Morton Gould & His Orchestra

Morton Gould & His Orchestra – Aaron Copland: Billy the Kid & Rodeo Suite – Ferde Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite (1960/2006)
SACD ISO (2.0/5.0): 3,16 GB | 24B/88,2kHz Stereo FLAC: 1,39 | Full Artwork | 3% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: RCA Red Seal “Living Stereo” # 82876-67904-2 | Country/Year: Europe 2006, 1960
Genre: Classical | Style: Contemporary

I’m familiar with two other major interpretations on RBCD of the Copland ballets: Bernstein’s with NY Phil and Slatkin’s with St. Louis. While the Slatkin rendition was very satisfying in its simple approach, Morton Gould and his orchestra play these works as if it were for an old classic western movie. The style is very old fashioned but highly effective, and listening made me feel nostalgic even though I’m too young to have grown up in that just-after-WWII era. The Grand Canyon Suite by Grofe has that same cozy nostalgic feel further enhanced by some UNusual instrument placement and editing. A serious recording technician would probably laugh at the approach used by this orchestra and Living Stereo, but to me it’s a silly but highly enjoyable masterpiece. The SACD Stereo sound is fantastic, and this is one of my SACD Top Picks! sacd_fan @ SA-CD.net

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