Symphony Nos 3&4
Harris's Folk Song Symphony, his fourth, is an odd work, hardly a symphony in our usual use of the word. It was first performed in 1940 and is more of a cantata--it's a set of choral and orchestral arrangements of familiar songs, including "The Streets of Laredo," "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," "He's Gone Away," and a Negro spiritual or two. There's nothing particularly deep about it, but it's good entertainment. And Marin Alsop leads the Colorado forces with energy and what seems like true excitement. The briefer Third Symphony is a meatier work: it builds with suspense for its first half (it lasts about 18 minutes), has a fine fugue which features some exciting brass playing, and is concise and dramatic. Alsop gets intense playing from the orchestra. A very interesting piece, well played.--Robert Levine