From the East Coast to the West, American composers developed a singular identity in the 20th century that continues to energize and influence classical music. This week is dedicated to less popular American composers like John Alden Carpenter, Marion Bauer, and Randall Thompson. Bill investigates their family history, what drove them to compose, and what artistic journey they went on to expand music during their time. Join Bill for a trip to sample everything from Carpenter’s wonky ballet Krazy Cat to Thompson’s choral takes on the poetry of Robert Frost.
American Masters, Part IV
A red barn with an American Flag on the great plains
Playlist
Episode 1
Carpenter, John Alden: “Krazy Kat”
LA Philharmonic/Calvin Simmons
Krazy Kat; Gilbert: The Dance In Place Congo
New World 80228
12:53
Bauer, Marion: “From the New Hampshire Woods,” Op. 12
Virginia Eskin, piano
Music of Marion Bauer & Ruth Crawford Seeger
Albany 297
6:59
Carpenter, John Alden: “Adventures in a Perambulator”
Nat’l SO of the Ukraine/John McLaughlin Williams
Adventures in a Perambulator / Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2
Naxos 8.559065
26:33
Episode 2
Bauer, Marion: Prelude & Fugue for Flute & Strings: I. Prelude
Vienna Orchestra/F. Charles Adler
American Masters – Douglas Moore, Marion Bauer
CRI 714
5:46
Carpenter, John Alden: “Skyscrapers”
London Symphony Orchestra/K. Klein
Skyscrapers (1926) And Other Music of the American East Coast School
EMI 49263
1:20
Carpenter, John Alden: “Sea-Drift”
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Karl Kreuger
AMERICAN TONE POEMS
Bridge 9190
16:41
Hill, Edward Burlingame: Stevensoniana Suite No. 1, Op. 24 II. Lullaby – Andante espressivo – The Land of Nod III. Scherzo – Molto vivace – Where go the Boats
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Karl Kreuger
AMERICAN TONE POEMS
Bridge 9190
10:39
Randall Thompson: Frostiana: VI.
“Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening” VII.”The Telephone”
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Choose Something Like A Star : The Choral Music of Randall Thompson
MTC0005
7:25
Randall Thompson: “Alleluia”
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Choose Something Like A Star : The Choral Music of Randall Thompson
MTC0005
5:56
Episode 3
Porter, Quincy: String Quartet No. 3, Allegro
Chester String Quartet
Porter, Barber, Piston: String Quartets / Chester Quartet
Koch 7069
0:53
Thompson, Randall: Suite for Oboe, Clarinet & Viola
Peter Christ, oboe; David Atkins, clarinet; Alan de Veritch, viola
The Sparrow And Mr. Avaunt / Suite For Oboe, Clarinet, Viola / Miniatures For Flute, Oboe, Piano / Parable For Solo Oboe
Crystal 321
15:39
Porter, Quincy: Symphony No. 2, I. II.
Sinfonia Varsovia/Ian Hobson
Quincy Porter – Symphony No. 1 & 2
Albany 574
10:48
Porter, Quincy: String Quartet No. 3, II. III.
Chester String Quartet
Porter, Barber, Piston: String Quartets / Chester Quartet
Koch 7069
10:54
Porter, Quincy: “Speed Etude”
Eliesha Nelson, viola; John McLaughlin Williams, piano
Quincy Porter: Complete Viola Works
Sono Luminus 90911
2:26
Nancarrow, Conlon: Study No. 3e: “Boogie-Woogie Suite”
Nancarrow/Charles Amirkhanian, player piano
Nancarrow: Studies For Player Piano Vol 1-5
Wergo 6907
2:26
Nancarrow, Conlon: Prelude for Piano
Michel Legrand, piano
American Piano Music
Apex 49576
2:30
Nancarrow, Conlon: “Under the Bamboo Tree”
Joan Morris, mezzo soprano; William Bolcom, piano
After the Ball
Nonesuch 79148
3:51
Episode 4
Giannini, Vittorio: Concerto Grosso- Allegro Con Brio
New Russia Orchestra/David Amos
Flagello, Giannini, Gould / David Amos, New Russia Orchestra
Albany 143
3:12
Giannini, Vittorio: Symphony No. 3, III. IV.
Eastman Wind Ensemble/A. Clyde Roller
Gould: West Point Symphony; Hovhaness, Giannini / Fennell
Mercury 434320
8:18
Korngold, Erich Wolfgang: Symphony In F-Sharp, Op. 40, II. III. IV.
Philadelphia Orchestra/Franz Welser-Möst
Symphony In F Sharp / Einfache Lieder / Mariettas Lied
EMI 56169
34:36
Korngold, Erich Wolfgang: Symphony In F-Sharp, Op. 40, III. (excerpt)
Philadelphia Orchestra/Franz Welser-Möst
Symphony In F Sharp / Einfache Lieder / Mariettas Lied
EMI 56169
3:24
Episode 5
Toch, Ernst: Five Pieces for Winds and Percussion, Op. 83
Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie
Violin Concerto / Septet For Wind
Virgin 45046
16:30
Toch, Ernst: Symphony No. 3
Pittsburgh Symphony/Steinberg
Matrix 24 – Toch, Hindemith, Martin: Symphonies
EMI 65869
27:56
Toch, Ernst: Geographical Fugue
Turtle Creek Chorale
Postcards / Timothy Seelig, The Turtle Creek Chorale
Reference Recordings 61
2:52
