Copland Sym No 3

Aaron Copland's Symphony 3 (completed in 1946) belongs to a venerable tradition of American symphonies that come out of the basic core of the American experience as pioneered by composers such as Roy Harris, William Schuman, and Howard Hanson. Copland's Third has all the familiar Coplandesque elements, including a powerful exuberance and enthusiasm that seemingly captures the mood of an America coming out of a long war fought for the principles of freedom. Leonard Slatkin and the Saint Louis Orchestra handle these works quite well, but Bernstein's handling of the Third has more sparkle. --Paul Cook