in a new light. Great playing from the Elgin Symphony and their conductor Robert Hanson. I am so glad Naxos records lesser known orchestras like these. The Elgin sounds great. I hope more CD's from them will be forthcoming. May 30, 2008

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