This CD does feature, however, the full Appalachian Spring score, in its later orchestral version. Those issues aside now, one can confidently declare that Tilson Thomas continues to turn out recording after recording that demonstrate his absolute mastery on the podium. Without doubt, he is among the top two or three American conductors before the public today. The Kid that may be the best version yet. It surpasses, if only marginally, Copland s own with the London Symphony Orchestra from the late 1960s.
Nothing ever sounds excessive or pedestrian here.
The Gun Battle sequence comes across with as much power and drama as I ve ever heard, far surpassing Tilson Thomas s other great American rival, Leonard Slatkin, not only in this section but in most of the piece. It should be noted that Slatkin recorded the complete ballet, but when comparisons are made in those sections that are basically the same in the Suite, Tilson Thomas is clearly preferable. His Celebration after Billy s Capture comes across with verve and color in this quite zany dance episode, and the opening and closing sequences are riveting, as well. Applachian Spring is also excellent here, though it would be hard to declare it the best. Again, Tilson Thomas is pretty much on target, but the slower episodes, while atmospheric may be a tad ponderous.