DESCRIPTION:
Rather than relying on a smattering of mediocre performances of individual movements, puts together two CDs of generally great performances of entire works, giving a much more complete and varied look at a composer's oeuvre The music from Billy the Kid, one of Copland's earlier works, is infused with quotations of "Cowboy Songs" and western "sound effects" that only a composer like Copland could successfully pull off while maintaining the work's integrity as art music. A strong performance by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin only serves to highlight the idiomatic characteristics of the suite. St. Louis offers similarly masterful performances of two other ballet suites: Appalachian Spring and Rodeo. Also on the disc are vibrant displays by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra under Eduardo Mata performing the Danzón Cubano and El salón México. The only disappointing, lackluster track is the Philharmonic Orchestra of the City of Mexico performing what might be one of Copland's most recognizable compositions: Fanfare for the Common Man. The execution is simply too straightlaced and safe. Apart from that, this album would make an excellent introduction to this great American composer.
CD 1
1. Danzon Cubano -- Eduardo Mata/Dallas Symphony Orchestra
2. Copland: Billy The Kid: The Open Prairie -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
3. Copland: Billy The Kid: Street In A Frontier Town -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
4. Copland: Billy The Kid: Mexican Dance And Finale -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
5. Copland: Billy The Kid: Prairie Night (Card Game At Night) -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
6. Copland: Billy The Kid: Gun Battle -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
7. Copland: Billy The Kid: Celebration (After Billy's Capture) -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
8. Copland: Billy The Kid: Billy In Prison (His Escape) -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
9. Copland: Billy The Kid: Billy In The Desert -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
10. Copland: Billy The Kid: Billy's Death -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
11. Copland: Billy The Kid: The Open Prairie Again -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
12. Copland: Appalachian Spring: Very Slowly -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
13. Copland: Appalachian Spring: Allegro -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
14. Copland: Appalachian Spring: Moderato -- The Bride And Her Intended -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
15. Copland: Appalachian Spring: Fast -- The Revivalist And His Flock -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
16. Copland: Appalachian Spring: Allegro -- Solo Dance Of The Bride -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
17. Copland: Appalachian Spring: Meno Mosso -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
18. Copland: Appalachian Spring: Doppio Movimento -- Variations On A Shaker Hymn -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
19. Copland: Appalachian Spring: Moderato -- Coda -- Leonard Slatkin/Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra

CD 2

1. Copland: Fanfare For The Common Man -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
2. Copland: Rodeo: Buckaroo Holid -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
3. Copland: Rodeo: Corral Nocturne -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
4. Copland: Rodeo: Piano Interlude And Saturday Night Waltz -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
5. Copland: Rodeo: Hoe-Down -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
6. Copland: El Salon Mexico -- Eduardo Mata/Dallas Symphony Orchestra
7. Copland: The Red Pony Suite: I. Morning On The Ranch -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
8. Copland: The Red Pony Suite: II. The Gift -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
9. Copland: The Red Pony Suite: III. A) Dream March -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
10. Copland: The Red Pony Suite: III. B) Circus March -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
11. Copland: The Red Pony Suite: IV. Walk To The Bunkhouse -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
12. Copland: The Red Pony Suite: V. Grandfather's Story -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
13. Copland: The Red Pony Suite: VI. Happy Ending -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
14. Copland: Dance Symphony: I. Introduction -- Lento -- Molto Allegro -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
15. Copland: Dance Symphony: II. Andante Moderato -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México
16. Copland: Dance Symphony: III. Allegro Vivo -- Enrique Batiz/Orquestra Filarmonica De La Ciudad de México