Copland: American Songs
Copland'sEight Songs of Emily Dickinsoncomprise one of the finest song cycles by an  American composer, and a perfect meeting of minds between poet and composer. Dickinson's verses and  Copland's music alternate plain-spun honesty and wry humor with sudden, unpredictable bursts of passion  and pain and a complete lack of false sentimentality. TheOld American Songsare simply a good  time and you'll recognize many of the tunes even if you haven't remembered the words. Hampson and  Upshaw are two of the finest American singers alive, and they perform this music as though they have a  proprietary interest in it. A terrific record.--David Hurwitz