Search - Ferde Grofe, André Kostelanetz, Leonard Bernstein :: Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite/Mississippi Suite

Classic performances

Michael Dyckman | West Orange, NJ USA | 11/10/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent, classic performances of these two works by American composer Ferde Grofe. There aren't many recordings of the Mississippi Suite available, and conductor Andre Kostelenatz conducts the New York Philharmonic this majestic and sometimes (in the final movement) light music. Likewise, the great Leonard Bernstein conducts the Philharmonic in the Grand Canyon Suite, which summons the majesty of the Grand Canyon, and includes a remarkable violin solo by John Corigliano. These are terrific performances, and available at a low price. Another solid entry is the CBS Records "Great Performances" collection."

Great Kostelanetz, awful Bernstein

Brian H. Williams | Manteca, CA United States | 07/09/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Given the fact that The Grand Canyon suite is a concert pops piece, it should be a piece of cake for Lenny to pull this off. Well, he can't, and it's terrible. The most famous movement, On The Trail, is lacking the excitement and spirit that this needs. His celeste solo is so over blown with extra accents and mannered phrasing, you realize just how self indulgent Bernstein is. Compare this to Stanley Black. His Grand Canyon is terrific. With Phase 4 engineering, great strings and plenty of spirit, he captures the mood of the piece with great verve. Skip the Bernstein tracks and just listen to Kostelanetz. The string sound he gets from the NYP is much better than Bernstein. It's hard to believe that it's the same orchestra. Even though this work is much shorter, Kostelanetz gives it his all. Daybreak is uplifting and majestic. Since this piece is rarely played, it's nice to have it on cd. Kostelanetz is the only version you'll need. Skip Bernstein and listen to Kostelanetz."

Grand Canyon Suite Review

C. Bessire | Alpine, Az. | 01/13/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While driving through the Painted Desert in Arizona on my way to NAU in Flagstaff I was listening to this CD and it just made the Painted Desert come alive. I could just picture each area of the Grand Canyon as the music came on. It was one of the most plesant drives I've taken in years. Also I was replacing a CD that had gotten stolen and I missed this mucic, so I ordered a replacement. I'm glad that I did. I danced to this mucis years ago at a ballet recital and the music had always remained with me. I really recommend playing this music as you pass through the Grand Canyon area but it's just as beautiful if you're sitting in your own living room or parlor listening to it."