Symphonic Dances (9) from "West Side Story", for orchestra (orchestrated with Ramin & Kostal)
Latin American Dances (3), for orchestra
Symphonic Dances, for orchestra (or 2 pianos), Op. 45
Called Symphonic Dances, this disc serves a four-fold purpose. First, it serves the purpose of returning Keith Lockhart to the catalog. After landing a contract with RCA leading the Boston Pops Orchestra, Lockhart returns here leading the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Lockhart has clearly grown since his time with the Boston Pops: his conducting here is well-judged, well-balanced, and well-executed. Second, it serves the purpose of returning the Utah Symphony to the catalog. After a long-term contract with Vanguard in the '60s ...
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Called Symphonic Dances, this disc serves a four-fold purpose. First, it serves the purpose of returning Keith Lockhart to the catalog. After landing a contract with RCA leading the Boston Pops Orchestra, Lockhart returns here leading the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Lockhart has clearly grown since his time with the Boston Pops: his conducting here is well-judged, well-balanced, and well-executed. Second, it serves the purpose of returning the Utah Symphony to the catalog. After a long-term contract with Vanguard in the '60s and '70s led by Maurice Abravanel, the Utah returns here led by Lockhart, their music director since 1998. Likewise, the Utah has grown since their days with Abravanel: their playing here is strong, sincere and fully professional. Third, it serves the purpose of introducing young Peruvian composer Gabriela Lena Frank. In her work Three Latin American Dances, Frank reveals herself to be a rhythmically vivacious and sensuously colorful composer. Fourth and perhaps most importantly, it...
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