Reviews

 

 "...The disc rounds off its rarity value in style with arrangements of Copland’s popular Old American Songs, originally for voice and piano but here transcribed to include chorus and orchestra by Irving Fine, R. Wilding-White and Glenn Koponen. It works very well, with the St Charles Singers relishing the allusions to folk ballads, minstrel tunes, hymns and children’s tunes. The lyrics – included in the booklet - may be pure cornball in places (‘My pig says ‘griffey, griffey…’) but they’re great fun and the chorus approach them in this spirit.

The recorded sound is warm and generous, coping with the thicker textures well, and good liner-notes complete a very desirable Copland selection.

--Review by Tony Haywood, MusicWeb International, August 2008

 

 

Thankfully this isn’t the umpteenth recording of Appalachian Spring but a collection of lesser-known Copland. As always this music is quintessentially American, the suite from his opera The Tender Land, the bluesy piano concerto and the Old American Songs, the latter in choral arrangements. Appropriately enough the orchestra is the Illinois-based Elgin Symphony, which has embarked on an ambitious project called In Search of Our American Voice. Helping them in this endeavour are the St. Charles Singers, a multi-talented chamber choir founded in 1984.

 

This is exhilarating stuff and quite possibly the most enjoyable item on the disc – go on, give it another whirl – so the choral arrangements of the Old American Songs needs to be pretty special to top that. Most listeners probably know these pieces in their original scoring for voice and piano; if that’s the version you want do try Willard White on Chandos CHAN 8960.

 

Alas, first impressions of the choral arrangements aren’t very encouraging, baritone Nathaniel Stampley’s rather wide vibrato spoiling ‘The Boatmen’s Dance’. The St. Charles singers are another matter entirely; they are clear and nimble and, to be fair, Stampley does improve in ‘The Dodger’. Those who have heard Willard White in this repertoire will know just how much character and personality he brings to bear in these songs. Well worth seeking out.

 

The Elgin Symphony is never less than excellent and the chorus sing eloquently in the ballad ‘Long Time Ago’. Diction could be clearer but with such heartfelt singing it seems churlish to complain. And then there’s ‘Simple Gifts’, the Shaker hymn we know from Appalachian Spring, essayed here with a wonderful sense of innocence and optimism. They even manage the farmyard onomatopoeia of ’I Bought Me a Cat’ which, if you don’t mind this kind of silliness, will probably put a smile on your face.

 

Really it’s the chorus that makes these arrangements stand out; their bright, focused sound is invariably pleasing, even if the music doesn’t always sound like Copland. They are also suitably impassioned – febrile, even – in the Revivalist hymn ‘Zion’s Walls’. Then Stampley and tenor Jeffrey Hunt join them for a spirited rendition of ’The Golden Willow Tree’. Both soloists acquit themselves well here and for once the quirky orchestration actually sounds like authentic Copland.

 

Of the two remaining songs the hymn tune ‘At The River’ could have been penned by Charles Ives, such is its mix of devotional text and strange harmonies. Hanson and his band bring this music to a stirring close before launching into the utterly delightful ‘Ching-a-ring Chaw’. If you haven’t smiled so far then this will surely do the trick, the singing and playing pin-sharp and full of fun. An upbeat finale to an enchanting disc.

 

Minor caveats about the baritone aside this is another collection of American classics that deserves the highest praise. With exemplary playing, singing and an acoustic to match this is plainly indispensable. And the song texts are included as well, which is a welcome bonus. Buy it and enjoy.

--Review by Dan Morgan, MusicWeb International, July 2008

 

Newcomers to the world stage, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra from Illinois have Aaron Copland deep in their lifeblood. Conducted by Robert Hanson, the engaging Suite from the opera, The Tender Land, is presented full of folksy Americana with classy playing in the many solos. Bejamin Pasternack is the brilliant soloist in the quirky Piano Concerto, and the disc is completed by the excellent St. Charles Singers in a choral adaptation of Copland's two likeable sets of Old American Songs. Recorded sound is outstanding.

--Review by David Denton, Yorkshire Post, June 20, 2008

One can still get their “vocal fix” with this CD; the St. Charles Singers perform both sets of Old American Songs. The group gives a movingly tender (no pun intended) rendition of “Long Time Ago.” They are also able to negotiate the deceptively tricky syncopations between voices and accompaniment in “Simple Gifts,” clearly enunciating this Shaker anthem (Copland famously also employed this tune in Appalachian Spring). Other highlights are their fleet, good-humored performances of “Ching-a-ring Chaw” and “I bought me a Cat.” Baritone Nathaniel Stampley is an appealingly waggish soloist on “The Boatmen’s Dance” and “The Dodger.” The choral/orchestral version of “At the River,” arranged by R. Wilding-White, sounds positively glorious.

--Review by Christian Carey, Westminster Choir College of Rider University