Lisa M Olson wrote:
> On Tue, 02 May 2000 03:59:41 Dean FH Macy wrote: > > > There are many arrangements of his Symphony #2. > > Do you know who arranged it this way. I'm a Mahler FREAK and I have sung the 2nd three times, and I've never heard of this arrangement.
I believe it was Maurice Abravanel who wrote this arrangement for his new Mahler concert series at the Hollywood Bowl. The Utah Symphony, under his direction, performed innovative arrangements of all Mahler Symphonies. They were fresh; seen from a different perspective and exqusitely done.
From the history of Utah Symphony (on their website) you read, "Founded in 1940, the Utah Symphony has become a vital presence on the American music scene through its distinctive performances worldwide and its well-known recording legacy. The orchestra became recognized as a leading ensemble largely through the efforts of Maurice Abravanel, its Music Director from 1947 to 1979. Under his direction, the orchestra made its first recordings of works by Varese, Milhaud, Gottschalk, Honegger and Satie, as well as the first complete cycle of Mahler Symphonies."
If you are seeking fresh performances of major classical works, you need to get Utah Symphony albums conducted by Maurice Abravanel on the Vanguard label or Cincinnati Pops albums conducted by Erich Kunzel on the Telarc label. All others are dim by comparison.
If the words "classical" and "pops" don't seem to go together I recommend you go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003CUY/vocalistint00-20 at Amazon.com and listen to Festive Overture, Opus 96 by Dmitri Shostakovich for a classical sample of Kunzel's fresh and unique genius.
Or for opera lovers try Madama Butterfly: Humming Chorus, Composed by Giacomo Puccini, Performed by Cincinnati Pops / May Festival Chorus, Conducted by Erich Kunzel from the album, "Pops Plays Puccini" at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003CX9/vocalistint00-20
And then for choral masterpieces arranged by Kunzel (you'll fall in love with these) from the album, "American Jubilee" try numbers 9 (Battle Hymn of the Republic), 13 (God Bless America), and 14 (America the Beautiful) at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003CUB/vocalistint00-20
I'll stop now.
-- Dean FH Macy, Lit.D./Mus.D. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ --------------- "Specializing in Management of exceptionally talented youth in Music" <http://www.newenglandtalent.org> EPI Records - NetWork Films --------------------------------------------------------------------------------\ --------------- "Making children do something they don't want to do is the job of the parents. If that doesn't work, there are always juvenile detention centers." - Mike R. -
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