Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man

This programme contains a representative collection of important works written between 1901 and 2000. This period is sometimes thought of as the era of ‘modern’ music, when composers sought to break free from the Romantic styles of the 19th century by experimenting with daring new harmonies and forms, but much of the music written after 1900 still harked back to the familiar style of the past. The first CD opens with composers who still wrote in the Romantic style, including Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Khachaturian, Holst and Elgar, and we also hear part of the slow movement of the most successful concerto written during the 20th century, the Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo. Then come the early innovators who broke new ground like the Second Viennese School of Webern, Berg and Schoenberg, as well as others who continued to use the more traditional methods of composition but who wrote in a more advanced style such as Stravinsky and Bartók. These are followed by later composers who wrote in a wide range of so-called ‘modern’ styles including Takemitsu, Tavener and Adès. The large and prolific school of American composers active during the 20th century is represented by some extremely popular pieces like Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, as well as more adventurous works by Ives, Reich and Adams. The set also includes extracts from choral pieces by Boulez, Pärt, Tavener, Rutter and Jenkins, and ends with one of the 20th century’s most successful choral works, Orff’s Carmina Burana.

The Venezuelan Brass Ensemble came into being in 2003 from Venezuela's state youth orchestra system (FESNOJIV) under the patronage of José Antonio Abreu and Thomas Clamor. This unique, state-sponsored system comprises some 200 children's and young people's orchestras and about 100 music centres, spread all over the country. In the meantime, thanks to this work, numerous successful youth ensembles have emerged. Leading the way is the “Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela”, where most of the members of the “Venezuelan Brass Ensemble” come from.

The music of Aaron Copland (1900-1990) is almost every music-lover's introduction to what might be called American 'classical' music. Either through the picture postcard that is El Salón Mexico or the fresh-faced innocence of the ballet Appalachian Spring, Copland is able to capture in sound the wide open spaces, the melodic freshness and rhythmic vitality that, to most European ears, has come to epitomise American music.

At four in the afternoon a single blast of cannon fire signals the opening of the gates of many a stately home in summer and thousands of picnickers pour into grounds, set up camp and prepare to listen to preordained set of classical hits.

This is a re-issue of an album first issued 1992 celebrating the years that Carl conducted Summer Concerts it is a unique collection of popular works presented in unfamiliar but stunning arrangements.

Finlandia is recorded adding a new choral arrangement with an fervently patriotic American text.

The 1812 Overture recorded with a choral arrangement using Tsarist text.

Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 sung with its ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ text.

Elgar’s outrageously elaborate arrangement of Parry’s Jerusalem.

The version of Souza’s Stars and Stripes March is arranged by David Cullen into an orchestral explosion.

Recorded in Abbey Road Studios this is a memorable album of Carl conducting Classical Festival Favourites.

The expressive range and versatility of the wind ensemble is exemplified in this program from one of the world’s leading ensembles of its kind, which presents classics of the genre alongside new works. Wayne Oquin’s Tower Ascending pulsates with urban power whilst Richard Lorenz explores a web of Latin American music. Michael Tilson Thomas distils old and new perspectives and James Mobberely offers affecting Words of Love. We also hear Copland’s indelible Fanfare for the Common Man, Vaughan Williams’s intricate Toccata Marziale and Stravinsky’s brilliantly virtuosic Concerto.