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Harris: Symphony No 11; Moore: Symphony No 2; Gould: Cowboy Rhapsody


Release Date: 09/09/2008 
Label:  Albany Records   Catalog #: 1042   Spars Code: n/a 
Composer:  Morton Gould,  Roy Harris,  Cecil Effinger,  Douglas Moore
Conductor:  Ian Hobson
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Sinfonia Varsovia
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 1 Hours 9 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

This is a hybrid Super Audio CD playable on both regular and Super Audio CD players.

This is a terrific collection. Morton Gould's Cowboy Rhapsody uses some of the same material that Aaron Copland worked into his ballet Rodeo, and it's every bit as entertaining. Why the piece isn't a pops concert standard is anyone's guess. Roy Harris' Eleventh Symphony adopts the single-movement form of his more famous Third Symphony. The opening, with prominent solo piano, is really arresting, and an eventful 20 minutes ensues. Like much late Harris, the piece makes an impression that can only be described as "clunky", sort of like a modern American Bruckner if you can imagine such a thing, and like Bruckner you'll either like it Read more or hate it. This sympathetic and well-played performance makes an excellent case for the piece.

Cecil Effinger (1914-90) was based in Colorado, and his Little Symphony No. 2 of 1945 does everything that a work by an appealing minor talent should: it offers charming tunes, skillfully arranged, and leaves you wanting more. On the other hand, Douglas Moore's Second Symphony (1945) is a work of considerable substance, and a gem of American neo-classicism. Attractively scored and full of distinctive ideas (the scherzo is marvelous), it's played with welcome enthusiasm and freshness by Ian Hobson and the Sinfonia Varsovia. Only a bit of rhythmic unsteadiness from the strings in the finale betrays the players' unfamiliarity with the music. Warm sonics, typically full and focused, complement this wholly winning release.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording

1.
Cowboy Rhapsody by Morton Gould
Conductor:  Ian Hobson
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Sinfonia Varsovia
Period: 20th Century 
Written: USA 
 Length: 13 Minutes 35 Secs. 
2.
Symphony no 11 by Roy Harris
Conductor:  Ian Hobson
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Sinfonia Varsovia
Period: 20th Century 
Written: USA 
 Length: 21 Minutes 57 Secs. 
3.
Little Symphony no 1, Op. 31 by Cecil Effinger
Conductor:  Ian Hobson
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Sinfonia Varsovia
Period: 20th Century 
Written: USA 
 Length: 12 Minutes 43 Secs. 
4.
Symphony no 2 in A Major by Douglas Moore
Conductor:  Ian Hobson
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Sinfonia Varsovia
Period: 20th Century 
Written: USA 
 Length: 19 Minutes 6 Secs. 

Featured Sound Samples

Cowboy Rhapsody (Gould)
Little Symphony no 1 (Effinger): II. Presto

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Terrific Gathering of Great Mid-Century American  August 16, 2012 By Paul Cook (Tempe, AZ) See All My Reviews "This gathering of fine mid-century American romanticism will delight just about any fan of American classical music. I bought this for the Harris but really found greater delight in the Moore symphony. The Sinfonia Varsovia handles the Moore and the Gould works quite well, but there are some dicey moments in the middle sections of the Harris symphony where uncertainty appears in the choral horns. Still, it's a great work--and brief. (I would give this recording 5 stars but for the uncertainty in the Harris. This has more to do with the orchestra's unfamiliarity with performing Harris.) Still, the sound is superb and this disc is worth anyone's time and money." Report Abuse
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