Album

A reissue of recordings made in the early '90s for Delos, this Naxos album adds to David Diamond's representation in the acclaimed American Classics series, and reaffirms his status after years of unjust and incomprehensible neglect. Diamond's concert suite from the ballet TOM, based on Uncle Tom's Cabin, and This Sacred Ground, a setting of "Lincoln's Gettysburg Address," are pure Americana. In these celebratory works, Diamond's open-hearted music is readily accessible, enjoyable, and moving. No preparation is needed to appreciate Diamond's diatonic harmonies, straightforward melodies, and lean counterpoint. The Symphony No. 8, however, is a tougher piece to grasp since its language is partly derived from serial methods, and its rhetoric is not immediately apparent. Yet this symphony is far from unintelligible, for Diamond's overriding sense of melody gives the work a flowing quality, and his firm orchestration gives the music shape and clarity. While this piece is not overtly nationalistic, it is nonetheless a seriously argued essay in the robust American tradition, and no more difficult than Copland's or Schuman's works in a similar vein. The Seattle Symphony, directed by Gerard Schwarz, is fully committed in all three works, as might be expected from such stalwart champions of Diamond's music. Remastered in 2004, the recording is vivid and clear.

© Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

CD 1
David Diamond Composer Suite from the ballet TOM, for orchestra Work Recorded 1992 23:11 Seattle Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz Conductor
1	Fanfare	1:01			$0.99
2	Prelude to Episode I	2:18			$0.99
3	Introduction and Dance of the Benevolent Master & Mistress	2:14			$0.99
4	Eliza's Supplication	0:58			$0.99
5	The Mortgage	1:04			$0.99
6	Dance of the Slavetraders and Human Bloodhounds	1:09			$0.99
7	Dance of Thankfulness for Freedom	3:40			$0.99
8	Dance of New England and New Orleans	2:21			$0.99
9	Entrance of Eva	2:20			$0.99
10	Tom's Dance of Revelation Through The eternal Word	1:26			$0.99
11	Music Accompanying Eva's Departure and Ascent into Heaven Accompanied by Angels	2:54			$0.99
12	Choral Spiritual - Conclusion	1:46			$0.99
David Diamond Composer This Sacred Ground, for choir, soloists & orchestra Work Recorded 1994 Seattle Symphony Chorale Chorus/Choir, Northwest Boychoir Chorus/Choir, Seattle Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Seattle Girls' Choir Chorus/Choir, Gerard Schwarz Conductor, Erich Parce Baritone
13	This Sacred Ground, for choir, soloists & orchestra	15:30			$2.49
David Diamond Composer Symphony No.8 Work Recorded 1993 30:13 Seattle Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz Conductor
14	Moderato - Adagio - Allegro vivo	13:24			$2.49
15	Theme (Adagio), Variations and Double Fugue	16:49			$2.99