Howard Hanson, longtime director of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, wrote a good deal of symphonic music that was more frequently heard in the middle of the 20th century than it is today. His earlier music was influenced by Sibelius (anathema to the modernist nomenklatura), and with the continuing popularity of that composer his chief American disciple is worth exploring anew. His "Symphony No. 2 in D flat major, Op. 30 (Romantic)," kept enough of a hold on the popular imagination that it was swiped, without Hanson's permission, for use in the film Alien; the aging Hanson decided not to contest the issue in court. Hanson himself recorded the works heard here...
Howard Hanson, longtime director of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, wrote a good deal of symphonic music that was more frequently heard in the middle of the 20th century than it is today. His earlier music was influenced by Sibelius (anathema to the modernist nomenklatura), and with the continuing popularity of that composer his chief American disciple is worth exploring anew. His "Symphony No. 2 in D flat major, Op. 30 (Romantic)," kept enough of a hold on the popular imagination that it was swiped, without Hanson's permission, for use in the film Alien; the aging Hanson decided not to contest the issue in court. Hanson himself recorded the works heard here for the Mercury label on LP, but this reading by Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony, originally made for Delos in 1988-1990 and reissued by Naxos in 2011, is one of the few CD originals available. The "Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 22 (Nordic)," was the work that made Hanson's reputation when he premiered it in 1922. It shares a key and a good number of ideas with Sibelius' first symphony, with a craggy, brooding opening movement and a broad finale enclosing a melodious slow movement that feels like nothing more than an interlude. The first movement has a complexity of structure that takes it beyond mere imitation of Sibelius, and Schwarz keeps impressive control of the trajectory at all times. Hanson's themes in the finale are not quite as stirring as those of their model, and the choral "Lament of Beowulf" that closes at the album is pretty ponderous, but the "Symphony No. 1" is a bona fide neglected American masterwork, a good find for Naxos' American Classics series.
Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked,
or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to
Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original
and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you
and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not
violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help
ensure that your review can be posted.
Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13
We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer.
However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or
to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.
What to exclude from your review:
Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the
information on the product page, please send us an email.
Reviews should not contain any of the following:
- HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
- Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
- Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
- Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
- Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
- Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
- Advertisements or commercial solicitation
Reminder:
- By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its
sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the
review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
- Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly
those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com
also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
- See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend
Create a Pen Name
Welcome, penname
You have successfully created your Pen Name. Start enjoying the benefits of the BN.com Community today.
Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - James Manheim
Howard Hanson, longtime director of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, wrote a good deal of symphonic music that was more frequently heard in the middle of the 20th century than it is today. His earlier music was influenced by Sibelius (anathema to the modernist nomenklatura), and with the continuing popularity of that composer his chief American disciple is worth exploring anew. His "Symphony No. 2 in D flat major, Op. 30 (Romantic)," kept enough of a hold on the popular imagination that it was swiped, without Hanson's permission, for use in the film Alien; the aging Hanson decided not to contest the issue in court. Hanson himself recorded the works heard here...