The New American Romanticism

Review:

If you’re looking for an album of well-written but rarely heard American orchestral music, this is the disc for you. The recording is not without its flaws: the editing is sometimes less than professional, and conductor Julius Williams often seems more intent on getting the notes right than on bringing out the romanticism in the music. But the selection represents some of the best of the unknown, from Lee McQuillan’s lyrical violin romanza to Beth Denisch’s raucous fanfare to Jack Jarrett’s beautifully conceived symphony (the only truly neo-Romantic piece on the CD). The highlight of the album is the Symphony for Chamber Ensemble by Leroy Southers, a sadly neglected composer whose music is in the style and of the caliber of mid-century American greats such as William Schuman and Roy Harris. This is one of the all-too-rare recordings of his music, and the second movement—brilliantly constructed and achingly moving—is by itself worth the price of the CD.