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Copland: Symphony No 3, Quiet City / Bernstein, New York Po


Release Date: 10/25/1990 
Label:  Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog #: 419170   Spars Code: DDD 
Composer:  Aaron Copland
Performer:  Thomas Stacy,  Philip Smith
Conductor:  Leonard Bernstein
Orchestra/Ensemble:  New York Philharmonic
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 0 Hours 55 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

Copland intended this symphony as a 'grand gesture' and there is no doubt at any point in Bernstein's performance that a big statement is being made: there is passionate earnestness in the opening movement and tremendous impact to the brass and drums at the beginning of the scherzo, the central mood of the andantino is one of vibrant intensity, while the finale is a public address of great splendour. Even the innocent simplicity, rather Appalachian Spring-like with which the trio section opens soon gives way to heartfelt rather than intimately confiding strings, and full-voiced vehemence follows hard upon the bright glitter of the scherzo's return. All the more effective, then, the chill pallor of the violins ushering in the slow movement Read more and the lovely, quiet solemnity of the finale's long-delayed 'third subject', but I could have done with more such moments, and suspect that they could readily be found in a symphony that is not all confidence and majestic optimism.

It is not that Bernstein ignores ambiguities, shadows and uncertainties, but that he projects them, too, as public, slightly histrionic gestures.

However, it is undoubtedly the 'positive' aspects of the work that have made its reputation, and they could hardly be more eloquently stated: the dance-like rhythms are crisp and springy, the Fanfare for the common man, quoted in its entirety as an earnest of the grandeur of the finale's gestures, is magnificently sonorous and the noble conclusion of the work is vastly impressive. Quiet City is given a no less deeply felt reading; again, the vibrato of the solo trumpet and the soft richness of the strings in their fuller pages struck me as very slightly over-acted.

The symphony was recorded at a public concert (before an exceptionally well-trained or uncommonly healthy audience: not a cough is to be heard) and the sound has plenty of power and edge but not quite enough richness to the bass; high strings sometimes take on a dazzling glare. The much more reticently scored Quiet City, made in the studio, has no such problems.

-- Michael Oliver, Gramophone [11/1986]
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Works on This Recording

1. Quiet City by Aaron Copland
Performer:  Thomas Stacy (English Horn), Philip Smith (Trumpet)
Conductor:  Leonard Bernstein
Orchestra/Ensemble:  New York Philharmonic
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1939; USA 
2. Symphony no 3 by Aaron Copland
Conductor:  Leonard Bernstein
Orchestra/Ensemble:  New York Philharmonic
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1944-1946; USA 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Wow! January 19, 2013 By Michael Gast (New York, NY) See All My Reviews "This is Lenny and Copland at their best! What an extraordinarily powerful symphony. This is a great performance by any standard and makes me miss Bernstein even more. It's a live performance and the recorded sound does not have as much presence as I would like, but it is stunning nonetheless. Very moving and memorable." Report Abuse
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