Berlin Academy of American Music/ Garrett Keast - Transatlantic

Transatlantic is a beautifully curated album that reflects on the attraction of America to composers of many nationalities. Like so many European musicians fleeing war and persecution, Russian born Stravinsky became a US citizen. His concerto, Dumbarton Oaks, is featured alongside Dorman, an Israeli composer now domiciled in the US. Japanese composer Takemitsu's Toward The Sea, is a delicate and touching musical depiction of Melville's masterwork, Moby Dick. The program also includes two American born composers: Urquhart, who was Bernstein's assistant and pupil and Copland, who's ballet score, Appalachian Spring, projects what many consider to be the quintessential American sound of big landscapes. America has provided a home to so many composers, and in turn given the world so much great music - a two-way transatlantic musical affair.