The American Seasons is an album by Mark O'Connor

Mark O'Connor

Mark O'Connor is an American bluegrass, jazz, country and classical violinist fiddler, composer and music teacher. O'Connor's music is wide-ranging, critically acclaimed, and he has received numerous awards for both his playing and his composition...

, recorded with the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Scott Yoo. It is composed of three original orchestral works by O'Connor. First is his piece for violin

Violin

The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....

 and orchestra

Orchestra

An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...

, "The American Seasons" loosely structurally based upon Vivaldi's

Antonio Vivaldi

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...

 "The Four Seasons"

The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos by Antonio Vivaldi. Composed in 1723, The Four Seasons is Vivaldi's best-known work, and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque music. The texture of each concerto is varied, each resembling its respective season...

, and is conceptually a piece on American life, grounded in American folk music

American folk music

American folk music is a musical term that encompasses numerous genres, many of which are known as traditional music or roots music. Roots music is a broad category of music including bluegrass, country music, gospel, old time music, jug bands, Appalachian folk, blues, Cajun and Native American...

. "Strings & Threads Suite" follows, which traces O'Connor's "version of how folk music on the violin evolved in America" (liner notes) through thirteen pieces in progressively more modern styles. The album concludes with an arrangement of O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz, arranged for orchestra without soloist.

Track listing

All music was written by Mark O'Connor

Mark O'Connor

Mark O'Connor is an American bluegrass, jazz, country and classical violinist fiddler, composer and music teacher. O'Connor's music is wide-ranging, critically acclaimed, and he has received numerous awards for both his playing and his composition...

.

1. "The American Seasons - Spring" – 7:39
2. "The American Seasons - Summer" – 9:41
3. "The American Seasons - Fall" – 5:50
4. "The American Seasons - Winter" – 14:36
5. "Strings & Threads Suite I. Fair Dancer Reel" – 1:17
6. "Strings & Threads Suite II. Sailor's Jig" – 0:48
7. "Strings & Threads Suite III. Captain's Jig" – 0:42
8. "Strings & Threads Suite IV. Off to Sea" – 0:56
9. "Strings & Threads Suite V. Pilgrim's Waltz" – 1:20
10. "Strings & Threads Suite VI. Road to Appalachia" – 0:57
11. "Strings & Threads Suite VII. Shine On" – 2:07
12. "Strings & Threads Suite VIII. Cotton Pickin' Blues" – 1:45
13. "Strings & Threads Suite IX. Pickin' Parlor Rag" – 1:03
14. "Strings & Threads Suite X. Queen of the Cumberland" – 1:13
15. "Strings & Threads Suite XI. Texas Dance Hall Blues" – 1:09
16. "Strings & Threads Suite XII. Swing" – 0:57
17. "Strings & Threads Suite XIII. Sweet Suzanne" – 1:15
18. "Appalachia Waltz" – 6:53

Personnel

• Mark O'Connor
  Mark O'Connor
  Mark O'Connor is an American bluegrass, jazz, country and classical violinist fiddler, composer and music teacher. O'Connor's music is wide-ranging, critically acclaimed, and he has received numerous awards for both his playing and his composition...
  
   - Violin
  Violin
  The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
  
  
• Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra
• Scott Yoo - Conductor
  Conducting
  Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
  
  

also

• Steven Epstein - Producer
• Richard King - Engineer