BBC Philharmonic Orchestra & John Wilson - Copland: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 (Symphonies) (2016) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist
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01. Symphony for Organ & Orchestra: I. Prelude
02. Symphony for Organ & Orchestra: II. Scherzo
03. Symphony for Organ & Orchestra: III. Finale
04. Orchestral Variations: Theme. Grave
05. Orchestral Variations: Vars. 1-3
06. Orchestral Variations: Vars. 4-6
07. Orchestral Variations: Vars. 7-9
08. Orchestral Variations: Var. 10
09. Orchestral Variations: Var. 11
10. Orchestral Variations: Vars. 12-13
11. Orchestral Variations: Vars. 14-17
12. Orchestral Variations: Vars. 18-20
13. Orchestral Variations: Coda. Subito lento moderato
14. Short Symphony "Symphony No. 2": I. Quarter Note = 144
15. Short Symphony "Symphony No. 2": II. Half Note = 44
16. Short Symphony "Symphony No. 2": III. Quarter Note = 144
17. Symphonic Ode: Largamente e maestoso
18. Symphonic Ode: Subito allegro
19. Symphonic Ode: Subito lento e drammatico
20. Symphonic Ode: Subito doppio movimento
21. Symphonic Ode: Più mosso molto ritmico

Following a highly successful recording of Copland’s ballet music, John Wilson, a specialist in American music, and the BBC Philharmonic present the first volume of the composer’s complete symphonic output. This unique collection of vivid and energetic pieces highlights Copland’s personal, unorthodox compositional language. The mixture of works of austerity and tense excitement ranges widely, from the twenty Orchestral Variations on an original theme (originally written for piano) to the single-movement controversial Symphonic Ode, a rhythmically complex piece written in its original incarnation for a huge orchestra including eight horns and five trumpets.

The album features also the lesser-known Short Symphony (No. 2) and early Symphony for Organ and Orchestra, in which the solo instrument throughout is closely integrated with the music of the orchestra. The organ soloist is the young Jonathan Scott. Since a highly successful Gershwin concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2014, he is increasingly acclaimed around the world for his performances of American music.

"This performance is technically superb, John Wilson’s BBC Philharmonic sounding…energised…Wilson’s brass are heroic in the closing stages, and the music’s lighter moments aren’t undersold. But the best work on this disc is the deceptively lightweight Short Symphony…transparently orchestrated, rhythmically fiendish and harmonically approachable, it gets a sharp, witty reading, Copland’s Stravinskian metre changes effortlessly handled." (The Arts Desk)

"This darkly ravishing second volume in John Wilson’s welcome Copland survey for Chandos delves into the nooks and crannies of his orchestral work to find riches aplenty…the high standard is maintained by the BBC Philharmonic throughout, evidenced in the richly textured and concentrated Orchestral Variations…the single-movement Symphonic Ode (1929, revised in 1955) is a thing of bold, bracing beauty played with spirited brio." (Classical Ear)

"Wilson obtains [a] superbly drilled and articulate response from the BBC Philharmonic…an outstanding release" (Gramophone Magazine)

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