Columbia Masterworks (CBS) MS 6175: Bernstein conducts Copland
Columbia Masterworks (CBS) MS 6175 Aaron Copland: Four Dance Episodes from "Rodeo" Billy the Kid New York Philharmonic Leonard Bernstein, conductor Recorded May 2, 1960, Manhattan Center, New York City Matrix numbers: XXSM50615-1AG / XXSM50616-2AH Leonard Bernstein's CBS recording of Copland's Rodeo and Billy the Kid has long been considered one of the reference recordings (analog or digital) of these two works, the other analog one in my mind is that from Antal Dorati and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra on Mercury. Bernstein clearly has a feel for this music, and these are really excellent performances by the New York Philharmonic. Even on this later "two-eye" pressing, the sonics match the quality of the performances. The sound is expansive and reverberant, and there are plenty of exciting dynamic moments. This recording was well received in The Stereo Record Guide, Vol. 3 (1963), which gave it an enthusiastic three stars *** and a demonstration "
