These symphonies by two major American composers have only appeared once on vinyl in the early 1950s, then later on the same CD (Albany Troy 256). Both recordings were in mono with Eugene Ormandy helming the Philadelphia O... more »rchestra ... and they are far and away superior to these works from Koch International. While the New Zealand SO is a grand ensemble, they really have no feel for Harris's nostalgia or his kaleidoscopic textures. The Schuman fares a bit better, but it's clear that the NZSO hasn't performed either of these symphonies much, if at all. The recorded sound could also have been a little less flat overall. The Ormandy, though, was a high watermark, and it's just hard to beat Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra under any circumstances, even in mono. --Paul Cook« less
These symphonies by two major American composers have only appeared once on vinyl in the early 1950s, then later on the same CD (Albany Troy 256). Both recordings were in mono with Eugene Ormandy helming the Philadelphia Orchestra ... and they are far and away superior to these works from Koch International. While the New Zealand SO is a grand ensemble, they really have no feel for Harris's nostalgia or his kaleidoscopic textures. The Schuman fares a bit better, but it's clear that the NZSO hasn't performed either of these symphonies much, if at all. The recorded sound could also have been a little less flat overall. The Ormandy, though, was a high watermark, and it's just hard to beat Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra under any circumstances, even in mono. --Paul Cook
CD Reviews
America's best from New Zealand
Brian Ferrell | Jasper, IN USA | 11/21/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Though the performances do not equal those 50+year -old ones from Ormandy, these performers are to be saluted for their valiant efforts. It was wonderful to hear Harris's brilliant orchestrations in modern sound. The sad part is that in this country (USA) that spends countless billions and billions of dollars on cheap entertainment (football, baseball, pop "music", etc.) it takes a NEW ZEALAND orchestra to record two of our greatest symphonies. Sad."
The worst possible Harris!
Simon P. Sluijter jr. | 05/22/2002
(1 out of 5 stars)
"This is absolutely the worst possible performance of Roy Harris' Symphony #7. It doesn't even sound like Harris! If they only would have listened to Eugene Ormandy's recording of this work with the Philadelphia Orchestra (Albany TROY 256), they would have known how this symphony is supposed to be performed. That 1955 mono recording may be a little shrill, but nevertheless so much preferable to this dreadful first stereo recording of this neglected symphony."
Wonderful and Valid!
angrylemur | West Point, NY United States | 05/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The challenge in performing or recording any work already done by a master conductor is ever present. One could choose to perform it exactly the way it has been done before but that would make it an insincere and bad imitation of said work. After careful study and musical decision making resulting in a sincere attempt to realize a composer's work, mixed with fine musicians doing what they do best it becomes valid and worth hearing. This recording not only does that but is pleasing to hear. As a strong Harris fan I enjoy this recording of this symphony and count it among my top favorites of all his recorded symphonies - and I have them all. I applaud this conductor and orchestra for championing the work of a composer such as Harris. Well done!"
Not quite what it could have been, but not a disaster either
Paul Pellay | Canterbury, Kent United Kingdom | 01/23/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"These are two of the truly great American symphonies, and I would truly like to welcome this release with open arms. Given the performances, though, my rapture is somewhat modified.
The Harris gets the better performance: Keelan's grasp of this tightly-structured symphony is on a level with Ormandy, with the advantage of modern sound, and while the New Zealanders may not be quite on the same level as those fabulous Philadelphians, they do the work proud nonetheless.
Ormandy also recorded the Schuman, and here I feel the older conductor decisively rules the roost. It's not that Keelan's a bad performance, it's just that it all feels a little too careful and well-mannered, which is damaging in a work such as this, which really should live far more dangerously than it does here. Nothing's terribly wrong with the performance per se: again the New Zealanders perform admirably, and again the sound adds an impact to Schuman's highly charged symphonic argument which is anything but negligible. But with Ormandy there's a do-or-die intensity which Keelan hardly even hints at here.
For all that, though, the CD is still worth acquiring. The Harris is excellent, and as for the Schuman, it will do as a fairly good stopgap until Gerard Schwarz gets around to it on Naxos."
It's a good thing
Ernest L. Sparks | Portland, OR USA | 05/30/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As for reviewer Sluitjer's pan of this performance, just how many available recordings are there to validate a judgement of "worst possible"? To cross-compare versions of Harris symphonism practically requires sticking entirely to the over-programmed #3. I will agree that this is really Ormandy music. But I love this piece enough that I wish it would get more trials like this. I think I will keep this Keenan NZSO version along with the classic one from the 1950s. It is less emotional, but the sauce isn't quite so gooey."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1