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Long buried within the vaults of the Library of Congress, these four rarities offer further evidence of Aaron Copland's abundant skill and sheer versatility. Of the two very contrasting commissions offered to Copland by the organisers of the 1939 World's Fair in New York,
From Sorcery to Science (a clever and colourful pastiche for a vast puppet show illustrating the history of medicine) proves perhaps less durably rewarding than the score he fashioned for a left-wing documentary entitled
The City, material from which subsequently reappeared in his 1943 concert-hall work,
Music for Movies. A sleepy nostalgia pervades another documentary score,
The Cummington Story (about five or so minutes in, listen out for a descending theme that Copland later incorporated into his 1950 Clarinet Concerto), and we also get a notably eventful 17-minute suite from
The North Star (an ill-fated Sam Goldwyn production from 1943). I need only add that the Eos Orchestra under Jonathan Sheffer (who also penned the intelligent booklet-notes) turn out to be admirably polished and dedicated proponents of all this fascinating material. Telarc's clear yet atmospheric sonics, too, come close to the ideal. A most enjoyable, stimulating release. --
Andrew Achenbach
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