COPLAND, A.: Rodeo - 4 Dance Episodes / Billy the Kid Suite / BEETHOVEN, L. van: Battle Symphony (excerpts) (Morton Gould Orchestra, M. Gould)

Morton Gould is probably the highest decorated Conductor, composer and pianist next to Leonard Bernstein. In 1994, he received the Kennedy Center Honor in recognition of lifetime contributions to American culture. In 1995, Gould was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music for Stringmusic, a composition commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra in recognition of the final season of director Mstislav Rostropovich. In 2005, he was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also was a member of the board of the American Symphony Orchestra League and of the National Endowment for the Arts music panel. His great versatility is impressively demonstrated by this album which is entitled Symphonic Drame, since it contrast the music of American born composer Aaran Copland with the music of Beethoven. Dramatic stories are told: The story of ''Billy the Kid'', ''Rodeo'' and Wellington's victory over Napoleon. Truly monumental and breathtaking. Reference tracks are No. 1 ''Buckaroo Holiday'' (Rodeo) / No. 5 ''Billy the Kid Suite'' / No. 8 ''The Battle'' (Wellingtons Victory)