Keith Lockhart, Utah Symphony - Symphonic Dances (2006) CD-Rip

Called Symphonic Dances, this disc serves a four-fold purpose. First, it serves the purpose of returning Keith Lockhart to the catalog. After landing a contract with RCA leading the Boston Pops Orchestra, Lockhart returns here leading the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Lockhart has clearly grown since his time with the Boston Pops: his conducting here is well-judged, well-balanced, and well-executed. Second, it serves the purpose of returning the Utah Symphony to the catalog. After a long-term contract with Vanguard in the '60s and '70s led by Maurice Abravanel, the Utah returns here led by Lockhart, their music director since 1998. Likewise, the Utah has grown since their days with Abravanel: their playing here is strong, sincere and fully professional. Third, it serves the purpose of introducing young Peruvian composer Gabriela Lena Frank. In her work Three Latin American Dances, Frank reveals herself to be a rhythmically vivacious and sensuously colorful composer. Fourth and perhaps most importantly, it serves the purpose of recording orchestral spectaculars by Bernstein and Rachmaninov on Reference Recordings. Although both Bernstein and Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances have been recorded many, many times before, these recordings are incredibly honest and unbelievably realistic: every detail, every color, every nuance is absolutely accurate and faithfully registered. While one could certainly prefer other recordings of either Bernstein's or Rachmaninov's works -- Bernstein's own recording of his Symphonic Dances is hard to beat for sheer energy and enthusiasm, and Ormandy's recording of Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances is hard to beat for verve and drive -- Lockhart and the Utah's performance of Frank's Three Latin American Dances is hard to beat for dedication and commitment -- and besides, it's the only available recording.