Recording Review

Craig Russell. Rhapsody for Horn and Orchestra. Middle Earth. Gate City—A Methodist Hymn. Richard Todd, French horn. San Luis Obispo Symphony; Michael Nowak, conductor. Liner notes by Craig H. Russell. 2003. Naxos American Classics 8.559168.

This recording provides an opportunity to assess three dimensions of American music: an outstanding regional orchestra, a rising composer of the post–American Wave school, and a hornist in the native virtuosic tradition. More important, however, the listening experience is pure joy, extending from the beauty and craft of Craig Russell’s music to the astonishing technique and musicality of hornist Richard Todd.