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List Price: $8.99 | | Label: Naxos American
Salesrank: 90335
Released: May 17, 2005 |
| Our Price: $3.67 |
| Used Price: $2.09 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Peter Boyer: Ellis Island: The Dream of America Track Listing:
1. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Prologue
2. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Words of Helen Cohen, emigrated from Poland in 1920, read by Blair Bro
3. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Interlude 1
4. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Words of James Apanomith, emigrated from Greece in 1911, read by Louis
5. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Interlude 2
6. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Words of Lillian Galleta, emigrated from Italy in 1928, read by Olympi
7. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Interlude 3
8. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Words of Lazarus Salamon, emigrated from Hungary in 1920, read by Eli
9. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Interlude 4
10. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Words of Helen Rosenthal, emigrated form Belgium in 1940, read by Bebe
11. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Interlude 5
12. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Words of Manny Steen, emigrated from Ireland in 1925, read by Barry Bo
13. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Interlude 6
14. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Words of Katherine Beychock, emigrated from Russia in 1910, read by An
15. Ellis Island: The Dream of America, for narrators & orchestra: Epilogue: "The New Colossus" (Emma Lazarus, 1883), read by all actors
Peter Boyer: Ellis Island: The Dream of America Reviews:
Powerful 
2009-10-07 - This is an incredible piece of music with actors speaking the writings of people who went through Ellis Island. The music is rich, exciting, terrifying, beautiful and very powerful. It brought tears to my eyes many times. And if you are ever wondering why America has been important to people from around the world, listen to this work and know that these ideals remain true today.
Ellis Island - A Fine Balance of Art and Accessibility
2007-05-14 - Finding the balance between art and its initial accessibility to an intended audience can be one of the greatest challenges facing the contemporary composer. Too much art, and new music loses the competition for the listener's ear to the great composers of history. Too little art, and new music begins to sound shallow after a few listenings. Peter Boyer's "Ellis Island" is both accessible and deep, deep enough to listen to again and again. For we who are Americans, "Ellis Island" even carries us beyond the art of music and inspires us to remember what has historically made America great.
"Ellis Island" creatively uses the narratives of seven people who came to America through the immigration station at Ellis Island as a general structure for its large form and its initial accessibility. Distinguished actors such as Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis, and Tony Award winner Barry Bostwick capably personify the narratives. Combined with multi-media pictures when performed live, "Ellis Island" is gaining momentum and popularity by being programmed by increasing numbers of orchestras across America.
Boyer's themes are memorable, even singable. Because the subject of this work is part of American history, the orchestral colors are appropriately reminiscent of Aaron Copland's "American" works. Like a great film score, "Ellis Island" gives a theme to each of its colorful, narrated characters and then combines them all into one highly enjoyable, even inspiring symphonic work.
21st Century Composer Presents Another Outstanding Offering in "Ellis Island"
2006-02-07 - Extensive play of Peter Boyer's earlier recording "The Music of Peter Boyer" (which unfortunately is now out of print) by our local classical music station prompted my orginal and on going interest in this music from a gifted young composer. "Ellis Island" offers the listener a stunning and varied music mix and textures in various classical forms and formats to meet and enhance the context of the different narrations much in the way a musical score enhances and magnifies the story quality and emotion felt with the soundtrack of a movie or musical. While the use of accompanying narration or story telling is not new to the genre this particular piece has a truely American quality that those of us with any knowledge of our immigrant roots can relate. One can relate in one way or another to almost all the stories.
This recording fits nicely with other NAXOS recording in this series. Music that is sometimes not often heard or recorded or may be new, but is none the less worthy of our attention and that of others because it is that good.
Mr. Boyer falls into the catagory of other 21st century composers I find myself listening to-Joseph Curiale, Michael Torke, John Adams and others-who are carrying on the traditons of giants of the 20th century-Copeland, Elmer Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein and others-and taking this rich traditon of music to the next level and beyond. After "Ellis Island" I am anxiously looking forward to Mr. Boyer's next compositions and recording.
Inspiring piece of music and history 
2005-10-03 - Perhaps I am a sucker for anything about Ellis Island since both my parents came to this country through Ellis Island. Be that as it may, I thorougly enjoyed the spoken stories of immigrants and the musical interludes (which reminded me of Aaron Copland). The music moved me and I thought the mix of music and spoken sections was very effective. I recommend it.
Ellis Island brought tears to my eyes, loved it!
2005-08-03 - I really enjoyed the music and readings. Bought extra so I could use them as gifts.
