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Aaron Copland: The Essence of America [Box Set] | ![Aaron Copland: The Essence of America [Box Set]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51phU7M8AGL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Creators: Aaron Copland, Michael Tilson Thomas, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Garrick Ohlsson
Label: RCA
Category: Music
List Price: $29.98
Buy New: $19.66
You Save: $10.32 (34%)
New (6) Used (4) from $15.99
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 23920
Format: Box Set
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 090266372027
EAN: 0090266372027
ASIN: B00004WFNM
Release Date: September 12, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
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| Tracks:
Disc 1
| • | Andante sostenuto | | • | Molto moderato; Allegro assai | | • | Incisivo | | • | Espressivo | | • | Presto e ritmico |
Disc 2
| • | Buckaroo Holiday | | • | Corral Nocturne | | • | Saturday Night Waltz | | • | Hoe Down |
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| Customer Reviews:
 I really appreciated the background November 29, 2008
KTFaye (Orange County, CA)
I really enjoyed this set. I'm the kind of geek that always wants as much background knowledge as possible as it really enhances my enjoyment and understand of an artistic piece. (I love liner notes, editorial comments and dvd extras!) So with this in mind, I was happy to see all of the "discussion" tracks listed on the CDs and really enjoyed listening to the commentary about the composer and the compositions and then hearing the excerpts of pieces that had been discussed. (Although I understand that for someone who knows all of this might prefer to purchase just the individual works without the commentary disks).
For me, the other disks in the set that are music only were all the more enjoyable because of the discussion. I can't say that I'm a huge fan of the modernist works, but at least I understand them better because of the commentary and I'm glad I hear it. But as a fan of Copeland, it was a change to really understand his work better and all the better that it was told by MTT, a man who actually knew him.
 Aaron Copland: The Essence of America Box Set November 22, 2008
Deborah S. Christian (Avondale, AZ United States)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Two of the CD's have interviews with conductors and other musicians. I didn't like that I was listening to music one minute and a lecture the next. I felt that should have been explained in the description of the product.
The Music is Beautiful, but the Extras are Priceless February 20, 2006
Anthony Toohey (King City, CA USA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
Michael Tilson Thomas has long been known to have had a happy and fruitful relationship with the great Aaron Copland. His intimate knowledge of Copland's music and heart are evident in these recordings. The second symphony and the Appalachian Ballet(! as opposed to suite, which leaves out a very gorgeous, mysterious movement) are gorgeously rendered, as is the inimitable Fanfare for the Common Man. Billy the Kid is always a delight, of course. The Orchestral Variations are so invigoratingly different from what most people think of when they think of Copland, and this rendering is lively and precise. If I had one complaint, and it is a small one, it would be that I had a hard time with this interpretation of Rodeo, which didn't seem to find it's rhythm and gallop the way I'm used to. Still good, but I've heard better.
But for me, an aspiring composer, the thing that puts this set over the top is the absolutely delightful commentary on the contents of the set by MTT. Not only do you get to hear a wonderful history lesson, but MTT obviously has a light, joyous love of music, and particularly that of Copland, that is infectious and inspiring. After hearing the commentary, I found myself much more deeply involved in the second listening of the set. I must disagree with the reviewer who compared MTT with Bernstein, not that one has more "quality" than the other, but that such a comparison has any merit or point in the first place. They are two very different people. MTT's commentary makes this set a must-have for Music lovers and especially for Copland aficionados.
 It's not Bernstein and never will be September 21, 2005
Santa Fe listener
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
Tilson Thomas flirted briefly with trying to be the next Bernstein but luckily has gone his own way. He is not a fiery or driven conductor--one can't say of him that he is possessed by music, a phrase Bernstien used about himself. In these Copland recordings he certainly conducts well, but the spirit of Copland seems lost among the careful detailing. This should be simple music to conduct but somehow only Bernstein catches the rollicking joy, the democratic dance rhythms, and the underlying sophistication at the same time. These readings strike me as too sophisticated by half, although they are in great sound.
Aaron Copland: The Essence of America June 23, 2003
Ryan Hepburn (Cambridge University, UK)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Having heard MTT perform Copland live and with astounding impact I was delighted with this set. MTT's perfomances are exciting and have alot of insight. The 'Modernist' CD is perhaps a little dry compared with the 'Populist' one but the two compliment each other well as a result. MTT's comments as an interpreter and friend of Copland are invaluable and provide an accurate and lively interpretation of the composer's music. He delivers his words with great enthusiasm and clarity and his 'scat' singing on the disk is not to be missed!.. All in all this is a great box set and every Copland fan/student should have it. I hope it's not too long before MTT releases a recording of the 3rd Symphony - if it turned out like this set then we would have another definitive Copland recording.
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