URL: https://www.areditions.com/rr/rra/a072.html George Frederick Bristow (1825¿98), American composer, conductor, teacher, and performer, was a pillar of the New York musical community for the second half of the nineteenth century. His participation in an important mid-century battle-of-words (between William Henry Fry and the journalist Richard Storrs Willis and concerning a lack of support for American composers by the Philharmonic Society) has unfortunately overshadowed his accomplishments as a composer, which were significant. Bristow is remembered today primarily for his opera Rip van Winkle (1855) and oratorio Daniel (1866), but he was also a skillful and productive composer of orchestral music¿one of only a handful of American orchestral composers active at mid-century.Bristow wrote his Symphony no. 2 (Jullien) in 1853. It is a substantial work in four movements, scored for the standard orchestra of the early nineteenth century, and strongly influenced by the personal styles of Beethoven and Mendelssohn (whose works were performed regularly by the Philharmonic Society). The symphony is skillfully crafted, melodious, and an intrinsically worthy work of musical artistry. It was named to honor the French conductor Louis Jullien, who visited the United States in 1853¿54 with an unparalleled orchestra. While in the United States Jullien both commissioned and performed American works (including this symphony); his support served as the catalyst for the Fry/Willis battle. The introductory essay to this symphony examines Bristow¿s career, the composition of orchestral music in America at mid-century, and Jullien¿s role in the musical battle; the edition makes available for the first time an important work that has been undeservedly forgotten for over 150 years.

Orchestra: 2, 2+1, 2, 2 - 4, 2, 3, 0, timp, str ISMN: 979-0-800001-86-4

Excellent exhibition of the Russian Romantic's mature style, particularly in the melodic style of the slow movement and the lavish and imaginative use of the orchestra (notably in the scherzo).

Great music has the power to transform. Understanding and appreciating classical music can enlighten, uplift, and educate not only the intellect but the soul. In The Secret Magic of Music, classical music devotee and psychiatrist Ida Lichter uncovers a more accessible side of music. By providing the performers’ insights, Lichter provides a special look into how great music can bring happiness and spiritual meaning to its listeners.

The story of Russian emigres in Hollywood and the depiction of Russians in Hollywood films

First published in 1998, this volume is the first book to focus on the American symphony. Neil Butterworth surveys the development of the symphony in the United States from early European influences in the last century to the present day, and asks why American composers have shown such allegiance to a musical form which their European contemporaries appear to have discarded. An overview of the growth of musical societies in America during the eighteenth century and the establishment of the first professional orchestras during the early part of the nineteenth century is followed by chronological analyses of the works of those composers who have played important parts in the progress of symphony in the United States, from Charles Ives, Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, to contemporary figures such as William Bolcom and John Harbison. Complete with a comprehensive catalogue of symphonies and an extensive discography, this book is an indispensable reference work.