"The is the most outstanding disc to date by the Nashville Symphony. It is the first to feature their new music advisor, Leonard Slatkin, their first in their outstanding new symphony hall in Nashville, and their first with American music from a living composer. And it all comes together perfectly.
The music is first rate, the orchestra is at their best, and the sonics are some of the best heard on CD.
Joan Tower's music is always rhythmically exciting, and she certainly is enjoying a well-deserved Renaissance as she approaches 70. Slatkin has been championing her music for years, and this return to her music is quitting fitting later in both their careers.
"Made in America" is quite a remarkable achievement--an outstanding composition written within the parameters of being playable by most community orchestras. "Tambor" is most definitely a much more demanding work for the musicians, with extraordinary percussion playing required (which Nashville delivers).
But the truly outstanding work is Tower's "Concerto for Orchestra", a brilliant piece of music that not only displays virtuosity, but musicality. It deserves a permanent place in the repertoire.
The Nashville Symphony may have once been a small regional orchestra--but no longer. Their rise in quality and stature is well-deserved, and this disc shows that they are more than capable in handling even the most difficult technically demanding repertoire. The fact that world-class conductor Leonard Slatkin has taken an interest in them speaks volumes.
Most highly recommended."
Congratulations to Ms. Tower, Mr. Slatkin and the Nashville
Christopher Beckwith | Minneapolis | 02/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"And Congratulations to Naxos, that intrepid label that keeps bringing the public both premier contemporary works as well as new performances of canon works, both obscure and well-known. And at affordable prices! A marvelous win for all of you!
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A real discovery!
Edward Thomas | Venezuela | 02/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This powerful compositions are designed to get a grip on you and rush you through an almost visual experience, full of dramatic moments and contrast.
For me listening to this pieces was a very pleasant surprise.
Made in America plays very suggestively with the suggestion of the unofficial anthem, America the Beautiful, but then this is achieved from a very contemporary point of view, where America the Beautiful in some sort of way, in dramatic conflict. In an interview Joan Tower says that this is not a political but rather a musical statement, but then, just taking such a source as inspiration is at the very least, provocative. In this I guess Joan Tower could easily cross the line into some kind of Shostakovitch-like debate. To me, this pieces have enough power and magnetism to enter in such a boxing ring in same terms with Dimitri. Now who precisely would be her present day Stalin?"
Made in America
R. Lundy | Louisville, CO | 12/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a piece of Americana that is strong and beautifully managed. Orchestra does a great job on some difficult passages. Great use of percussion, especially in later works. Highly recommended."
Very Entertaining and Accessible
Moldyoldie | Motown, USA | 11/22/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I picked this up at the library on a whim; it's my introduction to Joan Tower. All three of the works here are colorful, dynamic, and readily accessible compositions which are sure to please those who love the orchestra. Made in America is described as a fantasy on the theme of the "unofficial" national anthem, "America the Beautiful". While we hear the occasional allusion, it mostly invokes in me thoughts of Copland cum Shostakovich. Tambor, as the title suggests, is loaded with percussion of every stripe; it's also a whole lot of fun! Despite those two works being the main attraction as "world premieres", it's the two-part Concerto for Orchestra that provides the most substantive listening with a marvelously blended half-hour amalgam of solos and incredibly alert ensemble playing.
Perhaps it's the male chauvinist in me which led me to expect something a little more, uh, feminine in nature -- not so! This CD with Leonard Slatkin leading the Nashville Symphony is top-drawer for powerful, committed virtuoso symphonic performance and vivid sonic impact -- a most entertaining hour of music, if not necessarily the most original or profound."
