The complete set of Copland's Old American Songs, arranged here for mixed choir and piano by David Brunner, Irving Fine, Glenn Koponen, Gregory Rose, and R. Wilding-White collected for the first time in a complete edition. Includes the original notes on the songs.
The first set of Old American songs was completed in 1950, the same year that Copland finished his other major song set, Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson. On October 17, 1950 the first set was given its world premiere by Pears with Britten at the piano at the Aldeburgh festival. The success of the first set prompted Copland to set five more songs. Copland later orchestrated both sets for medium voice and small orchestra.
Set I:
1. The Boatmen's Dance
2. The Dodger
3. Long Time Ago
4. Simple Gifts
5. I Bought Me A Cat
Set II:
1. The Little Horses
2. Zion's Walls
3. The Golden Willow Tree
4. At The River
5. Ching-a-ring Chaw
