American Salute: Spirit Of The Nation / Various American Salute: Spirit Of The Nation / Various CD

American Salute: Spirit of the Nation is a tasteful collection of orchestral pieces devoted to the history and vitality of the United States. Performed by a series of orchestras, highlights include Aaron Copland's sweeping "Hoe Down," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," and Ferde Grof?'s "Grand Canyon Suite 'Sunrise'," during which the anticipation of the sun hitting the lip of the canyon is palpable. The introspective moments of "Variations on 'America'" and Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" are also a nice touch, as they offset the collection's more bombastic moments. Basic versions of the "Star Spangled Banner" and "Stars and Stripes Forever" round out the set.

1. An American Salute - Morton Gould 2. Rodeo 'Hoe Down' - Aaron Copland 3. Hail to the Spirit of Liberty - John Philip Sousa 4. Pan Americana - Victor Herbert 5. Foster Gallery 'Camptown Races' - Morton Gould 6. Sunrise - Ferde Grofe 7. Liberty Fanfare - John Williams 8. Adagio for Strings - Samuel Barber 9. Variations on 'America' - Charles Ives 10. Amber Waves - Morton Gould 11. Battle Hymn of the Republic - Anonymous 12. Stars and Stripes Forever - John Philip Sousa 13. Star Spangled Banner - Francis Scott Key