Recording of the month: the journey to the American Soul: Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring 

Recording: Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring with Antal Dorati and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on Decca (1986)

Written in 1944, Appalachian Spring was commissioned by choreographer Martha Graham of the Elizabeth Sprague Foundation to celebrate the American pioneering spirit and to renew hope during the dark times in World War II. The piece, originally scored for 13 instruments, was eventually revised by Copland for complete orchestra in 1945. Movements in Appalachian Spring include several American based folk tunes. Simple Gifts, the most famous section of the work, was constructed into a theme and variation from shaker tunes, transforming the piece into a description

of the American experiences. Copland uses American influences and experiences to reflect the dream – that reaching beyond the frontier is possible. That is why Antal Dorati and the Detroit Symphony have been selected for this edition. Dorati and the Detroit Symphony beautifully interpret the lyrical slower parts of the piece creating picturesque scenes of America. The interpretation and execution of the piece is nothing but stunning! In the second movement Allegro, Dorati keeps the tempo on a steady even but quick pace carrying the momentum and building suspense. Within the Meno Mosso, Dorati amplifies the dissonance in the string section leaving emotional development in the Simple Gifts variations. The Simple Gifts is performed with the theme originating in the clarinet solo before expanding to the rest of the orchestra. Dorati enhances the quality of the performance by adopting a slightly faster interpretation adding character in the orchestra before the piece finally concludes in the last movement. The album is recorded by Decca and contains a performance of Igor Stravinsky’s Apollo Musagete (Apollo, Leader of the Muses). As the school year concludes, thank you for your everlasting support for Recording of the Month. 

Runner up recording: Michael Tilson Thomas with the San Francisco Symphony on Sony BMG Entertainment (2000)

AUTHOR NOTES: Aaron Copland is pronounced (Air-run Cope-lend). Antal Dorati is pronounced (An-tall Door-rah-tee). The San Francisco Symphony did another recording of the piece in 2009 on their personal label of the chamber version. The 2000 recording discusses the full orchestral edition. The shakers were a Christian communal sect known primarily for celibacy and forward thinking beliefs in the 19th century.

The Sound Awards: May best listener choice: An American edition!