Morton Gould - Copland: Billy the Kid; Rodeo; Grofe: Grand Canyon Suite [Hybrid SACD]

Title: Copland: Billy the Kid; Rodeo; Grofe: Grand Canyon Suite [Hybrid SACD] Artist: Morton Gould Release Date: 2006 Label: Rca Red Seal Duration: 78:00 Album Type(s): performer(s) biography, Special essay (music history, styles, etc.), composition (work) description, SACD (Super Audio CD), Plot synopsis/story UPC: 828766790429 Genre: Orchestral Music Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 1 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Billy the Kid, orchestral suite from the ballet
   - Introduction: The Open Prairie
2. Billy the Kid, orchestral suite from the ballet
   - Street in a Frontier Town
3. Billy the Kid, orchestral suite from the ballet
   - Mexican Dance and Finale
4. Billy the Kid, orchestral suite from the ballet
   - Prairie Night: Card Game
5. Billy the Kid, orchestral suite from the ballet
   - Gun Battle
6. Billy the Kid, orchestral suite from the ballet
   - Celebration: After Billy's Capture
7. Billy the Kid, orchestral suite from the ballet
   - Billy's Death
8. Billy the Kid, orchestral suite from the ballet
   - The Open Prairie (reprise)
9. Billy the Kid, ballet
   - Waltz
10. Rodeo, selections from the ballet (including "Four Dance Episodes")
    - Buckaroo Holiday
11. Rodeo, selections from the ballet (including "Four Dance Episodes")
    - Corral Nocturne
12. Rodeo, selections from the ballet (including "Four Dance Episodes")
    - Honky Tonk Interlude
13. Rodeo, selections from the ballet (including "Four Dance Episodes")
    - Saturday Night Waltz
14. Rodeo, selections from the ballet (including "Four Dance Episodes")
    - Hoe-Down
15. Grand Canyon Suite, for orchestra
    - Sunrise
16. Grand Canyon Suite, for orchestra
    - Painted Desert
17. Grand Canyon Suite, for orchestra
    - On the Trail
18. Grand Canyon Suite, for orchestra
    - Sunset
19. Grand Canyon Suite, for orchestra
    - Cloudburst

Is it subtle? No. Is it nuanced? No. Is it sweet and tender or demur and lovely? No, no, no, and no. Why should it be? How could it be? After all, the music on this disc is Copland's rough, tough, and ready-for-action Billy the Kid and Rodeo Suites coupled with Grofé's big, bold, and exceedingly blunt Grand Canyon Suite: why should it be anything but large and loud and colorful and characterful? And, after all, the performances are by Morton Gould -- a conductor of considerable skill and unbridled enthusiasm -- and the ensemble known as His Orchestra -- a band of hot-shot New York studio players of consummate technique and unrestrained attitude: why should it be anything but adroit and polished and powerful and passionate? And, most of all, the original recordings were taped by John Pfeiffer (with Joseph Habig in the Grofé) for RCA's Living Stereo series and more vivid and immediate recordings would be hard to imagine -- although some early Black Sabbath records do come close. For listeners who look forward to being knocked into the middle of next week, this disc can't be beat. The inclusion of the Waltz from the complete Billy the Kid ballet is a welcome bonus. ~ James Leonard, All Music Guide

Name Credits Daniel Guss Reissue Producer Dirk Sobotka Engineer Elizabeth A. Wright Editorial Supervision John Newton Liner Notes John Pfeiffer Producer Joseph Habig Liner Notes Lewis Layton Engineer Mark Donahue Mastering Engineer Morton Gould Conductor Morton Gould & His Orchestra Orchestra Rosalyn Krokover Liner Notes Sara Foldenauer Photography Tim Schumacher Series Coordinator