Aaron Copland’s little-known opera The Tender Land takes place on a farm in the American South during the Depression. The composer later wrote, “I was trying to give young American singers material that they do not often get in the opera house... The result was closer to musical comedy than grand opera.” The suite that Copland extracted from The Tender Landis in three movements, with the second and third linked without pause. The 1926 Piano Concerto, like Gershwin’s Concerto of the previous year, is a 1920s “New York” piece – brassy, exuberant, ever confident in its bluesy swagger. Copland composed two sets of Old American Songs, originally for voice and piano but heard here transcribed for chorus and orchestra.
Copland, Aaron
The Tender Land Suite
1 I. Introduction and Love Music 10:11
2 II. Party Scene 04:56
3 III. Finale: The Promise of Living 05:32
Piano Concerto
4 I. Andante sostenuto 07:11
5 II. Molto moderato, Allegro assai 09:44
Copland, Aaron
Traditional - Lyricist
Fine, Irving - Arranger
Old American Songs I (arr. I. Fine for chorus)
6 I. The Boatmen's Dance 03:25
7 II. The Dodger 02:24
8 III. Long Time Ago 03:03
9 IV. Simple Gifts 01:30
10 V. I Bought me a Cat 02:23
Copland, Aaron
Koponen, Glenn - Arranger
Fine, Irving - Arranger
Wilding-White, Raymond - Arranger
Traditional - Lyricist
Lowry, Robert - Lyricist
Old American Songs II (arr. for chorus)
11 I. The Little Horses (arr. R. Wilding-White) 02:53
12 II. Zion's Walls (arr. G. Koponen) 02:03
13 III. The Golden Willow Tree 03:40
14 IV. At The River (arr. R. Wilding-White) 03:04
15 V. Ching-a-ring Chaw (arr. I. Fine) 01:44
Total Playing Time: 01:03:43
