Credits:

Kanji Ishimaru,Aaron Copland

Description:

Copland, a leading American composer of the 20th century who also worked as a conductor and pianist and left numerous recordings of his own compositions for Sony Classical. Concluding with his famous Gettysburg Address, in which he expressed his determination "not to let government of the people, by the people, and for the people, disappear from the earth," "Lincoln's Portrait" is a moving piece of music that could not have been created except in the United States. This Japanese version is read by actor Kanji Ishimaru, whose prestigious narration further enhances the value of this work. The coupling includes plenty of Copland's own compositions of his major orchestral works, including his masterpiece "Appalachian Spring," "El Salón Mexico," and "Rodeo," making this an excellent introductory album for Copland.