This Paramount musical short stars Ferde Grofe and his orchestra playing a middle-brow work, full of chorale works derived from traditional and popular songs of Americana. The camera-work is simple; the players stand on a minimalist Arte Moderne stage and the music is orchestrated a bit more highbrow than popular. It lacks the dignity of Aaron Copland works or the silliness of Leroy Anderson, two popular mid-century composers who are the closest I can compare this to -- Gershwin remains in a class by himself.
It's sort of interesting to see how serious musicians were trying to give Americana its place in world music in the era, but the effect is not as good as one could wish. Stick to the Boston Pops.
It's sort of interesting to see how serious musicians were trying to give Americana its place in world music in the era, but the effect is not as good as one could wish. Stick to the Boston Pops.
