Richard Danielpour
An American Requiem
Various Artists
Reference Recordings
B-
Richard Danielpour’s “An American Requiem”, with the gravitas of a Clint Eastwood western and the pomp of a Macy’s parade, is as American as it gets- or so it tries to be. While Danielpour’s musical craftsmanship is certainly commendable, the piece occasionally comes across as a well-intended but overcooked hamburger – juicy and flavorful at first bite, but leaving a somewhat gristly aftertaste.
The performers, a motley crew of classical virtuosos, do their best to breathe life into Danielpour’s grandiose vision. However, they seem to be frantically chasing the ghost of Copland rather than forging a distinctly 21st-century American sound. Though there are moments of stirring emotion and subtle brilliance, they are overshadowed by the composition’s insistence on wearing its patriotism on its sleeve like an overly enthusiastic Boy Scout.
