Leroy Anderson: An American Treasure, Unjustly Neglected

At my Master's Conducting Recital, I conducted Plink, Plank, Plunk as an encore...immediately after the Shostakovich Chamber Symphony op. 110a. I couldn't think of a more appropriate way to bring everyone back from the depths than with Leroy Anderson. One of my absolute favorite composers, and I appreciate this post and look forward to hearing this disc immensely.

I had the pleasure of playing (and hearing) the Anderson Piano Concerto for the very first time last season with Jeffrey Biegel as soloist. It was such a satisfying piece to play, especially from a seat in the viola section, where you get to hear everything.

I hope (selfishly) that it truly enters, as it should, into the standard repertoire, because I would love to play it again. And again, and again.

I too hope that the Anderson Concerto enters the repertoire. It is a perfectly fine, valid alternative to the Gershwin -- which frankly should also be more in the repertoire than it is. Let's hope that we do honor our own in the future more than we have in the past.
-Henry

Hey it took Scott Joplin about 50 years after his death to enter the discussion as a great American composer. Anderson just hasn't been gone long enough!

Thank you, Henry, for bringing the delightful genius of Leroy Anderson to your readers. There are many who are now aware of the wide-ranging output of Mr. Anderson, and I am grateful to you for bringing your thoughts about his 'Concerto in C', in particular, to your blog. It is well-crafted, and simply a pleasure to listen to--and play! Credits to Erich Kunzel surely, who recorded it first in 1992, and suggested I contact the Anderson family after attending his performance of the concerto the evening prior to his recording sessions in Cincinnati. Leonard Slatkin is the obvious choice for conducting the complete series of Anderson's works for Naxos. Having been responsible for so many premieres and new works on record, Maestro Slatkin's love for Anderson's music is evident in his interpretations with the BBC Concert Orchestra. I enjoyed our sessions together greatly! There are new treasures, and faithful renditions of the morsels we all know and love. But in listening to the complete series (volume 3 is now available), one can hear the melodic, harmonic and rhythmic language which is fresh and ear-catching. That Anderson studied with Walter Piston at Harvard and was fluent in many languages attests to his immense musical gifts and universal appeal. Thanks for sharing this, Henry; it is hopeful that your readers at the orchestras and music directors worldwide will take special interest in Anderson's music, and of course, I always enjoy performing the 'Concerto in C'!

Wasn't it Noel Coward who once said: "A great nation should not treat its light music lightly."

It's worth repeating the famous remark Brahms made in reference to the Blue Danube of Johann Strauss, Jr.: Unfortunately not by me.
I trust these recordings (I've just purchased the third volume!) will indeed inspire more performances of the finely crafted works of Leroy Anderson.