| Review by analogue April 16, 2009 (3 of 5 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics:  |
There are many performances of these pieces around but I happen to prefer this sacd to all of them. Primarily because in 1970 Copland recorded what I believe to be the definitive versions of his own work with the London Symphony Orchestra. I have several other versions of these recordings on sacd (bernstein and rca living stereo) and even though both compete soundwise to this one (maybe even surpassing it) it is Copelands own performance of his own work that makes all the difference in the world.
The music is basically "Americana" in feel and this style of music has found its way into many a film soundtrack to be sure. If you,ve watched famous hollywood westerns you will recognize how the film composers borrowed from Copland. But that is not to say that the music is passe or contrived. It is not. The music is so enjoyable and moving that it's really hard to find the words to express how one feels when entranced by the sound and style of Coplands work. Emotionally, if you are a sensitive listener....you will be able to FEEL many different emotions while listening to the different pieces.
This sacd is stereo only and the original tapes contain a little hiss and wear but overall the recording while not being the very best for sound fidelity is still pretty impressive. As I mentioned earlier perhaps Bernstien's and the rca ones have better overall sound but they are no where near as good performance wise. The sound stage of this sacd is very very wide, the hall reverberations can be heard easily, the different musical instruments stand out in relief and the performance is simply the very best I have ever heard.
Really outstanding, alive, energetic and explosive. Copland builds tension thoughout until he;s ready to unleash.
Copland should know his own work and how it was to be conveyed better than any one else.
Highly recommended. Excellent sound and classic performance. This is great music by an inventive, original and imaginative modern composer.
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| Review by canonical February 8, 2011 (4 of 6 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
This is a single-layer Sony SACD, which means, of course, that one cannot readily compare to the usual CD layer.
Fortunately, I happen to have the exact same recording of Appalachian Spring on redbook … Copland conducting the same London Symphony, Nov 1970 … Indeed, my redbook version is produced from the very same DSD master … just downsampled to CD. The only difference is that the compilation of other works on the CD version is slightly different.
To get to the point: The sonics of the SACD and the CD are like chalk and cheese.
I know the CD very well, and I noticed the difference immediately when playing the SACD … you only have to listen to the first 30 seconds … the strings sound rich and warm on the SACD, my ears pricked up, the the edge of my mouth curled up in a smile … and then the harps start plucking … "Can this be the same", I asked? Headed back to the CD - swapped discs over … put on Appalachian Spring again … CD version sounds like the SACD version has been rubbed with gritty sandpaper and left brittle and harsh.
I am seriously impressed. I only wish they had included "Old American Songs" with William Warfield on the SACD!!
Highly recommended and simply fabulous by comparison to the CD!
Performance:5
Sonics: 5
Stereo (no mc)
Recording resolution: Analogue 1968, 1969, 1970 (analogue direct to DSD)
Superjewel box: Nope - early Sony release predating the Superjewel box
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