Customer Rating: 
Summary: A strong version of Copland 's work
Comment: This CD contains three of Aaron Copland's more popular works: "Fanfare for the Common Man"; "Rodeo," and "Appalachian Spring." Louis Lane conducts the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and they play Copland's works well.
A few brief comments about each. "Fanfare for the Common Man" is one of my favorite fanfares. The name alone biases me in its favor. But the cadence is wonderful, beginning with percussion. Then, the soaring horn. Then percussion again. 3:14 of wondrous, powerful music. I often get goose bumps listening to this short piece. The liner notes comment that the key to this work's continuing popularity is ". . .the soaring, heroic character of its opening trumpet line. . . ."
"Rodeo" is another enjoyable work. Its four movements go from "Buckaroo Holiday" to the well known "Hoe Down.""Buckaroo Holiday" is a lively piece and will be familiar to many. It begins with a toe-tapping introduction, The final movement, "Hoe Down," has been used as a theme in advertisements put out by beef growers in the U. S, (as I recall, Robert Mitchum was one of the early pitchmen in this ad, with Copland's work backing him up). This is another fast-paced, lively piece. Its energy is maintained throughout. The title, "Hoe Down," is lived up to by the music (and by this performance) and if I could dance I'd probably get up and dance!
The final piece is the 22 minute "Appalachian Spring." The song "Simple Gifts" serves as a theme interspersed here and there. This work starts out at a slow, contemplative pace. This is a good version of Copland's composition.
All in all, this is a good version of these three works. If you like Copland, I would suspect that you would like this CD.
