This is one of the many LPs of American music produced by Howard Hanson and Mercury when Dr. Hanson was the head of the Eastman School.
This program from circa 1955 presents three exceedingly beautiful pieces for string orchestra. The Thomas Canning work is an attempt to replicate Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis using a hymn tune by the American Justin Morgan. Louis Mennini's Arioso is recommended to anyone who enjoys Barber's Adagio for Strings. And Arthur Foote's Suite is a romantic work reminiscent of Tchaikovsky.
The Canning and Foote works have had more modern recordings, but not the Mennini, to my knowledge. Canning and Mennini were colleagues of Hanson at Eastman. Mennini's brother, Peter Mennin, was also a well-known composer.
LINK to 2026 remaster
10 comments:
How wonderful to hear these little-known works. Thank you so much!
Once again great work...I really believe that your efforts on these little known American pieces are well worth the trouble. I hope to see more exploration of these important Mercury recordings from Rochester. Thanks!
FredT,
I do have many more of these recordings and I will feature some in weeks ahead. Thanks!
Thanks for this. Hanson's work should be more well-known.
Back for another shot! What a treasure-trove!
Please, please, Buster, can you re-up the three American classical LPs - Sowerby,Louis Alter and Roy Harris?
@ ColinAH - I can probably reup the Sowerby and Alter, assuming I can find them. You'll have to tell me which Harris you are interested in.
Oh, thank you, I am very grateful. The Harris is "Harris on M-G-M" which features his Fantasy for Piano & Orchestra. These records are so rare, and your posts are just wonderful.
Thank you, Buster!
Buster - have you forgotten me? I am hoping you were able to find those American classicals....
Looks like I'm out of luck with those classical LPs ..... great blog though!
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