American Masterpieces (Grofé, Thomson, Gould, Copland) - Abravanel, Dorati, Gould, Utah Symphony, Minneapolis Symphony

Morton Gould
Morton Gould Symphony
Antal Dorati
Minneapolis Symphony

“Abravanel’s account highly recommendable … played with great conviction” [Thomson] “colours glowing, resonantly atmospheric ..most enjoyable” [Gould] “so vivid and atmospheric …astonishing recorded sound .. Guaracha irresistibly catchy” [Copland] “orchestral vitality and rhythmic power” (all 3 stars Penguin Guide)

Ferde Grofé – Grand Canyon Suite [31:59]
[1] Sunrise 5:26 [2] Painted Desert 5:37 [3] On the Trail 7:42
[4] Sunset 5:00 [5] Cloudburst 8:12
Utah Symphony Orchestra / Maurice Abravanel (1-5) rec 1959

Virgil Thomson – The Plow that Broke the Plains [13:57]
[6] Prelude 1:26 [7] Pastorale (Grass) 1:10 [8] Cattle 2:54
[9] Blues (Speculation) 2:35 [10] Drought 0:57 [11] Devastation 4:52
Symphony of the Air / Leopold Stokowski (6-11) rec 1961

Morton Gould – Fall River Legend [20:16]
[12] Prologue and Waltzes 3:17 [13] Elegy 3:19
[14] Church Social 3:25 [15] Hymnal Variations 4:29
[16] Cotillion 3:27 [17] Epilogue 2:16
[18] Morton Gould – Guaracha (Latin-American Symphonette)
Morton Gould and his Orchestra (12-18) rec 1960 3:13

[19] Aaron Copland – El Salon Mexico [9:42]
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra / Antal Dorati (19) rec 1957