Copland: Rodeo - Billy the Kid - Appalachian Spring - Fanfare for the Common Man

Most of us remember the first time we heard anything by Aaron Copeland - Fanfare for the Common Man, in 2001, A Space Oddessy. Somewhere in the next few years we actually found other things by Copeland - and of course, the Boston Pops brought us all Applachian Spring. This recording is an excellent work combining Spring with Copeland's opera, Billy the Kid. The works are enthusiastically performed, and represent Copeland's music well. Applachian Spring is one of those pieces of music that, once heard, always stays with you. It seems to capture everything that "is" American, and evokes emotions that harken back to our ancestors and traditions. It's strong motion in the later movements always reach my deepest emotions, and the entire piece is always enjoyable to hear. This is the quintessential "American" suite.