Roy Harris: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 "Folksong Symphony"

Marin Alsop and the Coloerado Symphony (and Chorus in the 4th) give wonderful performances of these lovely pieces of American art. Roy Harris has slipped from the pantheon of American composers. Once he was spoken of with Copland and Barber, but today seems more provincial, less certain of his talents. But this reputation is unfair. Harris is a more than "interesting" representative of the American symphonists of the 1930-50s, with their distinctly folk-influenced tone. And what delightful music is here! The 3rd Symphony was a specialty of Alsop's mentor Leonard Bernstein and she gives this tightly composed single movement work a taut, and powerful performance with clearly commited support from the Colorado Symphony (the former Denver Symphony Orchestra reorganized after bankruptcy). The rarely heard 4th Symphony is really a cantata built on classic American folk songs. There was a fine reading of this piece recorded in the 1960s by the Utah Symphony and this is a far better recorded and worthy successor. The Colorado Symphony Chorus sings with polish and clear diction, which is appreciated since there are (obviously) no texts included with this very fairly-priced download. Highly recommended for lovers of Copland's "Americana" style.