Copland: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3 – Symphonies BBC Philharmonic Orchestra & John Wilson

• Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990):
• 1 An Outdoor Overture 08:35
• Symphony No. 1:
• 2 Symphony No. 1: I. Prelude. Andante 04:55
• 3 Symphony No. 1: II. Scherzo. Molto allegro 07:18
• 4 Symphony No. 1: III. Finale. Lento 10:16
• Statements: I.
• 5 Statements: I. Militant 02:54
• 6 Statements: II. Cryptic 03:11
• 7 Statements: III. Dogmatic 01:45
• 8 Statements: IV. Subjective 04:13
• 9 Statements: V. Jingo 02:33
• 10 Statements: VI. Prophetic 04:22
• Dance Symphony: I.
• 11 Dance Symphony: I. Dance of the Adolescent 06:56
• 12 Dance Symphony: II. Dance of the Young Girl 04:46
• 13 Dance Symphony: III. Dance of Mockery 05:17
• Total Runtime 01:07:01

Info for Copland: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3 – Symphonies

The exploration by John Wilson of Coplands major orchestral output with the BBC Philharmonic has now reached Volume 3, with this invigorating programme recorded in surround-sound. It opens with An Outdoor Overture, a cheerful and breezy piece which Copland composed in 1938, intending to spearhead an initiative encouraging American Music for American Youth. Originally written for organ and orchestra, the First Symphony is presented here in its revised version (1926-28) for large orchestra. The six concise movements of Statements (1932-35) introduce a new style, their gritty soundscapes being stunning examples of what Copland later would refer to as hard-bitten pieces. The concluding work is the expressive, fantastical Dance Symphony (1929) which explores different styles of symphonic movements, its dark aura a residue of its origin as a ballet on a grotesque vampire theme, composed 1922-25 and named Grohg. The symphony has remained a highly controversial piece ever since.

"...this ebulliently performed collection offers a fascinating portrait of a greatly skilled composer in transition. Don t hesitate for a moment." (BBC Music Magazine)

"Wilson and the BBC Philharmonic make the most of this music’s European footprints, aided by the typically clean and expansive Chandos recording, with beefy climaxes and plenty of ballast from the lower registers. But they’re equally effective punching out the American jazz rhythms…All told, this ebulliently performed collection offers a fascinating portrait of a greatly skilled composer in transition. Don’t hesitate for a moment." (BBC Music Magazine)

"Wilson’s approach is markedly different [from Copland’s own recordings], yet eloquent in its own right. Take ‘Militant’, the opening movement of Statements. Copland’s performance is strident and sharp-edged; Wilson’s is rounded and polished…In ‘Cryptic’, the second movement, Wilson finds a reflective, elegiac tone rather than the pained grieving Copland evokes. In fact, it’s in quiet, lyrical passages that Wilson is at his most compelling." (Gramophone Magazine)

"The Outdoor Overture, originally for a youth orchestra, is unremittingly, brightly optimistic, showcasing Chandos’ superb recording. The symphony is an arrangement of the Symphony for Organ and Orchestra. Stravinsky’s influence is clearest in the second movement; this performance’s strength is the finale, which flows like lava." (Classical Music)

BBC Philharmonic
John Wilson, conductor

John Wilson
is known for the vivid nature of his interpretations and is applauded repeatedly for the rich and colourful sounds that he draws from orchestras in repertoire ranging from the core classical through to the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. An outstanding communicator, Wilson has developed long-term affiliations with many of the UK’s major orchestras and festivals, and is working increasingly at the highest level across Europe and Australia. In 16/17 he became the Associate Guest Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducting them regularly across Scotland as well as at the BBC Proms and Aldeburgh Festival.

In 18/19 Wilson returns to the BBC Proms with the London Symphony Orchestra as well as with his own John Wilson Orchestra, and at London’s South Bank he returns to the Philharmonia Orchestra and makes his debut with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Elsewhere in the UK he conducts the BBC Philharmonic, BBC Scottish, City of Birmingham Symphony and Royal Northern Sinfonia and in Europe he returns to the Oslo Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic and Swedish Radio Symphony orchestras. Wilson also makes his debut at English National Opera in a new production of Porgy and Bess and in Summer 2019 he returns to Glyndebourne Summer Festival for a new production of Cendrillon.

In recent seasons Wilson has made his debut with many major orchestras including Oslo Philharmonic, Gothenburg Symphony, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and further afield he has twice been to Australia to conduct the Sydney Symphony. In 2016 he made his opera debut with Glyndebourne Festival Opera to great critical acclaim, described as a “sensational success” by Opera Magazine, conducting the theatre’s first ever Madama Butterfly in a new production for their autumn tour.

In 1994, Wilson formed his own orchestra, the John Wilson Orchestra, dedicated to performing music from the golden age of Hollywood and Broadway; for the past decade he has been performing with them annually at the BBC Proms and touring regularly across the UK. John Wilson and the John Wilson Orchestra record exclusively for Warner Classics (formerly EMI Classics) and their performances are broadcast regularly on television and radio.

Wilson has a large catalogue of recordings with a range of orchestras. His most recent recordings are three volumes of symphonic works by Copland with the BBC Philharmonic, described by Gramophone as “outstanding”, and two volumes of works by Richard Rodney Bennett with the BBC Scottish Symphony.

Born in Gateshead, England, John Wilson studied composition and conducting at the Royal College of Music where he was taught by Joseph Horovitz and Neil Thomson and where he won all the major conducting prizes and, in 2011, was made a Fellow.

Booklet for Copland: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3 – Symphonies