ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK (b.1941): Symphony No. 1, 3 Spirituals, An American Port of Call, Fanfare on "Amazing Grace", Whitman's Journey: 1. Launch Out on Endless Seas for Bass, Chorus and Orchestra (Kevin Deas [bass], Virginia Symphony Chorus).

Description: The symphony is a classically proportioned four movement specimen, lively and appealing, in a thoroughly tonal idiom, like a kind of American George Lloyd, with traces of Bernstein and Prokofiev. The Spirituals dress the well known songs in colorful orchestration and warm, appealing harmonies. Bernstein is again recalled in the boisterous concert overture Port of Call, with its jazzy energy, depicting an American port city, while the orchestral fanfare does for 'Amazing Grace' what the spirituals do for their similarly familiar themes. The Whitman settings evoke the vigor and optimism of the young poet in the most serious and deeply felt, and sometimes bracingly dissonant (though as always, thoroughly accessible) music here. Texts included. Virginia Symphony Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta.