Koussevitzky@150: More American than We Americans
By Ralph Graves
Leonard Bernstein proclaimed that Russian-born conductor Serge Koussevitzky was “more American than we Americans in his passion for American music.” Koussevitzky’s recordings prove the point.
We present Hymn & Fuguing Tune 2 by Henry Cowell, Serenade for Flute, Harp & Strings by Howard Hanson, Prelude and Allegro for Organ and Orchestra by Walter Piston, and Appalachian Spring by Copland.
You’ll also hear Copland describe what it was like to have a Koussevitzky premiere. Composers David Diamond and Howard Hanson offer their reminiscences of the great conductor.
Koussevkitzky@150 airs Wednesdays at
9:00 am and 6:00 pm
on charlottesvilleclassical.org
Featured Recordings:
| Cowell: Hymn and Fuguing Tune 2 | Serge Koussevitzky Boston Symphony | Music of Henry Cowell | CRI SD-248 | 1949 |
| Hanson: Serenade for Flute, Harp & Strings | Serge Koussevitzky Boston Symphony | Serge Koussevitzky Conducts | RCA LM-2900 | 1947 |
| Piston: Prelude & Allegro for Organ and Orchestra | Serge Koussevitzky Boston Symphony | Piston: Prelude & Allegro | RCA 11-1922 | 1945 |
| Copland: Appalachian Spring | Serge Koussevitzky Boston Symphony | Koussevitzky Conducts American Music | Biddulph 50 | 1945 |
