Over a gentle percussive accompaniment, a flute plays a soothing pentatonic melody. Lou Harrison's Suite is more varied and exotic sounding. The suite recorded here in a splendid performance by Leopold Stokowski originally released on RCA uses traditional Western instruments in a concertante for violin and piano. The Holy City features a marvelous performance by Elgar Howarth and the Triptych is dominated by the clear soprano of Benita Valente. The pieces collected here are from a particularly appealing strain of American music.
Recordings are bright and clear and betray nothing of their vintage beyond an analog warmth.
This release is a real treat.