Looking at the cover, you might expect this record to dance band music that would make you want to get up and do the Lindy hop.
Well, not exactly. Randall Thompson's 1931 Symphony No. 2 is not something that you would find in the Paul Whiteman book. It is a relatively conventional symphony, although it makes use of simple materials - even simplistic, in the case of the first movement. Thompson, one of the leading American composers for many years, is today much better known for his choral works than his symphonic efforts.
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| Randall Thompson |
The performance is a good one, led by the American conductor Dean Dixon with what is probably a Viennese orchestra. This was among the first issues by the American Recording Society, a non-profit organization that was set up in 1951 by the Alice Ditson Fund to promote American music. This recording is now rebalanced and enhanced with ambient stereo to counteract the bony acoustic.
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| Dean Dixon |
This doesn't sound like Dance Band Music! I've been robbed!
ReplyDeleteHey, I am dancing to have a great recording of a favorite work. Woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, as always! Thanks, Buster.
ReplyDeleteGreat!
ReplyDeleteThanks Buster.
Thanks for making this available, I think the cover artist may have taken their inspiration from the last movement.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone put together a good history of the ARS online.
Graham - No history of ARS at all, to my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteRemastered version in ambient stereo, Apple lossless format:
ReplyDeletehttps://mega.nz/file/6Zlj0ZbI#gYrb4C9l13ZFRfBRlPopc0DwxWUFfo1_OttUw7qhXlE