While Coplands hugely successful celebration of the American West, Rodeo, has become an American classic, Dance Panels is barely known despite working beautifully as a concert work. Based on popular Mexican melodies, the glittering, even exotic El Salón Mexico is one of Coplands most frequently performed works. Of his rhythmically complex Danzón Cubano, inspired by a visit to a dance hall in Cuba, in which there were two orchestras playing at both ends, the composer himself wrote: “I did not attempt to reproduce an authentic Cuban sound but felt free to add my own touches of displaced accents and unexpected silent beats.” GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor Leonard Slatkins recording of Coplands Lincoln Portrait (Naxos CD 8.559373-74) received “the kind of performance that brought tears to my eyes” --Audiophile Audition.
Tracklist:
Rodeo (Complete Ballet) (1942) 24:50
1 I. Buckaroo Holiday 7:51
2 II. Corral Nocturne 3:47
3 III. Ranch House Party 3:20
4 IV. Saturday Night Waltz 5:01
5 V. Hoe Down 4:51
Dance Panels: A Ballet in Seven Sections (1959, rev. 1962) 26:20
6 I. Introduction: Moderato (Tempo di valzer) – Espressivo un poco rubato 3:42
7 II. Allegretto con tenerezza (Un poco rubato) 4:22
8 III. Scherzando – Moderato 4:02
9 IV. Pas de trois: Lento 4:09
10 V. Con brio 3:35
11 VI. Con moto 1:35
12 VII. Molto ritmico – Coda – Come prima – Moderato 4:55
13 El Salón México (1932, rev. 1936) 11:52
14 Danzón Cubano (1942, rev. 1945) 7:09