Date: |
Sun, 14 Nov 1999 10:13:35 -0600 |
Subject: |
|
From: |
|
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
James Tobin wrote:
>Since you quoted both parts of my statement let me defend both parts.
>Back in the 1930's Roy Harris' Third Symphony was immensely popular with
>audiences. Aside from the recordings by Bernstein has anyone here ever
>heard it performed?
Many times. I also have many recordings including Toscanini, Leinsdorf,
Koussevitzky, Ormandy, et al.
>... The Shapero symphony I keep bringing up was never exactly popular
>but it was once on Schwann's Basic Recordings list. No kidding. I still
>own a copy of that. The symphony has been publicized a couple of times
>over the years and Andre Previn performed it widely a few years ago, to
>strong audience approval; he stopped playing it, saying other conductors
>ought to take it up. Have they? I don't think so.
I am reminded of a comment of Bernstein's...I recall reading that he never
understood why Nielsen's music never got as much attention as some other
composers.
>... There are lots of works I know that I am sure that audiences would
>love if given a chance--and if they would give themselves a chance ...
>Maybe they will in the coming century. Cultural groups do renew themselves
>from time to time.
This semester has been a good one for me. I am teaching a class on a
group of composers who were fostered by Copland and Koussevitzky. We have
covered, in addition to Copland, Harris, Barber, Piston, Schuman, Hanson
and others. The young students seem to relate to the music better than
they relate to the standards. Many of them have commented that they never
imagined such music existed. Others are attracted to the jazz elements.
While it is unlike my basic nature, I am encouraged.
Karl
|
|
|