BARBER, Samuel: Symphs 1, 2 / First Essay [Naxos, FLAC, art, cue, log, MEGA]

Own EAC rip of purchased CD.
Liner notes in LOG file.

G. Lucas used WW2 dogfight footage to design his final battle sequences for ANH (1977). Barber was conscripted into the Army Air Corps (WWII) and commissioned by the Govt. to write music for the service; Sym 2 (1942) was among those commissioned compositions. Its theme was "flying" and "air battles". Maybe … John Williams heard some of the rare recordings of this Symp. as he was scoring that final battle.

This Naxos version of Symp. 2 is, IMO, the best performance (and recording) thus far! [Yes, I’ve heard all others including Barber’s self-conducted perf. from 1950s]…and I even think Alsop is usually sub-par … but not in this case.

The Naxos Symp 2 is a must-hear–it’s prototype and paradigm "film" music!

For Symph. 1, Zinman/Baltimore (Thread 176378) is, by far, the better performance tho’ this Naxos CD is better recorded.
Also, see Wimpel69’s thread for A. Schenk’s/NZSO’s Barber material (Thread 171758).

Gramophone, July 2010:
The highlight probably of Marin Alsop and the RNSO�s Barber cycle Alsop�s violent account of the Second Symphony doesn�t compromise Barber�s vision�as perhaps he might have wanted her to�

Richard Dyer:
The Boston Globe, January 2009
[Alsop] conducts with commitment, flair, and taste, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra plays well for her.

Penguin Guide, January 2009
http://www.naxos.com/SharedFiles/images/ratings/penguin_ssss-kr.gif
The two symphonies are played on Naxos with passionate commitment and deep lyrical feeling by the Scottish orchestra. The account of the complete Second Symphony will surely confirm the reputation of a wartime work which the composer partly withdrew in despondency after its neglect. The First Essay for Orchestra also generates a powerful atmosphere when played with such depth of feeling. With spectacular recording, this exciting collection is very strongly recommended.

https://mega.co.nz/#!kloH3K4b!tb1gbRL4LC35x3GIT-blUytgk5jR0KgsiIygCcLFk4I

…more info at Naxos… (http://www.naxos.com/reviews/reviewslist.asp?catalogueid=8.559024&languageid=EN#28990)