The American Seasons

Last updated
The American Seasons
Theamericanseasons.JPG
Studio album by
Released2001
Recorded2001
Genre Classical
Length60:14
Label Sony Classical
Producer Steven Epstein
Mark O'Connor chronology
Fanfare for the Volunteer
(1999)
The American Seasons
(2001)
Thirty-Year Retrospective
(2003)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]

The American Seasons is an album by Mark O'Connor, recorded with the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Scott Yoo. It is composed of three original orchestral works by O'Connor. First is his piece for violin and orchestra, "The American Seasons" loosely structurally based upon Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons", and is conceptually a piece on American life, grounded in American folk music. "Strings & Threads Suite" follows, which traces O'Connor's "version of how folk music on the violin evolved in America" (liner notes) through thirteen pieces in progressively more modern styles. The album concludes with an arrangement of O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz, arranged for orchestra without soloist.

Contents

Track listing

All music was written by Mark O'Connor.

  1. "The American Seasons - Spring" – 7:39
  2. "The American Seasons - Summer" – 9:41
  3. "The American Seasons - Fall" – 5:50
  4. "The American Seasons - Winter" – 14:36
  5. "Strings & Threads Suite I. Fair Dancer Reel" – 1:17
  6. "Strings & Threads Suite II. Sailor's Jig" – 0:48
  7. "Strings & Threads Suite III. Captain's Jig" – 0:42
  8. "Strings & Threads Suite IV. Off to Sea" – 0:56
  9. "Strings & Threads Suite V. Pilgrim's Waltz" – 1:20
  10. "Strings & Threads Suite VI. Road to Appalachia" – 0:57
  11. "Strings & Threads Suite VII. Shine On" – 2:07
  12. "Strings & Threads Suite VIII. Cotton Pickin' Blues" – 1:45
  13. "Strings & Threads Suite IX. Pickin' Parlor Rag" – 1:03
  14. "Strings & Threads Suite X. Queen of the Cumberland" – 1:13
  15. "Strings & Threads Suite XI. Texas Dance Hall Blues" – 1:09
  16. "Strings & Threads Suite XII. Swing" – 0:57
  17. "Strings & Threads Suite XIII. Sweet Suzanne" – 1:15
  18. "Appalachia Waltz" – 6:53

Personnel

also

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References