NTSC.
The classic 1939 documentary film with a world-premiere newly recorded Copland’s score.
Post-Classical Ensemble conducted by Angel Gil-Ordóñezr
Francis Guinan, narrator
Made for the 1939 New York World’s Fair (“The World of Tomorrow”), The City is a seminal documentary film distinguished for the organic integration of narration (scripted by city planner Lewis Mumford), cinematography (Ralph Steiner and Willard Van Dyke), and music (Aaron Copland). The score, arguably Copland’s highest achievement in film, was also his ticket to Hollywood; it has been called “an astonishing missing link not only in the genesis of Copland’s Americana style but in American music and cinema” (Mark Swed, The Los Angeles Times). As the film contains no sound effects and minor narration, it is possible to create a fresh soundtrack and discover musical riches inaudible on the original monaural recording. As Copland created no suite from The City, the present DVD at the same time marks the WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING of this music in its entirety.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
The City with the original 1939 soundtrack featuring narrator Morris Carnovsky.
A documentary film from the Greenbelt Museum.
A conversation with Joseph Horowitz, the legendary film maker.