Copland: The Populist

Copland: The Populist

• TILSON THOMAS MICHAEL / SAN FR
• MUSICA CLASICA
• INTERNATIONAL
• MUSIC

The year 2000 marks the centenary for Aaron Copland, and what better conductor to bring his best-loved Americana compositions into the next millennium than Michael Tilson Thomas? On his follow-up to 1996's <i>Copland: The Modernist</i> disc, the forward-thinking conductor leads the San Francisco Symphony through <i>Billy the Kid</i>, <i>Appalachian Spring</i>, and <i>Rodeo</i>--three well-worn compositions steeped in Americana and virtually owned by Leonard Bernstein on a now legendary single disc. But Tilson Thomas doesn't try to compete with Bernstein, instead giving these works an inventive, impressionistic reading all his own. He adds a noirish color to the introduction of <i>Billy the Kid</i>, a perfect contrast to the work's folksier elements. On the opening of <i>Appalachian Spring</i>, Tilson Thomas's unhurried timings create a sense of suspense (not bad for a work we've all heard dozens of times!). And, thanks to great recording techniques by RCA Victor, <i>Rodeo</i> is a rollicking good time that you'll want to crank up on the stereo. Sure, we've all heard these pieces before, but Tilson Thomas makes them sound fresh again. Great stuff. <i>--Jason Verlinde</i>