If you love the music of the great American symphonists, get this disc.
John Vincent's Symphonic Poem After Descartes and Symphony in D are not only better than anything
Hanson,
Harris, and
Piston ever turned out, they are as good as the best symphonic works of the middle years of the twentieth century, as good as the symphonies of
Stravinsky,
Hindemith,
Walton, or
Martinu. That his music is as tonal as
Brahms' matters far less than that it is strongly argued, profoundly expressive, extraordinarily brilliant, and completely compelling.
Eugene Ormandy was compelled: he not only premiered the Symphony in D, he recorded it and then commissioned, premiered, and recorded the Symphonic Poem After Descartes. And apparently
Ormandy compelled the
Philadelphia Orchestra because the 1957 and 1959 recordings of the works are among the best they ever made together: virtuosic, voluptuous, and altogether virtuous. If you love the music of Victory at Sea, get this disc.
Norman Dello Joio's music for Air Power is just as bombastic, just as corny, just as patriotic, and just as instantly -- some might say irritatingly -- memorable. Albany's remastering of Columbia's original stereo recordings is at least as good as all but the very best digital recordings. ~ James Leonard, All Music Guide
